Precious Ginger's organs finally failed, she has gone to the bridge. The world is a quiet, drab place without her feisty self in it.

Ginger encouraged all pack members to get their steps in on a daily basis by running a few yards ahead then looking back with an expression that very clearly conveyed "ya'll coming?"

On walks in the park, mystified little children with her obviously protruding lower canines, causing children to ask "What happened to her teeth?"

Even when all her teeth but a few rear molars had fallen out, would keep all other canines away from her food with growls, snarls, and showing of mostly toothless gums.

Ginger was always ready to sample and approve or disapprove of meat being prepared in the kitchen, then apply her long tongue expertise to prep dishes for the dishwasher.

No matter where she was, would wake from sound sleep at 9 pm and march around until she received her bedtime treat of beef lung soaked in water.

After once almost finding mouse under back steps, continued to check for vermin on every trip to backyard until wooden steps were replaced with bricks that discouraged vermin from hanging out near our back door.

Ginger inspired other canines to take it outside during inclement weather by running out to do her business with one paw on patio and one in snow. When weather really, really, awful, willing to lead off a pee session on turf in garage.

Ginger annoyed other canines by being small enough to fit her 10 pound self into spaces much too small for her bigger (18 to 28 pound) pack mates to squeeze in when hunting mice in the wood pile.

When walking deserted country roads Ginger generated much exasperation by chasing a skunk from one culvert to the next until thoroughly saturated with skunk "perfume." Finished up this escapade by taking off across the yard at a high gallop to escape the multiple baths necessary so she could sleep in the house.

When visiting country relatives in chilly temps, quickly took over dogloo sized for 100 pound dog while waiting for all other dogs to finish their business.

She adored visiting grandmas house so she could use front and rear ramps on/off deck to make round after round of grandma's yard hunting for cats, wayward chickens, and the occasional snoozing possum.

Enjoyed kicking off vacations at VRBO cabin by exiting the car, having a pee, then waiting on front porch with obvious impatience for key to front door to be removed from lock box. While at cabin, transformed into an early riser, springing out of bed anxious to get the day started by snoozing on heated front passenger seat while all other canines were enjoying morning walk.

I will be missing her shenanigans for quite awhile.

Our sweet Sienna crossed the bridge leaving her foster Mom with a broken heart.  Godspeed sweet girl.  Meet you at the bridge. 

It is with great sadness that we let you know that Baxter died 03/20/2023.  We have had him for just about eight years and he was a fighter given what life gave him early in his life.  After getting the dog form of Crohn's disease three and half years ago, he had to put with me cooking him Sweet potatoes, tilapia, and pasta, weekly, Baxter decided that he did not like that anymore.  He started losing weight as we tried to find something else he could eat while still taking the five medications so he would absorb some of the nutrients from his food.  Well he lost over 7 pounds and weighed around 12 pounds when he passed early this morning.  He was such a good boy.  He got over his PTSD and everyone he met was his friend.  Always wanted attention and was vocal about it right up to the end.  His thing was scratching your foot with his paw when he wanted to be pet and have his neck scratched since his marionette back legs could never scratch his neck as we would have liked.  We will miss him tremendously.  He brought such joy and life to our home.  We just wanted to let you know that he has crossed the rainbow bridge and we look forward to seeing him at some point when he can run again.

Austin was a special boy and will always live near and dear to my heart.   The world even knew he was special and for that, he was born on one of the most special days of the year, Christmas.  Austin was born on December 25, 2006, in Giddings, Texas.  He came into my life suddenly.  I believe it was around July 2007 when I was over at a friend’s house visiting.  Her and I had been friends throughout middle school and high school, and we recently became reacquainted.  She told me she could no longer care for Austin (at this time his name was actually Doodle) and asked me if I wanted him.  I’ll admit, I was scared at first to say “yes” to such a huge responsibility.  I was in college getting my master’s degree and I had never owned a pet all on my own before, however; it didn’t take me long to agree to take him home.

When we finally got to my apartment that first day, he seemed so excited to start a new life in my home. Starting out, I remember how I discovered he wasn’t potty trained and how hard it was for me to get him to the point of knowing that he needed to “go outside to be a good boy”.   We had some hiccups when he dug a hole in the linoleum floor in the kitchen, when he tore up my roommate’s luggage, and also the time he escaped out the door and my roommate and her fiancé had to chase him down 4 blocks to the HEB.   The escape was funny to me later in life, but when I found out that it happened, I was in shock.  I’m so glad they were able to catch him that day; that little doxie could run.

Throughout life he was my very best friend.  I told him secrets I knew it would be hard for others to keep.  I confided in him, and he listened to me and loved me no matter what.  Austin loved squirrels, Beggin’ Strips, burrowing into my blankets to take naps, and my spaghetti sauce.   He disliked motorcycles and cows with a passion.  Whenever he would see them while we were on road trips, he would bark furiously at them until he made sure he “scared them away”.   My husband at the time and I would take him out to his parent’s land where Austin would “put the cows in their place” and show them who’s boss by barking at them and backing them away from us.  I always made sure he wasn’t super close to them though so I could make sure he’d stay safe of any stampede. 

Austin was a strong boy with a history of spinal issues.  Due to IVDD and a small mass on his spinal cord, he powered through two back surgeries: one in 2016 and the other in 2021.  However, because of his age, Austin was unable to withstand surgery a third time.  This time, the scar tissue from the previous surgery had hardened and was pushing into his spine.   My decision was very difficult, and like most others, I canceled “that appointment” several times in fear that I wasn’t making the right decision and thinking “there has to be more I can do”, but there wasn’t.  Austin crossed the Rainbow Bridge just like he entered this world, on a holiday: Cinco de Mayo, May 5^th, 2023.

Austin will be missed by many including his friend Sammy, his cousins Isabell and Chloe, and his grandpa and grandma.  He was beloved by many of my friends as well, but his two favorites were Trina and Katie. Trina declared that Austin was her “boyfriend”, so he was particularly keen on her.  

I will always cherish the moments Austin and I shared and for so much of our time together it was just him and I trying to conquer the world. He loved me for me, and for that I was grateful.  He’ll never be forgotten and will forever fly high.

I love you, Austin.