Her and Her Sisters 

(Left to Right)–Mousse, Vidalia, Gilligan, Ginger, and Cindee.

OwyheeStar fans have heard of Ginger. She didn’t produce many pups in her short OwyheeStar career, but those she did are cherished. Her litters were always sired by the noteworthy ‘OwyheeStar Once In A Blue Moon‘ (Blue). We worked many years to get a mating between Callie and Zee. When we did have a mating that produced a litter, we kept all four females she produced. It was impossible to know which one might produce pups. This is a lineage that produces small litters at best–sometimes a mating produces nothing. Vidalia, Cindee, Mousse, and Ginger were the names we chose for Callie’s four pups. Vidalia and Ginger are both already busy about their second career. A lovely Western Oregon Woman, who spends a great deal of time with her grandson, adopted Vidalia (Vi). He thought grandma was calling her Chai, and thus Vi became Chai. Isn’t that adorable? Cindee resides in Central Oregon where she has a Weim brother, but her primary duty is to be Mama’s Weim. Reports of her relationship are nothing short of heartwarming. They wrote to us saying were it possible for them to be a three-Weim family, they would take Ginger in a heartbeat. They are so happy that Ginger found a wonder life purpose. Mousse has been the best producing of the four. Vi refused to mate and never produced a puppy. Cindee has a very few pups, and Ginger a few more than Cindee. It was good (despite Shela’s objection) that Cliff had the wisdom to keep all four. What if the choice had been Vidalia? The many years of trying to get pups from a Callie X Zee mating would have been for naught.

Ginger’s New Purpose

Ginger is a sensitive, sweet, and loving girl. Nonetheless, she is extremely tender-spirited. If you raise your voice, she squats in an automatic submissive act as if she had been abusive. All the while she is squatting she is also waging her tail. She doesn’t do the submissive pee thing, but she is anything but dominant. She is not quick to trust people she doesn’t know. The right home for Ginger was vitally important. It always is; however, this was even more imperative than the usual re-home considerations.

The Right Home for Ginger

A woman (Stacy) who has a heart for critters kept thinking Ethan needed a dog. She is always matching up people with a dog that needs a home. Many times we talked about the various Weims we have at OwyheeStar, who could benefit from finding a placement. Stacy is someone special to all of us involved. She is Becca’s close friend and Shela’s physical therapist. Ethan needed the right dog. Ginger had to have the right place to blossom and to enjoy her golden years in style. It was also a consideration that Ethan’s family had not had a dog. They liked them and grew up with them, but sometimes the timing is not right. Adding to the consideration, Ethan is not a typical young man. He has a big heart, is very engaging, and faces many challenges. He does all this with a smile. Unfortunately, he had a severe vaccine reaction that targeted his coccyx region that left him with a lifetime disability. Barring a miracle, he will always need crutches.

Ginger had no previous experience with crutches. We could not be sure she would not be fearful of them. Nevertheless, when introduced, she didn’t even seem to take notice of Ethan’s crutches. She was friendly but less than her usual shy self. Before Ginger’s departure, she was spayed. Therefore, there was a couple week delay. We tried working with her a bit to help her prepare; however, we all know change is difficult for the Weimaraner. At first, her new family was worried. She would not eat or drink much at all. In turn, she wasn’t going to the bathroom much which is also a concern. She stole a blanket and would hide in the bathroom using it like an oversized safe spot. We problem solved on several occasions to help them get through the transition.

Ginger More than Coping

Twenty-one days after Ginger and Ethan left OwyheeStar they are in the mountains of North Georgia. Her new family travels for their work. Ethan home schools and Ginger is with him 24 X 7. The transition was tricky, but she is much-loved and adjusting well to her new life. She has a friend and a purpose. Did you see that smile? Becka, Ethan, and Ginger enjoy a moment together in above photo. There will be a lot of travel moving from job to job, but Ginger will be riding next to Ethan as an integral part of the family life.

We are so excited for Ginger. We are thrilled for Ethan too! They have each other, and they are off on the memory-making-adventure of boyhood dreams. The kind that boys remember forever. We are thankful that Becka has kept us updated as it was possible. We look forward to hearing from them as the journey unfolds.