Bill Keeney's son Greg told me in an email, "Dad and Ginger are finally reunited, my Dad passed on January 23rd."
Ginger, a 14-pound Italian Greyhuahua
Born Jan 3, 2009 in an RV park where Ginger lived for 3 years. Apparently not wanted, Bill Keeney (P.O. 604, Elma, WA 98541) took her in July 2011.
On Aug 5, 2011, she was spayed
at Brady Veterinary Hospital, 450 Monte Brady Rd, Montesano, WA 98563 (360)
249-3700
On Aug 9, 2011, Bill reported
that Ginger was doing well, drinking well, no vomiting. She had some soft stool
when first coming home. The incision was healing well. Bill noticed that she was
not too interested in dry dog food, and would eat lots of treats and other
yummy snacks. She nibbled on her dog food, still not eating a full meal.
Feb 15, 2012 Bill was not
sure that he was able to properly treat her ear infection with his "bad
hand" and living alone. Ginger’s ears had bothered her since Bill acquired
her. By April 13, 2012 her ears were free of redness and swelling, but there was
still some tan waxy debris along the walls of the right ear.
Sep 15, 2018 - Bill’s health
declined and his son Greg (775-636-0235) gregkeeney@yahoo.com had him moved to a Virginia Veterans Administration
assisted living facility, Heritage Hall, 5580 Daniel Smith Road, Virginia
Beach, VA 23462 - http://www.heritage-hall.org/our-facilities/heritage-hall-virginia-beach.aspx. Greg signed Ginger’s ownership with records over to Obedient
Paws obedientpaws@icloud.com 403 Davis St, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, (757)
663-8020. Obedient Paws Care Giver Adam became Ginger’s guardian for about 10
months before turning her over to Becca Peril who gave her to Betty Jardine
(Harborview) who found a possible forever home in July 2019 with Alexandra
Zakowicz. In acquiring a new job, Alexandra realized she couldn’t take care of
Ginger. She put her up for adoption thought the SPCA. After Ginger’s four month
stay with Alexandra, on Nov
15, 2019, myself (Bob Perrine) and my wife Barbette Timperlake (plus
their 10 year-old cat Sadie and 11 year old dog Scout - http://1bob1.blogspot.com/2010/04/carolina-dog.html) gave her a permanent home - http://barbette-and-bob.blogspot.com/2011/01/perrines-places.html. We took her to our vet, Great Neck Veterinary Clinic
https://www.greatneckvet.com/contact on Nov 27. My main concern was her ears, this long-standing problem.
Other than that, she checked out ok for an eleven-year old. I give her ear
medicine every other day and once a month Ninnette (Got A Pet...Get Net -941-626-0314
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Got-A-PetGet-Net/1547482838910672)
comes to our house and gives Ginger a bath plus the works in her van.
Sadly, Scout died Dec 23, 2019
so Scout and Ginger had a little over a month together. Scout, I believe,
sensed that Ginger was a replacement and accepted it by being very kind to Ginger.
Since Bill was her owner for 7 years, she naturally has favored me over my
wife, but in time I’m sure she’ll love both of us. However, almost immediately
Ginger developed separation anxiety, overly attached to me. When I return from
being gone, Ginger is excited, jumping up and down turning in circles and barking
(the only time she barks).
Ginger loves to run on our
Cape Henry Beach in front of our house and go for walks, but frequently stopping
to sniff something, a ten-minute walk turning into thirty-minutes. While Ginger
has adjusted well in the house, she is afraid of Sadie, and Sadie knows it. Sadie
will lie of the steps and Ginger will be afraid to go up the steps past her. Ginger
gets back at Sadie by eating any dry food Sadie leaves. Now Sadie is not the
foraging anymore like she used to.
I was told by Alexandra that
Ginger was part Chihuahua and part something else but didn’t really know the
other breed. On one of our first walks, a neighbor who has an Italian Greyhound
said she probably has some Italian Greyhound in her. Well, it didn’t take long
to find on the web what she was, an Italian Greyhuahua!
Bob Perrine 757-481-1269
Italian Greyhuahua - https://www.101dogbreeds.com/italian-greyhuahua.asp
The Italian Greyhuahua is a
very small breed of dogs crossed between the Italian Greyhound and the
Chihuahua. Like its funny name, this adorable dog has an apple-shaped head
studded with dark almond-shaped eyes and ends in a small, black nose. They have
two large bat-like ears protruding out of the head, standing erect like the
chihuahua’s, though some might inherit the floppy ears of the Greyhound as
well. The body is slender with four sleek legs and a long, dangling tail
gradually narrowing at the tip. These dogs are suitable for all families, as
well as for single persons looking for companionship. They make an ideal
apartment dog, or for anyone with limited space. As pets, they are quite common
among dog lovers, and are also easily available from the breeders or for
adoption from rescues.
Italian Greyhuahua’s are
dependent and peaceful. They are apt for serene environments and quiet
households. Both the parent breeds of the dog are known to be fun-loving,
friendly and playful; hence the Italian Greyhuahua has inherited the mirthful
and amusing nature. These dogs are completely devoted to their masters, like
they are loyal and sweet to the owner’s family. When they are happy or
impressed and want to show their gratitude, the expression of their face can
change so dramatically that it would often seem like it is smiling at you.
Very much like its Chihuahua
parent they would see everything around with their big eyes while pulling
things off the shelf, pull the stuffing out of teddy bears, or even chew on
wood if you would not supply them with chewables. They are responsive and are
good with children and would often been seen playing with them. So are they
with their fellow pets. Though, like its Italian Greyhound parent, they are
wary of strangers, and would display a very gentle behavior and timidity when
strangers are around.
They love people and spending
time with them. Hence be sure you give enough time to your little one in order
to keep it happy. They are obedient and would listen to you with all
concentration when you ask them to do something. They are also immensely
curious. They will find a way to stumble upon anything.
View from Whaler Ct (looking north) 
Out front on Whaler Ct - Halloween 2011 - neighborhood kids with Scout (see her website @ 
