Please Help Save Ginger's Life - Updates

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9-15-12 - I Hear Ginger is Doing Much Better!

Word in the grapevine is that Ginger is out of her bandages and her stitches will come out soon! I know I need to put pics up Will do as soon as I can visit her.

9-1-12 - Sorry Been Reall Busy!

All, I have not abandoned this page! I will get some pics of Ginger up when my schedule opens up. Sorry about the lull in the updates. Just got a lot things on my plate right now but I will be updating this site all the way until Ginger is walking again on her own :)

8-16-12 - Some Updates

I was really busy last week I didn't get a chance to visit Ginger but I will see her this weekend and have some photos. I am going to keep updating this site until Ginger is able to move around on her own again, this way every one can see the progress they helped bring about. Hopefully I'll have something posted Saturday or Sunday evening.

I am almost finished with the website I said I was going to make to help other animals. I think it will serve a dual purpose, one to help prevent these kinds of things from happening by educating (a blog basically). I am hoping to develop a pretty in depth curriculum about how people can defend themselves against dogs using knowledge of dog behavior and psychology. The second purpose will be to enable those who wish to raise funds for care of animals in need. It was a lot of work getting this far, but I feel like I've stumbled on to something useful and I'd like to make it available to other animals, not just Ginger. Like I said, if anyone wants to provide any input my email is at the bottom of this page.

8-8-12 - I'll try and visit Ginger again this weekend

I think I owe you guys another update :) I had to move so I've been busy with that but I should be able to get another update up this weekend.

7-21-12 - Videos of Wound Cleaning

Okay guys so most of these videos are pretty short. They mainly show the bandages being removed and a few close ups of how the wound is progressing. It is still fresh but is clean.

I had to turn the camera on outside the room cause for some reason Ginger started freaking out when she heard the sounds it made. Anyways, the splint is off, the vets instructions were to be extra careful because of it. She has to stay in a small cage until she is more healed - this prevents her from abusing her leg so it can heal. The vet says that we will have to wait to see how much function she will have in her paw since the bullet traveled through an area where a major nerve is located. Her leg looks fine so we'll have to see how the paw turns out.

Sometimes I had to pretty much drop the camera and help hold Ginger so the vet could work.

7-16-12 - Ginger Discharged OK

OK Ginger is cleared by the vet again and is back home safe and sound! I will get some videos as soon as my schedule allows, hopefully no later than this weekend. Thanks everyone for still following along and expressing your concerns it helps keep me going.

I'd like to turn theclearlife.net into an awareness website for these kinds of situations (involving dogs and police). I am currently redesigning the front page of the website. I think I will make it available as a blog/awareness/fundraiser site people can use to help them help animals, there seems to be a need for it. I've had people write in with a lot of good ideas, one of which is putting together a curriculum for law enforcement about how to deal with dogs in a better manner by helping them understand dog psychology. I am very interested in this idea and if we get enough momentum perhaps some of the big names like Ceaser Milan will help out. Either way, definitely going to do something further, I haven't quite zeroed in on what the goal of the new website is yet but things are slowly materializing. If anyone has any input or wants to participate somehow my email is at the bottom of this page :)

7-10-12 - Ginger Getting Checked Out at Vet

Ginger managed to flop down on her bad leg when she was let out to potty. Ended up popping a rod out a little bit, but it did manage to settle itself back into place overnight thankfully. The vet wanted to monitor her for a bit longer so she is currently back at Ponderosa. I know I owe you guys some pictures so I'll get them up when the dog is released again. The vet did say this kind of thing does happen occasionally, and wanted to keep a closer eye on the dog just to be safe.

7-04-12 - Ginger Discharged Today

Ginger is now back at her home recovering from her surgery. She has to remain in a small 4x4 crate so she doesn't move around too much and upset the healing process of her leg, but it looks like everything went well and she is on track to recovery. Will post pictures soon.

7-01-12 - Ginger Discharged Tomorrow?

The vet tells me Ginger will likely be discharged tomorrow. I have a post-op x-ray I will be uploading soon.

6-28-12 - KOAT Follow-up Story

KOAT did a nice follow up on Ginger. See it here.

6-27-12 - Thank you KOAT

KOAT aired Ginger's story last night. Check it out.

6-26-12 - Watch KOAT at 10pm

KOAT made a very determined effort to help us by going to the clinic and interviewing the vet and seeing Ginger. Tune in tonight at 10pm, hopefully we will see Ginger if the story gets aired.

6-25-12 - Will Post About Release Soon

Hi all, okay so I am still updating this site, just news is coming in slower. I am expecting Ginger will be released soon and I will have video and pictures when that happens. Just not sure when yet. Again so much thanks to everyone who helped out! I wish I could communicate what a huge impact it has had in this process. Hopefully the videos and pictures have given all of you insight into what this animal has gone through and how we made the difference between life and death for her.

6-20-12 - Random Update

K everybody so the news about Ginger is kind of trickling off. I'm only going to be posting every few days when I have news now. So far last I hear she is doing well, she even got the funny looking dog funnel collar thing off her head, and it will stay off as long as she's a good girl and doesn't chew at her bandages. Also she is off the IV (I got to help remove it!). She is well on her her way to recovery now, has pins in her leg of course but this is a HUGE improvement than what the alternative was. Again, thank you to everybody who helped out.

6-18-12 - Surgery Complete

The surgery was apparently a tricky one, complicated by the "multiple adhesions" and injuries caused from the gunshot wound. The surgery was successful however, and Ginger is well on her way to recovery. I got to see her this evening. Her leg is in a hard splint to keep it immobile while the rods inserted into her bones have time to settle. She is in good spirits, and on a positive note Ginger does not seem to have lost her trust in people. She is being taken care of very well at Ponderosa Animal Clinic. She is definitely in good hands.

