With Her We're Better People (or It Only Takes the Spice of Ginger)
 

     I've had her now three years and three months. I remember being so excited. My husband supported the idea sort of, and my son, three at the time turning four, were bugging me with their 'masculinity'. Being seven months pregnant I knew I would really appreciate her 'feminine' qualities if she was a girl.
     Diane from GRREAT had inspected our house and found us to be suitable. We also had a six foot fence which turned out to be the key element that adoption day. We had prepared by going to a Maryland Golden competition in the rain. My son loved the Goldens. We were hugged and kissed and loved just 'because we were there; I was amazed how standing still Bart stood up on his hind legs and hugged me, and my baby. It made me want my adoption baby, even more. I had the list and I wasn't sure just exactly which one would be mine, I saw her the minute we walked in.
     We went to adoption day April 1997. It was in Springfield, VA at Petsmart. There were many that day, six, there are so many. She was there. Everyone was standing around her. She was so beautiful, just standing there looking happy just being. Her hip was shaved, and she looked radiant. There was irony, the GRREAT volunteers said she would bond to my husband. There wasn't a question, she bonded to me, I walked her and loved her instantly.
     That day there were six dogs and my 3 yr old son was with me and daddy. I was concerned about one dog, obviously abused, and growling and barking in the adoption surroundings. His foster daddy could barely control him pulling at his leash and telling him to stop. He wasn't adopted that day. I was worried about my son. He still has no fear of dogs and asked about the dog barking & growling dog. It was a good lesson for him to see that not every dog can be trusted, because humans had hurt him. I've learned that the dog became socialized with a great deal of love and dedication from GRREAT volunteers. He can now be stroked and remain calm. My son didn't understand, he wanted to be kind to the dog and turn him around that day. Now my son wants to be a veterinarian or a paleontologist. But that day, there was only one thing for us to do. Adopt my girl!
     She stood peacefully with her black collar, matching leash and blue GRREAT bandana. Six families signed up for her. Ginger, the most beautiful golden retriever I've ever seen. She had a shaved hip; because she had been hit on the Fairfax County Parkway a four lane highway surrounding many newly built homes in Northern Virginia. She jumped three foot 'fence' the family had, and ran after an animal, we were told that day. We had a fence so the of the six families, that signed up for her, we got her because we had the six foot privacy fence! Hooray!
     Dr. Walker did her hip replacement in January of 1997, then she recovered at a very experienced foster home. By April she was ready and with tearful goodbyes, Ginger came home with us. I had entertained renaming her, bailey, golden bell, and other variations but she is the epitome of a Ginger Golden.
Her color is ginger and she is a sweet wonderful companion. Luckily for Ginger, her operation was the first time GRREAT had worked with Dr. Walker, I later found out. Thank goodness for the lab technician who said SAVE THIS DOG! And thank goodness for Dr. Walker. I understand Dr. Walker continues to donate surgeries and time to our special Goldens. There is not enough space to say thanks, 10,000 times, and it still wouldn't be enough.
     Ginger is my girl. She sleeps only with me on the floor (carpeted) next to
my side of the bed. She snores, and I love it. Sometimes she gets doggy daycare (spoiling) with my mother and father, one mile away. My seven year old, formerly the four year old, has to walk her the minute he comes home from school. He walks with Grandpa, my father and they spend ½ an hour going over the day and preparing for homework. His autism is only slightly noticeable to people on the street, which I attribute greatly to the patience of my dog in enduring his 'affection' and his ability to be drawn out by her and our efforts as parents.
     My parents had a dog I found at the Pittsburgh animal shelter adopting her
Christmas of 1984. She lived 16 years because my mom and dad took such good care of her. I'm doing the same for my Ginger. And, thankfully, with the planned parting of Sandy, August 9th, we all have Ginger which eases the pain of missing such a dear friend. I'm so grateful for my 'feminine' companion and her presence after such a good friend, my Sandy, went on to heaven.
     Three months after Ginger came, my second bundle came. Smartest thing I ever did, adopting my girl. The older boy had his Ginger dog, and helped ease the stress of the new baby. The first week home with the baby, Ginger barked upstairs. I ran and found Graham pounding on my babies chest. Ginger knew it was wrong. I thankfully still had all my babies and was so thankful for Ginger and her intelligence.
     She walked with me every day before I had my son. I was walking her with my mom when I went into labor. She has helped me get ready for so many things with her gentleness and her total love for me. This dog was meant for me, and I'm sure there are adoption dogs just right for you. For me, she has been one of the most wonderful additions to my life. I've committed myself to the breed and to continuing the rescue of these animals. I will adopt again within the year. Having one Golden is a great joy, an even greater one is two!
     If you have any questions about adopting or mixing with families and young or special children, please contact me and I'd love to share with you what I've seen work.