In 2013, three adorable puppies named Ginger, Dakota and Maverick were rescued in Pasadena, USA, by a kind soul before being taken to the local shelter. Lively and affectionate, they quickly found loving homes. At the time, one family had considered adopting Ginger but ultimately chose Dakota, with whom they shared eleven wonderful years.
Last year, Dakota passed away from cancer. Her heartbroken family found comfort in remembering the happy, full life she'd had. "She had a wonderful life for 11 years and was still playing fetch right to the end," Vickie, her owner, told The Dodo.
A heartbreaking discovery on Facebook
Just as they thought they were slowly moving on, a post from Pasadena Humane on Facebook changed everything. On the screen, Vickie's daughter thought she recognised Dakota. In reality, it was Ginger, her sister, who had returned to the shelter twelve years after her adoption due to health issues in her family.
To give her the best chance, the shelter team had shared photos of Ginger as a puppy from 2013, alongside recent pictures. They never imagined that Dakota's adoptive family would stumble upon the post... and immediately recognise those familiar features.
An emotional fresh start
"We knew straight away that we had to adopt Dakota's sister," says Vickie. For the family, bringing Ginger home felt like coming full circle. "Sometimes we feel like we're seeing Dakota again. It's as if we've known Ginger our whole lives."
The shelter had worried that this senior dog might struggle to find a home. But her fate took an unexpected turn: she left the same day with her late sister's family. Since then, Ginger has settled in perfectly and is making the most of every moment. "She's getting the royal treatment she deserves," Vickie assures.
