I’d like to introduce you to Ginger

Meet Ginger!

Let me tell you about the cutest little dog breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Maybe I’m being biased because all I have ever owned were Cavaliers, but they truly are great dogs!

My love for cavaliers started in April 2006 when I purchased a female Blenheim puppy from a breeder.  Before getting her I went on the American Kennel Club website to look up breeds.  I knew I wanted a small dog, and one that was great with kids.  At the time I had an 8 year old special needs child.

I searched all the breeds and saw pictures of Cavaliers.  I instantly fell in love with that face and remembered Charlotte’s dog from Sex and the City.  I immediately set out to get a puppy.  I was perusing Cavalier breeder websites and came across a female puppy who the breeder had named Precious.  That’s when I found the love of my life, Ginger.  Luckily when I inquired about her no one else had, so she was all mine.

I had to go to Newark International Airport to pick her up, all I had was a picture to go by. My husband and I were so giddy, we were excited to add a new addition to our family.  We arrived at Newark early and waited outside with anticipation.  We went to the pickup area and instantly saw her in her little crate shivering with fear.

As soon as we reached the counter and they handed us the crate, I took her out and held her closely.  My eyes welded up with tears of joy and the love that I had for this little creature words could not describe. I wish I had started blogging when I first got her.  She’s been with our family for 14 years and I could have written so many posts of all the wonderful adventures, experiences and love that she has brought to our family.

As with many pure breeds, cavaliers have their share of health problems. They are prone to some serious genetic health problems such as mitral valve disease (MVD), the potentially severely painful syringomyelia, and certain vision and hearing disorders, as well as others.

Ginger who is 14 has lost most of her hearing.  I also have to give her cyclosporine in both eyes as she also has dry eye or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).  She also had compression surgery back in 2009 for a chiari-malformation but I will have to write more about that in another post.

When searching for a lifelong companion do your research. You should find a dog that will suit your lifestyle but most importantly ask yourself are you ready to make a 10 year if not more commitment.

Ginger served as a Doggy Hostess and companion from 2015 to 2019 at our days with Rover.  We have since stopped boarding dogs focusing solely on her sickness.  You can read about her diagnosis of CHF by clicking here.

Ginger crossed the rainbow bridge on Thursday, July 16, 2020. She died peacefully at home surrounded by those that loved her the most.   Our hearts are broken as we will miss our little darling.