After far too many years apart, a beloved dog has finally returned to the family she was taken from.
Ginger, a sweet pup, was stolen from her family in 2017. Her owner, Barney Lattimore from Janesville, Wisconsin, never gave up hope that one day he would find his beloved dog. Whenever he spotted a dog that looked even vaguely like Ginger on rescue websites or at humane societies, he would reach out to see if it could be her. Sadly, time after time, it wasn’t. Still, he persisted, and that persistence ultimately led to the heartwarming reunion he had been waiting for.
On May 1, the City of Beloit Police Department shared a post on Facebook about a dog they had found and asked the public for any information. Lattimore saw the post and immediately felt that this dog could finally be his long-lost Ginger. He learned that the dog had been transferred to the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin while they searched for her owner.
Filled with nervous excitement, Lattimore rushed to the Humane Society, hoping against hope that this dog was his Ginger. After five long years, it was impossible to know what she had been through or whether she would still be the same dog he remembered. But none of that mattered to Lattimore—he just wanted his dog back.
When he arrived at the Humane Society, his prayers were answered. There, right before him, was his dear Ginger. The moment they saw each other, it was as if no time had passed. Both were overwhelmed with joy at being reunited.
The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin shared the touching story on its Facebook page:
“Over 5 years ago, Ginger was stolen from her owner, Barney. Ginger's family tried everything they could to get her back. They continuously searched for her, and every time they saw a dog that resembled her in the slightest, it reignited their hope that maybe it was her. Throughout the years, they adopted new dogs and even welcomed another child into their home, but they never forgot about Ginger.”
The post continued, “Recently, the Beloit Police Department posted on Facebook about a stray female dog, hoping to reunite her with her owner. She was eventually brought to HSSW, where we could continue the search. After a few days, we received a call from Barney, thinking it was Ginger! When he arrived, staff led Barney to the back of the shelter, and as soon as they saw each other, there was no doubt. The excitement on the family's faces, as well as Ginger's, when they were finally reunited was unforgettable. Ginger is back with her true family and now has the chance to meet her new ‘pack' members and make up for lost time!”
Lattimore responded to the post, saying, “I thank everyone. Prayers do get answered—she's back home and doing well. Thanks again for the love and support. All of you are amazing, and I love you all.”
This beautiful story shows that persistence can pay off and that nothing can break the bond between a dog and a human. Barney and Ginger are proof that love and determination can lead to the happiest of reunions.