Ginger

Ginger was a female mixed poodle/terrier ?
Adopted in March 2004 under her APR name of Natalie.
In March of 2004 I lost my dog Tara, who was 17. She had been "the" dog for my three sons as they grew up. It was tough losing the connection to my boys' childhoods, but I figured I didn't need another dog just for me.
I went to APR in late March to donate the last of Tara's food. I saw Natalie jumping between pens and socializing with all the dogs. She was curly and poodle-like and looked like the first dog we had ever had.
I petted her through the fence, and of course, a volunteer brought out for me to just get to know. My heart was grieving, but the volunteer encouraged me to foster Natalie for a week. The next Saturday I was back with my granddaughter Amanda, who was 9 at the time, and I officially adopted Natalie and renamed her Ginger.
She adjusted quickly to my house and loved me and my ever expanding group of grandchildren. We added 6 more during the last 6 years. She taught them about how to pet dogs, bathe them, walk them and pick up poop. All of my grandchildren love dogs because of Ginger. In fact, one granddaughter was using the word Ginger in place of dog at first.
Ginger was the best dog, and she was truly my dog. She picked me out and loved me and kept me company at every step. Everyone who met her loved her brown eyes and her insistent way of getting petted. I really thought Ginger would be with me for many years.
But that wasn't to be. She developed lymphoma in November of 2009. My son, who is a veterinarian, helped with treatments and biopsies. None of us wanted to believe the diagnosis. She lasted two extra months, but her tumors slowed her down so much the last month. She was loved and played with, and she enjoyed her life to the end.
Thank you APR for a wonderful pet and the six years I had her.