When an abandoned dog named Ginger arrived at Dogwood Animal Shelter in Missouri, she, just like any other pup, hoped to leave quickly and find a loving home.
But her past left deep scars, and finding a forever family turned out to be much harder than she ever imagined.
Ginger struggled with trust issues and constant anxiety. Since no one wanted to give her the patience and love she needed, all she could do was wait and hope things would change.
Sadly, that day didn’t come for a very long time.
At The Shelter
For years, Ginger remained in her kennel at the Missouri shelter, watching as potential adopters walked past her without a second glance. Despite her sweet face, nobody seemed willing to take a chance on her.
As time passed, Ginger grew older. Her chocolate-colored fur began to turn white and gray, reflecting the long days behind shelter walls.
But while her appearance changed, her life stayed exactly the same.
She began to lose hope, convinced she might never know what it felt like to have a family of her own.
Then everything shifted when Scott Poore, a shelter pet advocate from Mission Driven, learned about her story and knew he had to step in.
“It absolutely broke my heart, so I stopped what I was doing and dedicated all of my time to her. I started telling her story to anyone that would listen,” Poore told The Dodo.
Thanks to him, Ginger’s luck finally turned.
New Life
Because of the attention her story received, people finally began to notice Ginger.
Among them was Beth, who instantly felt that this overlooked pup deserved to spend the rest of her life surrounded by love.
Bringing Ginger home gave her back the hope she had lost after so many years of waiting. She blossomed, showing bursts of puppy-like energy that had been hidden away.
“100 percent, there was a transformation. 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’s not this fragile shelter dog anymore. She knows her name and she stands bold with it,” Beth told The Dodo.
Life for Ginger finally began when she was already a senior.
Though she faces some health challenges now, Ginger embraces every day with joy.
And it wasn’t just her life that changed—Beth’s did too.
Before adopting Ginger, Beth was a young adult struggling with anxiety and trying to find her way. With Ginger by her side, she grew more confident, building a happy and stable life filled with love.
“Ginger and I have definitely grown together. I feel like when I got her, we were both kids entering adulthood together. I think the most important thing Ginger taught me is that it’s okay to start over … that no matter what life gives you, there’s a better tomorrow — you can’t grow in the same place that broke you. We are thriving together now,” Beth said.
Final Word
Sadly, Ginger is just one of many dogs who spend years waiting in shelters, often overlooked because of their age, scars, or fears.
But every single one of them deserves the chance to be loved.
That someone who changes everything for a dog could be you. Visit your local shelter—you might find the one who’s been waiting for you all along.“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 concluded.