Kalahari RRs

End Of The Year Donation

2011-12-29T06:37:00.001-06:00

I’m posting on all my blogs in the hopes that you will learn of this fantastic group who work to help people in arid regions of Africa to care for their environment and to feed themselves.

The Edenland Foundation: http://edengardens.org/
Founded by a fellow Ridgeback owner’s family from Sweden.

Hoping you’ll join me in donating to this great cause. You can send money via PayPals to:: loverescueoperation@gmail.com

The Great Barnacle Banquet

2011-10-01T16:30:00.004-05:00

I loaded the whole gang and we went over to visit Gail and Bill Thompson on the bay. Oz, Sizzle and Darla had all been there before, but this was a great adventure to the younger ones: Guy, Magic and Prize. The Tompson's RR, Kona, has recently passed away, so they were in need of a ridgeback fix!

There's a nice sandy beach in front of the house, but the dogs were busy ripping around full tilt and when they came back to the beach, they didn't expect such a big drop.

They soon conquered that and enjoy an ear rub by Bill on the low end of the bulkhead.

After romping hard, they made for the water. Sizzle, that water is salty!

Darla stalks a water monster.... an odd shaped piece of driftwood that she eventually decided was okay and picked it up.

Magic was in a stalking mode, too.

A group wade...the younger ones weren't sure about all this water, but Mama Sizzle is quite the swimmer, so they went with her.

Whoopee! That water's making Guy lively!

Then they all discovered barnacles. Must be tasty, too, because they were gnawing away at them.

Ah, crunchy seafood..,,,,,

...and a salt lick to boot! Except for the lingering "barnacle breath", they are all sacked out after the great adventure.

Dog Daycare

2011-08-08T11:18:00.003-05:00

Atlas, Ursala and George's new rescue pup, is spending the day with us while his owners play host to family with a toddler. Atlas isn't mean at all, but he's a bit of a clumsy puppy and they were afraid he'd knock down the kid and the parents would be upset...they are non-dog owners.

We all went out for a walk about and over to the pear tree where mine were waiting for me to hurry up and throw them some pears. Atlas didn't quite know what to do with his.... he wasn't raised eating fruit, like mine, so he's not too sure of what he's supposed to do. ....but the way he loves food, it won't be long!

He followed me around the yard, then decided to go back over to the pear tree, just in case some steak fell on the ground.

Prize ate hers and is wondering what else she can do...

Atlas gives up the steak hunt and hurries back across the yard to continue the walk.

Crunchy Munchies

2011-08-06T09:49:00.002-05:00

The pears are finally ripe...not that the dogs haven't been eating them since they were bumps on a twig! They've jumped and gotten all those they can reach, so now I climb up the tree, get some for me and toss the gang a few.

The group "munch"... all happy, everybody's got one.

Guy and Oz chow down.

Guy gets a good mouthful and you can hear the crunch and the slurpyness as it's going down!

The Morning Romp

2011-08-01T12:16:00.001-05:00

It's HOT! Magic grabs a second wind before charging in on the group set-to.

Sneak attack...Prize nips poor old Guy's leg...

Henna And Liz Need Your Help

2011-07-16T09:08:00.002-05:00

Henna (L) is a 14 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback. That's ancient in RR years! Here she is in Sept 2011 playing with Magic ( 2 yrs) while visiting my house.

Henna's mom, Liz, fell and broke BOTH her wrists recently while trying to load some itmes during a move. Liz is a master gardener and a maker of fabulous jewelry - unfortunately, she's not going to be doing NEITHER for the next 4-6 weeks!

To help relieve the stress of bills to pay and no money coming in, her friends are going to have an auction for her beginning the latter part of the week or whenever all the donations are in.

Even if you aren't a "dog person", there are wonderful items in there that anyone can enjoy and we'd love to invite you to partake in the auction! I've already begun to add items to the site, so feel free to check with us each day.

Liz's Auction web page

Greet And Meet

2011-07-08T10:31:00.004-05:00

I took Magic and Prize over to meet Atlas, the new rescue of the Romanos.. I thought since he as only 10 mos, they'd play a bit. Didn't go as planned...it was too hot outside.

Mine got there, check out Atlas, marked the entire yard, Prize was trying her best to get in George's lap, Atlas was wrapped around my legs.

After a while, all three went off into Ursala's flower bed.....

....they conferenced a bit.....and came out deciding that everything was okay, but it was too hot to play.

When George headed to the house to get them some water, they went, too. Determined to get in the cool!.

Magic was still trying to go in, but Atlas came running back. Eventually, we all went in, brought in the new toys I got for Atlas to play with and then I took my two home. Perhaps when he comes over here to stay a couple of hours, they'll be comfortable enough to run and play.

JustRidgebacks Goes To Cafe Press

2011-05-03T15:53:00.002-05:00

People still want to buy my designs on tee shirts and things, but my printer and press got fried by lighting. The inks are outrageously high, so I "retired" from all that.

