“I’m a good girl! I promise…” That was what a little dog named Ginger seemed to be saying when she first arrived at Dogwood Animal Shelter in Missouri back in 2013.
She was only a couple of years old, but life had not been easy for her after someone abandoned her. The ordeal left her nervous and slow to trust, which made many visitors walk right past her.
© Dogwood Animal Shelter
Ginger spent day after day in a kennel, watching other dogs leave with their new families. She always hoped her turn would come, yet it never did. To some, she seemed unadoptable because she needed time to feel safe.
Day after day turned into month after month, and month after month turned into seven years. Ginger was no longer that young pup she once was. Her brown fur had sprinkles of white, and her face was showing signs of age. For a very long time, it felt like nothing in her life would ever change.
But even when life felt lonely, Ginger still had a little glimmer of hope in her heart. She kept peering out, waiting quietly for someone with enough kindness to see beyond her shaky start.
A Voice Against Sad Endings
In 2020, a shelter pet advocate named Scott Poore heard about Ginger’s situation. He worked with Mission Driven, and her story touched him deeply. He felt compelled to do something.
“It absolutely broke my heart, so I stopped what I was doing and dedicated all of my time to her,” Poore told The Dodo. “I started telling her story to anyone that would listen.”
That was the big break Ginger needed, and she had waited years for it. Before, very few people noticed her, but thanks to Poore’s efforts, her story started making the rounds. Soon, offers to adopt Ginger began rolling in.
A Surprise Second Chance
One person who heard about Ginger was Beth. She decided to step up and adopt this sweet older dog who had never really known what a real home felt like. Beth wanted Ginger to discover all the comforts and love she had missed.
You are here: Home / News / She Was Abandoned, Ignored, and Left to Age in a Shelter — Then Everything Changed
She Was Abandoned, Ignored, and Left to Age in a Shelter — Then Everything Changed
Last Modified: April 1, 2025 by Sylvia Silverstone | This post may contain affiliate links for products we love and suggest. The views expressed in the article are solely the author’s opinions.
“I’m a good girl! I promise…” That was what a little dog named Ginger seemed to be saying when she first arrived at Dogwood Animal Shelter in Missouri back in 2013.
She was only a couple of years old, but life had not been easy for her after someone abandoned her. The ordeal left her nervous and slow to trust, which made many visitors walk right past her.
© Dogwood Animal Shelter
Ginger spent day after day in a kennel, watching other dogs leave with their new families. She always hoped her turn would come, yet it never did. To some, she seemed unadoptable because she needed time to feel safe.
Day after day turned into month after month, and month after month turned into seven years. Ginger was no longer that young pup she once was. Her brown fur had sprinkles of white, and her face was showing signs of age. For a very long time, it felt like nothing in her life would ever change.
But even when life felt lonely, Ginger still had a little glimmer of hope in her heart. She kept peering out, waiting quietly for someone with enough kindness to see beyond her shaky start.
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Also read: Abandoned and Broken, This Starving Dog Was Waiting to Die Until a Stranger Refused to Walk Away
A Voice Against Sad Endings
In 2020, a shelter pet advocate named Scott Poore heard about Ginger’s situation. He worked with Mission Driven, and her story touched him deeply. He felt compelled to do something.
“It absolutely broke my heart, so I stopped what I was doing and dedicated all of my time to her,” Poore told The Dodo. “I started telling her story to anyone that would listen.”
That was the big break Ginger needed, and she had waited years for it. Before, very few people noticed her, but thanks to Poore’s efforts, her story started making the rounds. Soon, offers to adopt Ginger began rolling in.
A Surprise Second Chance
One person who heard about Ginger was Beth. She decided to step up and adopt this sweet older dog who had never really known what a real home felt like. Beth wanted Ginger to discover all the comforts and love she had missed.
When Ginger entered her new home, she was shy and cautious. She had spent so long in that shelter kennel that her world felt small. Now, she was surrounded by warmth and gentle voices. For the first time, she was able to relax.
Ginger Finds Her Confidence
Day by day, Ginger began to open up more. She walked around her new environment and bravely explored corners of the house that once scared her. She tasted treats, got belly rubs, and started learning that humans could be safe and kind.
“100 percent, there was a transformation,” Beth told The Dodo. “She was very skittish and protective at first. Now she will walk into a new environment with her head held high.
Seeing her jump on a bed or walk on floors and be able to be a dog was amazing to see. She is not this fragile shelter dog anymore. She knows her name and she stands bold with it.”
Ginger settled into her sleep space without having to worry about being abandoned again. She discovered little joys that seemed like new puzzles: climbing onto a couch or a bed, sniffing around the yard, and wiggling in excitement when Beth came home.
