Ginger's Story

   In June of 2002,  I meet my first TRD. Fascinated by the breed, I started researching the internet for information. I read all I could about temperament and quirks. I found a rescuer in Ohio and contacted her. She had 2 dogs, both males, I needed a female. After a few weeks she forwarded a message from a rescue group in Washintong State. She had a female and 2 males for adoption - all related. She said Ginger was a pup. She was put into rescue at 9 months old. She had been sold as a family dog and was too rough for the children. Ginger was place a second time and lasted one week. This time she was too active.

   A picture was send to me, she was housebroken crate trained, loved people, Vet tolerant, after short adjustment period would get along with resident 10 years old male mixed breed.

   I was now told she was 21 months old. She was not eating well I was told several times. She was heartworm tested and Vet issued health certificate for flight after updating shots. She would arrive August 15th at 6:30 P.M. I bought food so she would not have to adjust immediately to many new things. Bought bed, leash, toys, and dishes. She had been surgically quieted to be more desirable for apartment dwellers. she could make some sounds and would get a little louder over time but never bark.

   We were all adults and willing to watch her more than we would a barking dog.

   I checked with the airport to be sure I knew where to go when she arrived. The airline called as we eating dinner, Ginger was arriving early. We left 10 minutes later. The travel crate was brought out and everyone was anxious to see this dog. I leashed her up and out she came. We well all horrified! She was all skin and bones. I exercised her before recrating for trip home. I had consulted a behaviorish that had suggested the 2 dogs meet on neutral ground. She charged him snarling and snapping. we knew this was not good. At the house we turned her loose in the fenced yard. She ran until exhausted. The rescuer had let her out of her crate 1 hour a day.

  She had difficulty eating, after checking her mouth we discovered a canine was cracked under the gum line. We had it extracted. What Vet doesn't look her mouth first? She had a Cyst grow on the back of her head. Vet removed that as she seemed to be chasing something above an behind her head. That was the first year medically. I took her to obedience school. she did pretty well. Down and stay were her weak points.

The following year she was limping and had hurt 2 of her 4 legs. Vet discoved discovered she had separated her nail from the bone. Limited exercise for 3 months. She doesn't heal quickly. We took her to visit our son at college 600 miles away. This trip convinced her she was here to stay. Her front foot would swell after exercise, Vet said degenerative arithiristis. Put her C&G twice a day. 8 months later her swelling is minimal. Her health problems are under control.

Two years later where is Ginger, she is calmer, still doesn't like other dog. Hates Vet. Came to me witha spinter in her foot. I removed it. Trust is there. She plays ball, loves car rides - the bank gives out dog cookies.

She has come along way. She is now very affectionate and visitors do not set her off. She knows this is her forever home.

My son was home for Winter Break fro college and did not leash to let her outside. She ran towards my daughters dog. Mom's rule was whoever let them get into another fight had to pay the Vet bills. My son is 6'3" and ran down the ball after her, she stopped as he attempted to step between them. His foot went over her head and this proud animal tucked her tail between her legs and ears down fled to the basement where I was. She was reduced to a quivering mass of fear, hiding by my side as if to melt into my leg. This covinced us she had at least been kicked. Her cracked canine and foot trauma couls easily have been the result. She would not acknowledge him for 3 days. He was totally traumatized also. He tried bribing her with goodies that normally no dog on our house would get. Nothing worked. She turned her back on him and would not even walk near him. Do TRD's hold grudges - YES. Remember - YES.

She since has forgiven him.

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Author : Ginger Mom's

 Jo-Ann Ford / Ohio, 24-Aug-2004.