6-17-12 - Clinic closed today

Sorry guys. I called. I went there. They were just closed today. I know I owe everyone some surgery updates. Please check back in a day or so.

6-16-12 - Couldn't see dog today

Hi Everyone who's been following this. Okay so a visit to the clinic today while the vet happened to be out meant we couldn't see the dog or get much info today, sorry i know everyone wanted the status update but unfortuneatly it won't come until tomorrow likely. I'll post it as soon as I have it. Please check back tomorrow.

6-15-12 - No extra news today

Sorry everyone I haven't had a chance to make it to the vet's to see if Ginger is being operated on today or tomorrow. Either way, once it is over I will be posting updates so please check back for that soon.

6-14-12 - Ginger Looks Good

Alright all well the bad news is KOB cancelled on me about 45 minutes before we were scheduled to meet. They wanted to cover the fires instead and didn't have the resources to send a journalist my way. The good news is Ginger looks good and optimistic, even kind of smiley :D I took some video of her at the animal clinic where she is staying.

Surgery should be done Friday or Saturday. The vet tells me it is still risky due to her wounds, but will probably go well. They want to operate before the bones that were shattered start fusing together again.

6-13-12 - Scheduled to meet journalist tomorrow

We're up to $875.90 for Ginger. I am scheduled to meet a producer tomorrow morning at the vet clinic. They're going to make the story and pitch it to their editors and with any luck we will all see Ginger on KOB soon along with the veterinarian giving her input. I will certainly post the times it is scheduled to run if we make it that far.

I unfortuntely did not get a chance to talk with the vet today about Ginger's actual progress, I had only a few minutes between her calls to set up the appointment with the news people.

I am going to represent this animal as far as I can, I am really angry about what happened to this dog and how the officer shot such a small animal claiming he felt threatened.

6-12-12 - Talking with KOB

A friend of a friend was able to contact a producer at KOB and they are interested in doing the story about Ginger. I have spoken with the producer and he says he wants to do the story and pitch it to the editor, but he sounded confident. I will aim to make this news story about the dog, and raising support for her. I am expecting a call from KOB tomorrow morning and will certainly provide updates.

We are almost half way to the target amount. I am so amazed at the response for this dog. Everybody, we really are saving Ginger's life. With her not expected to survive the first night, and the family looking at a $2000 bill, Ginger's future almost evaporated right there. This fundraiser, and the donations we have received for it, is giving Ginger access to the care she needs that is now expected to save her life, and has strengthened our determination to continue for this animal. I am hoping the newscast will bring in more money for Ginger that will help us reach our target mark of $1950.00. This is certainly becoming a real possibility thanks to everyone who has contributed.

I haven't spoken with the vet today, but will tomorrow and I am expecting her to appear in the newscast along with Ginger. We'll keep our fingers crossed that the story actually makes it to air.

I will find out when the surgery is scheduled for, hopefully the vet will have a better feel for when it will be. Ginger is going to be operated on at Ponderosa Animal Clinic where she is currently hospitalized.

6-11-12 - Ginger's status is hopeful

A trip to Ponderosa Animal Clinic brings this news: Ginger is stabilizing well. The vet is no longer considering euthanasia. One vet described Ginger as having a "Big heart and a brave spirit", and that she is very determined. Her lungs are stabilizing and her labored breathing is decreasing. The in house surgeon is confident the surgery will yield success and is likely to operate on Thursday after Ginger has stabilized to the point where she can be safely anesthetized. Currently Ginger is off the IV therapy and is eating and drinking on her own. This is a huge welcome improvement since both vets didn't think Ginger would survive the first night. Fortunately, things are looking very hopeful.

The estimate is in, the vet estimates the entire treatment for Ginger will be roughly $1950.00 for treatment of her gunshot wounds. It is heartening to know that Ginger has a good shot at survival and this is in so much thanks to all of you who have donated, you have collectively saved this animal's life as initially there weren't enough funds for Ginger's care.

We are trying to get this on the news and a producer seems to be interested in doing the story. Hopefully we can raise awareness about animal cruelty. I am told police are currently taught to not take any risks with dogs, and are trained to shoot them, but look at how small this dog is and it is easy to see how riduclous shooting it really is.

I am hoping we can at least make people consider less than lethal options when dealing with smaller dogs and animals.

If anyone has not donated yet, we are still in the process of raising funds for this animal, we have currently raised over $600.00 dollars for helping Ginger, and even small donations will go a really long way to help. Any amount donated in excess of what Ginger needs will be donated to the Ponderosa Animal Clinic to serve as an indigent fund for other animals who end up in situations like Ginger's.

I am touched by the number of people that want to help this animal, I never thought we'd get far at all, but all of you donors are making all the difference for her. I will keep you posted every day. I have a new, more encouraging picture of Ginger I will post when I get it.

6-10-12 - The vet has called

Ginger's shoulder wall was shattered from an entrance and exit wound, along with the injury to her lungs. She is also on medication to detox her liver. The vet expects the dog will be able to be operated on within the next few days once she is stable, and is currently considering a surgical operation involving pins, wires and splints to repair the damage done by the bullet. A more accurate estimate of the medical costs is expected to come in tomorrow morning.

We have raised almost two hundred dollars since noon today, though we are careful not to celebrate too soon as we know we have more work to do in raising funds for this animals medical treatment. THANK YOU to all who have donated we cannot put into words how grateful we are for your contributions and we will continue to give you feedback on the dog's status as it is sent to us.

For comments or questions email me at helpginger42@gmail.com