You are here: Home / News / She Was Abandoned, Ignored, and Left to Age in a Shelter — Then Everything Changed
She Was Abandoned, Ignored, and Left to Age in a Shelter — Then Everything Changed
Last Modified: April 1, 2025 by Sylvia Silverstone | This post may contain affiliate links for products we love and suggest. The views expressed in the article are solely the author’s opinions.
“I’m a good girl! I promise…” That was what a little dog named Ginger seemed to be saying when she first arrived at Dogwood Animal Shelter in Missouri back in 2013.
She was only a couple of years old, but life had not been easy for her after someone abandoned her. The ordeal left her nervous and slow to trust, which made many visitors walk right past her.
© Dogwood Animal Shelter
Ginger spent day after day in a kennel, watching other dogs leave with their new families. She always hoped her turn would come, yet it never did. To some, she seemed unadoptable because she needed time to feel safe.
Day after day turned into month after month, and month after month turned into seven years. Ginger was no longer that young pup she once was. Her brown fur had sprinkles of white, and her face was showing signs of age. For a very long time, it felt like nothing in her life would ever change.
But even when life felt lonely, Ginger still had a little glimmer of hope in her heart. She kept peering out, waiting quietly for someone with enough kindness to see beyond her shaky start.
A Voice Against Sad Endings
In 2020, a shelter pet advocate named Scott Poore heard about Ginger’s situation. He worked with Mission Driven, and her story touched him deeply. He felt compelled to do something.
“It absolutely broke my heart, so I stopped what I was doing and dedicated all of my time to her,” Poore told The Dodo. “I started telling her story to anyone that would listen.”
That was the big break Ginger needed, and she had waited years for it. Before, very few people noticed her, but thanks to Poore’s efforts, her story started making the rounds. Soon, offers to adopt Ginger began rolling in.
A Surprise Second Chance
One person who heard about Ginger was Beth. She decided to step up and adopt this sweet older dog who had never really known what a real home felt like. Beth wanted Ginger to discover all the comforts and love she had missed.
When Ginger entered her new home, she was shy and cautious. She had spent so long in that shelter kennel that her world felt small. Now, she was surrounded by warmth and gentle voices. For the first time, she was able to relax.
Also read: Woman spends a month trying to help stray dog whose head was stuck in a jug
Ginger Finds Her Confidence
Day by day, Ginger began to open up more. She walked around her new environment and bravely explored corners of the house that once scared her. She tasted treats, got belly rubs, and started learning that humans could be safe and kind.
“100 percent, there was a transformation,” Beth told The Dodo. “She was very skittish and protective at first. Now she will walk into a new environment with her head held high.
Seeing her jump on a bed or walk on floors and be able to be a dog was amazing to see. She is not this fragile shelter dog anymore. She knows her name and she stands bold with it.”
Ginger settled into her sleep space without having to worry about being abandoned again. She discovered little joys that seemed like new puzzles: climbing onto a couch or a bed, sniffing around the yard, and wiggling in excitement when Beth came home.
Also read: Pitbull Mom Can’t Hold Back Tears After Being Abandoned Without Her Puppies
The True Joy Of Starting Over
Time moved quickly. Ginger, who arrived at the shelter as a young dog, was now growing old in a real home. She was about 10 years old by the time she finally left Dogwood Animal Shelter, but it felt like her life was just beginning.
“She is an old girl, but very puppy like nowadays,” Beth said. That puppy-like spirit came from finally having the safety and comfort every dog deserves.
Ginger even stepped into Beth’s life at a time filled with change. Beth had been a young adult moving through her own challenges with anxiety, and she says Ginger was with her through so much personal growth. They faced their fears together.
“Ginger and I have definitely grown together. I feel like when I got her, we were both kids entering adulthood together,” Beth said. “I think the most important thing Ginger taught me is that it is okay to start over… that no matter what life gives you, there is a better tomorrow. You cannot grow in the same place that broke you. We are thriving together now.”
The Power Of Giving A Chance
Ginger is not the only dog who waited ages in a shelter, hoping for a person to look at her with compassion. Many others are out there right now, longing for a new start. Her story shows that no matter how many years pass, hope can shine through with the right person involved.
Beth knows there are countless animals still left behind in kennels, just like Ginger was. She believes anyone can help if they open their hearts to an at-risk pet.
“I want to challenge more people to adopt the unadoptable or long term animal and give them a second chance to love and live,” Beth said.
Ginger is proof that it is never too late to find your place in this world. All it takes is a helping hand and someone who believes in giving a dog like her a true home.
