(Left) Ginger and Dakota photographed as puppies at Pasadena Humane during their 2013 intake. (Right) A family made complete, Vickie, Shelley and Ginger celebrate their adoption day. Dakota joins in spirit, close to their hearts and pictured on the phone Vickie holds.

Many of the animals who come into our care at Pasadena Humane carry sad stories with them. Ginger, a German shepherd mix, is one of them. Adopted as a puppy from Pasadena Humane in 2013, she was returned 12 years later when her owner’s medical issues made it impossible to continue caring for her.

Because of Ginger’s age, we worried it might take her longer to find a new home. Seniors often spend more time in shelters than younger dogs.

To give her more visibility, we shared her story on Facebook, pairing new photos of her as a dignified senior with her intake picture from years ago. In that photo, Ginger appears alongside her sibling.

Back in 2013, Vickie Showalter and her daughter, Shelley, had seen that very photo on our website. They came to Pasadena Humane hoping to adopt Ginger, but at the shelter they were mistakenly introduced to her sister. They fell in love instantly and adopted her, naming the puppy Dakota.

Fast forward to 2025. While scrolling through Facebook, Shelley saw a familiar-looking photo — the same grainy image of Dakota with her litter mate. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Dakota had sadly passed away from cancer the year before, but now here was her sister, back at Pasadena Humane.

Vickie and Shelley didn’t hesitate. They came to the shelter right away and adopted Ginger, finally bringing home the dog they had once hoped for.

Ginger was welcomed into the Showalter home surrounded by the memories, love, and doggie smells of her sister. It’s now been a couple months since Ginger went home. Vickie shares that Ginger has settled into her new home beautifully and already feels completely at ease.

Though Ginger and Dakota have very distinct personalities, discovering Ginger’s unique traits has been a joyful experience. Vickie feels it was fate that brought Ginger into her life — and she couldn’t be happier that everything finally came together, even if it took twelve years.

Ginger’s second chance adoption was truly exceptional. But it’s stories, like Ginger’s, that remind me of how fortunate I am to work in a field where we are making difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them every single day.

As a guardian to several senior pets, I know just how special these distinguished companions, like Ginger, can be. I hope the best for all of the senior animals in our care and am happy to recognize them as part of Adopt a Senior Pet Month.

Adding a senior pet to your life is a great way to help a pet that is truly in need. Seniors tend to be calmer and more mellow, making them an easy fit into most households. They’ve already lived in a home before and likely know the rules of road, making training a breeze.

This November, Pasadena Humane is waiving the adoption fees for all pets 5 years and older as part of our Adopt a Senior Pet Month promotion. All adopted dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines and microchipped.

To view all senior pets for adoption, visit pasadenahumane.org/adopt

Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on October 31, 2025.