2 Senior Dogs in Shocking Condition

Just when we thought we had seen it all…

We pulled 2 senior dogs from a rural shelter after they were found alongside the body of their deceased owner. Ginger and Goldie are incredibly sweet girls, but they are in absolutely heartbreaking condition.

Poor Ginger has two broken front legs and a broken tail. The injuries are old, and while we may never know exactly what happened to her, discussions with our veterinarian make it seem that these injuries may have been intentional. They were unquestionably neglected afterward. Her nails had literally curled into the pads of her feet. Both girls are in pain and in desperate need of extensive medical care. Both are covered with fleas.

Right now, we honestly don’t know what the final outcome will be for Ginger and Goldie, but we promise we will do absolutely everything we can to help them finally know comfort, safety, and love.

Please help us thank the amazing people who stepped up immediately for these girls:

 — Torrena Rowe for transporting

 — Cindy Loman and Tammi Campbell for being ready to foster

 — Dr. Mack and his incredible staff Palm Valley Veterinary Center for always making room for our critical pups at a moment’s notice

Please keep Ginger and Goldie in your thoughts as we begin this journey with them. They deserved so much better than what life has given them so far. 6/18/26 Update: Despite everything she has endured, Ginger has been a trooper. She's a sweet, happy girl, and we just want her to feel better.

Our original plan was to get her healthier before moving forward with orthopedic surgery to repair her paws. Dr. Darrow at ECoVETS had already evaluated her and was confident he could help restore her mobility and quality of life. Her painful, broken tail would likely need to be amputated as well.

Unfortunately, Ginger has continued to face one challenge after another.

Her foster mom, Cindy Loman, has done an incredible job caring for her and getting her to numerous veterinary appointments. Ginger’s skin has improved somewhat, but her anemia worsened, leading to additional testing and concerns about possible immune-mediated disease.

Yesterday, Ginger returned to ECoVETS for another evaluation. Cindy recently underwent surgery herself, so Kelly Powell stepped in, transported Ginger to her appointment, and kept her overnight.

During the appointment yesterday, Dr. Bartles called with unexpected and concerning news. An ultrasound revealed a 3.9 cm mass on Ginger’s spleen, along with a small nodule on her liver. Because Ginger was already facing multiple surgical procedures, we immediately consulted with specialists to determine the safest and most appropriate path forward.

Dr. Darrow at ECoVETS recommended moving forward with a splenectomy and tail amputation first, while postponing any paw surgeries until pathology results are available.

Dr. Neumann at Southeast Veterinary Oncology (SEVO), who had just completed a chemo treatment for another FUR pup, Peppa, reviewed Ginger’s situation and reached the same conclusion. We also consulted Dr. Sorenson at Palm Valley Veterinary Center, who agreed with the plan.

All three veterinarians felt the splenic mass is the most urgent issue and should not wait.

Dr. Darrow also recommended spaying Ginger during the same procedure. Although we asked whether her skin infection should improve further before surgery, he felt the urgency of the splenic mass outweighed the risks of waiting. He also noted there is a small possibility that some of Ginger’s skin issues could actually be related to the splenic tumor itself.

So today, Ginger is undergoing emergency surgery.

She will have her spleen removed, her painful tail amputated, and be spayed at the same time. Once pathology results come back on the splenic mass, we will have a much clearer picture of what comes next and whether she can move forward with the orthopedic surgeries needed to repair her broken paws.

Kelly brought Ginger back to ECoVETS this morning, and she will remain hospitalized overnight after surgery for close monitoring.

Ginger is our second major surgical case today, alongside Murphy Bean. When we take on medical cases like Ginger and Murphy Bean, we rarely know what we’re signing up for. We simply know they need help.

Ginger has endured broken bones, severe infections, anemia, countless veterinary visits, and now an emergency splenectomy. Through it all, she has continued to fight.

Please keep Ginger, her surgical team, and everyone caring for her in your prayers today.

6/19/26 Update: Ginger made it through surgery. OK. It was a difficult surgery, but she did not need a transfusion. She stayed in the ER overnight and she is back with Kelly today until Cindy is feeling better. She is eating, drinking and taking her medicine like a champ. We will have to wait to get her pathology results back. Thank you for the prayers! 𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺

Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to run a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. Learn more at: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly

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    7643 Gate Parkway #104-27

    Jacksonville, FL 32256

About FUR

Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, the highest possible rating. FUR also received a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. Less than 1/10th of 1% of all nonprofits receive these ratings.