WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (July 20, 2022) - On July 19, Ginger, the beloved White Sands Missile Range firehouse dog, passed away. Condolences go out to all who loved her, especially those at Fire Station Three at Stallion Range Camp. The firefighters adopted her in December 2007 when she was six weeks old, and she served all 14 of those years at WSMR.
She was a rescue animal with a big friendly heart. She was brought in to provide companionship to members at the fire station who are responsible for the entire northern end of the missile range. The remote location can get lonely, much like a rural community, but nobody was ever alone with Ginger around.
Ginger served her purpose of forming friendships with everyone who paid a visit to the fire station. She was also vital to the fire station’s physical security by alerting the firehouse personnel whenever someone dropped by. It’s been said that "if you did not know she was there, she would make sure you knew she was there with her barking.”
Preston Harris, the current fire station captain, asked his captain fifteen years ago about adopting a dog for the station. Luckily, everyone working with Harris at the time was on board to adopt a dog, and that is how Ginger became a part of the WSMR family.
“She brought joy to all of our lives. We all enjoyed going on walks with her and playing with her," said Harris. "We will miss seeing her around the table begging for 'people' food."
Traditionally, Dalmatians were the choice for firedogs. When early firefighters rode in carriages, the dogs would clear the way for them. Ginger’s mission was different. She was brought in to support the firefighters themselves, which is why her character was more important than her breed.
Ginger did her share of physical training alongside the firefighters and enjoyed going for rides in the truck. She will be genuinely missed by all who knew her and ultimately served her purpose in life, which was to be man's best friend.
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