New York, NY – October 15, 2009 – NYC Shiba Rescue, Inc. (NYCSR), a volunteer group dedicated to the rescue of Shiba Inu breed dogs in the NY metropolitan area, today announced that our veteran foster dog, Ginger, was finally adopted on October 2, 2009.  After one and a half years and four different foster homes, Ginger is finally going back home where she started, with her first ever foster family in Frenchtown, NJ.

Ginger was originally taken into the NYCSR Foster Program in March of 2008.  She was  surrendered by her owners following the birth of a new child which lead to a difficult period of adjustment for her.  One of the most beloved foster dogs we’ve ever had, Ginger took a little time adjusting into her new life in the program.  With the help of her foster families she quickly blossomed into a beautiful and loving dog, if at times just a little anxious about being alone.

“Ginger gets along well with everybody who comes over to the house and likes to jump on them and lick their face and hands,” said one of Ginger’s foster parents, Simon.  “When I come home, she goes crazy and can’t decide if she wants to jump on me, lick me or make me play with her, so she kind of does it all at once.”

Ginger came into the foster program as a potential bite risk dog, however all of her foster families had nothing but loving words to say about her.  At 8 years old Ginger can still display the energy and playfulness of a puppy, whether it be going for jogs in the park or playing with the waterfall in her foster family’s backyard.  With the help of her fosters Ginger has overcome ear infections, separation anxiety and some bad leash habits and is now ready to be the perfect addition to her new forever family.

Ginger is the 71^st dog that NYCSR has adopted out since the rescue was founded in April 2007.

About NYC Shiba Rescue, Inc.

NYC Shiba Rescue (NYCSR) is an all volunteer group dedicated to contributing to the quality of life of Shiba Inus in and around the New York City metropolitan area. To that end, NYCSR actively works to rescue Shiba Inus and Shiba Inu mixed breed dogs from dangerous environments and shelters in order to find them loving, permanent homes. We will, among other things, foster and evaluate Shiba Inus in order to prepare them for adoption and seek out proper adoptive homes for the dogs. NYCSR also promotes responsible dog ownership by educating the public in the selection, care and training of dogs.  NYC Shiba Rescue, Inc. (NYCSR) was founded in April 2007. NYCSR is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the Not-for-Profit corporation law of New York State and is a federal 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

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Ginger is doing well and had a great summer with her foster mom, Molly. She went on a trip to Ithaca NY and has been improving with the separation anxiety issues. She’s much better now about being left alone in the house and loves to hang out in Molly’s bedroom to nap.

Ginger would be best as the only dog in a house as she gets into some scuffles with the other dogs and will bark and growl at them. Molly’s dogs know that Ginger is bluffing and don’t react to her hostility. But she does love people and meeting new guests that come to the house. She’s also getting better with walks and doesn’t pull on the leash.

Here’s a pic of Ginger from July rolling around on the grass:

Ginger has lost a little weight, it may be due to the summer as dogs and cats don’t burn energy as much as they do during the winter. She also doesn’t eat as much food as she did before.

Her foster mom, Molly, told us that Ginger is like velcro and likes to be in the same room she is in and also wants to be near her, leaning on her, or sitting by her. Ginger is more out going and cuddly as time has gone on. She’s cuddly and very sweet.

Ginger seems to have much more confidence now and her anxiety about being left alone has died down. She’s doing very well and looking for her forever home. Could it be yours?

Ginger is doing very well and has no health concerns. Not even any allergies. She is sweet, needy and friendly. Her separation anxiety is improving.

Ginger is also getting better with the other dogs in the house. She is calmer around the other dogs. Her obedience is slow but steady. Her personality has emerged – she’s more personable, but also more like velcro. She has become friendlier with strangers and less vocal when left alone.

Ginger is learning to walk on a loose leash and to come when called. She gets excited and jumps on people she likes for petting, begs for food when people are eating and cries when left alone but getting better. She still periodically lunges at the dogs in the house but getting better at that as well.

Check back for more on Ginger.

Ginger is doing well. She recently went to a new foster home because her previous foster had some trips coming up and has gotten very busy at work. He let us know how Ginger has been doing before she went to her new home.

