Ginger: The Dog Who Surprised Everyone

Several years ago, when a county animal shelter needed to paint their floors, they asked no-kill shelters and rescuers to help them by taking as many dogs as possible.  The rest were to be euthanized.  LifeLine Animal Project responded by taking several dogs and cats into their no-kill shelter.  And when they saw that a dog and her puppies were going to be left behind, LifeLine took them too.

LifeLine helps hundreds of dogs each year through their rehabilitation program, giving them the individual care, medical treatment or behavioral training they need before they are ready for homes of their own.  Without LifeLine’s intervention, every one of these dogs would become a euthanasia statistic. 

The rescued dog, named Ginger by employees, was skinny, extremely shy, had no social skills and didn’t trust humans.  She had obviously been the victim of abuse and neglect, and her puppies were in such bad shape, that they didn’t make it.  However, LifeLine was committed to helping her, and Ginger received medical care and then socialization several times a day from employees and volunteers.  She also received daily training, and she slowly learned how to interact with male dogs in LifeLine’s play yard several times a day.  But even with all the training she received, Ginger was still painfully shy and didn’t seem to enjoy the company of humans.  Sadly, employees came to the conclusion that Ginger was beyond help.  They thought that she was unreachable and may have to live out her life in the shelter.  But they were wrong.  

One day, when it was time for Ginger to go for her walk with a volunteer, she perked up and wagged her tail, and when it was time for her play date in the play yard, she pounced around excitedly.  As the days went by, Ginger began acting more and more like a normal dog who liked humans!  She did so well, that LifeLine’s adoption team began taking her to weekend adoption events, where she gladly let adults and children pet her and fuss over her.

LifeLine is very happy to announce that Ginger is finally ready for her forever home.  This beautiful girl is now six year’s old, 50 lbs. and affectionate.  Ginger is crate and leash trained and gets along with cats and male dogs.  After all that she’s been through, Ginger deserves the good life!  Can you give her a great foster or forever home?  If so, please contact LifeLine at adoptions@lifelineanimal.org.

About LifeLine Animal Project

LifeLine Animal Project helps prevent unwanted pet litters through low-cost spay/neuter, helps make pet care affordable through low-cost and free vaccine clinics, saves the lives of special needs shelter animals through our rehabilitation facility, and saves feral cats through our trap-neuter-return program.  As the managing organization for Fulton County Animal Services, LifeLine is making Atlanta a lifesaving community. For more information on LifeLine Animal Project, please visit www.lifelineanimal.org.