Ginger is very energetic and likes attention. She gets very excited when meeting new faces.

Ginger’s leash training has improved some more since last time and she is now able to sit on command outside. Earlier she would refuse to sit anywhere outside. She has become more calm – instead of running around frantically all the time she is a bit more relaxed.

Ginger is improving on coming when called. At first she would not listen, but she’s improving steadily.

Stay tuned for more on Ginger from her new foster Mom.

Ginge’s ear infection seems to have completely cleared up. She’s also adjusted to her new foster home and loves meeting new people, playing, and overall has been extremely friendly to meeting all her foster dad’s friends. She still exhibits some signs of anxiety when being left alone and will whine and has shredded a few papers. Overall she’s not destructive and will calm down. However, Walter, her foster dad, believes Ginger would do well with someone who was around a lot or in a house where people had overlapping schedules so Ginger wasn’t left alone for more than a few hours at a time.

Walter has also noticed that Ginger does not respond well to other dogs when they are walking and will bark and even try to lunge at other dogs that pass. He’s been working with her to walk nice and parallel with him and she has improved. Ginger was ok in the dog park with other dogs, but we know that dogs tend to act differently on a leash. Ginger may also be adjusting still to a new foster, new place, and may feel somewhat nervous and have her guard up for now.

Ginger’s chronic ear infections have been getting better. The vet gave her some solution/drops to fix her ear infection.

“We recently took Ginger to a out door flea market and she was so friendly with strangers. Everyone stopped to pet her and comment on what a beautiful dog she is. We tried to give her some ice cream (special dog treat from Shake Shack) but she isn’t really into ice cream. Other than that, all’s the same! I have a new roommate now as well, and he works at night, so Ginger’s separation anxiety, even when we leave her in the morning, is gone.”

Here are some recent photos of Ginger:

Ginger is getting better with her anxiety of being alone. For a while now, her foster family has been working with her to be calmer, relaxed, and ok with being left in the house. She was showing some strong signs of separation anxiety because she loves to be around company.

For a week she was in the care of another foster family and adjusted wonderfully. She’s got a lot of energy to burn and acts very young! She’s got a puppy mind and energy level in an 8 yr. old dog’s body. In fact, her birthday is the 26th of this month! Happy Birthday Ginger!! Her birthday wish is to find her forever home soon.

She’s been dealing with an ear infection but it seems to be getting better. When she finds her forever home, we’ll make sure to give them tips on how to clean and maintain good hygiene for Ginger and hlpe prevent infections. Overall, her foster dad, Simon, has nothing but great things to say about her and has been having a good time taking care of Ginger.

Keep checking back on Ginger.

Ginger is doing well and having fun with her foster dad. He told us that she seems to not like car rides and becomes very anxious. He wasn’t able to calm her down or get her to stop shivering. We’re not sure why she got nervous. Maybe she’s not used to being in a car.

However, her separation anxiety is getting better and she’s still very friendly with other dogs in the dog run and any she meets as they are out for a walk. Her foster dad Simon thinks that Ginger may prefer to be the only dog in the house. They brought her to a friend’s house who has a dog and Ginger did not like meeting the other dog. She bared her teeth at the dog during an introduction and every time she heard the dog, she would begin to bark, but she did not do anything else. Perhaps she’d need to meet the other dog in a neutral zone if a potential forever home had another dog.

They are working on her training and reinforcing basic commands like sit, down, stay. Ginger overall is a good dog and just waiting for her forever home. Could it be yours?

Ginger has a mild ear infection which her foster dad is treating. Overall, she’s doing great and has gained a little weight placing her around 17 lbs. She seems to get anxious now if she knows her foster dad is leaving the house. He’s come up with a few ways to help overcome this issue such as getting ready in the morning at different times.

She’s getting better with commands and walks nicely on a leash as long as she’s not overly excited and hyped up. Her foster dad, Simon, takes her for a job and walk everyday. She loves the exercise and it helps keep her calmer in the house as well as keeps her fit.

Overall Ginger is doing well and we’re all waiting for her to find her forever home!