Now, I've opened a store at Cafe Press and am slowly adding designs to it. Not just RRs either.

If you see a design you like and want your own text with it, let me know and I'll fix it up for you so you can order from them.

Cafe Press : http://www.cafepress.com/JustRidgebacks

Late Afternoon

2011-04-29T18:24:00.002-05:00

Late afternoon, the sun going down behind the big oak tree...me sitting on the back porch. The dogs can be doing the cutest things, but drag out the camera and they no longer will cooperate!

Sizzle ( lying down) and Prize...totally ignoring me, but Prize has her eye on me.

I call her over..she sits instead, looking at me as if to say "You talking to me?"

Guy was looking to the left and right and finally, looked straight at me. Man, that one whisker is white and long!

Magic trying to ignore me and thinking about a nap.

Running!

2011-04-16T17:53:00.002-05:00

A running snapshots of Guy, Magic and Prize charging down the yard...

...and then we go around and do it all over again...

Snacking Season Has Begun

2011-04-11T15:01:00.003-05:00

Ah, yes. It's that time of the year when the dogs and I go on a walkabout....me walking the entire way, them snacking 3/4 s of the way!

First stop - blueberry bushes....

Never mind they are pea sized and still green. They still must taste good. I was complaining about the "pests" eating my blueberries one day and a helpful gentleman told me I needed a large net over my bush. I sighed and told him my "pest" were much too large to be put off by a net..... ;-D

After a nosh of blueberry, we move on to the pears, which are still about as big as the end of my thumb.

Lazy Day

2011-04-07T10:25:00.003-05:00

This morning I went out early and tried to get some bushes under control and we did a walkabout, too. After that, I got a cup of coffee and relaxed with a book on the back porch. It was nice and cool under the porch, but the dogs went out and enjoyed the sunshine.

Oz stretches out in the grass.

Prize found a bone...Hmm, hmm, so good!

Guy and Magic's noses gave them an update on the neighbors.

Darla and Ms Sizzle looking elegant.

That Pesky Squirrel

2011-03-11T07:30:00.001-06:00

The only thing that would tempt my dogs to go out in the wet yard - that pesky squirrel.

Hound Dog Turns Sheepdog

2011-02-25T16:18:00.004-06:00

Lisa and I went over to Heather's to play agility. It was hotter than we expected, so after a run or two, we called it quits. I wanted Prize to see the sheep as a new experience and figured she'd just look...and she did.

While Ellie, Heather's Border Collie, brings the sheep up, my two thought a romp through the field was just fine. Guy showed no interest what so ever in sheep or ducks at the herding day over in Vancleave, so I thought I'd just get some photos of Ellie doing her thing.

Lo and behold, Guy went up to one, sniffs it's rear and turned into a sheepdog! Must have been some magic in there! At first, he wanted to cut one out, then the Ridgeback's job of keeping the stock together kicked in and he was going around them, barking and trying to tighten them up.

Yes, he's just barking...no biting... although he did seem to want to grab one by the ear, but we told him no and he backed off.

Get back with the others!

Guy brings up the rear with Ellie on the far side...

...Not staying bunched up as he would like, so he'd push up and bark.

Ellie moving her charges.. That's Elf, the lamb, there..so cute.

Heather went and got him and we got to pet the little fella.

Look at that cute face!

Strange Moon Happenings

2011-02-15T13:28:00.001-06:00

The moon was out at 7:30 AM...still! Perhaps it was a sign of things to come....

...like "demon-eyed" dogs! LOL!

Christmas Quiet Time

2010-12-25T15:21:00.002-06:00

It's 40 degrees F outside, it's gray, kinda damp and downright sleety... It's cold here in the deep south!

The dogs are all curled up in various parts of the family room...these three are enjoying the flannel sheet I put on the couch.

It's good to be a Ridgeback here....

Our Priorities Are Straight

2010-11-28T06:49:00.004-06:00

The weather was nippy yesterday. Later in the afternoon, the younger dogs were still out in the yard, but Diva and Oz had settled down to the business of the afternoon nap.

Diva likes to wad up the flannel dog bed and curl up on it.

Oz likes to tightly curl into the comforts of the couch.

Herding Day

2010-10-31T17:15:00.002-05:00

Some of our group had a herding day over at the Vancleave arena. We invited others from the area who might be interested, too. There were ducks and sheep to try them on. The "green" dogs went first, then the afternoon was taken by the old pros.

Jennifer brought Matrix and tried him on the ducks.

He was interested in them without being in "killer" mode... something his momma, Diva, is when she sees small feathery critters... I didn't bring her!

See that black and white duck? Matrix was a bit too interested in it ..

After this, we rescued it and put in over in the pen... but Matrix wanted ALL the ducks out...somehow he knew they should all be together.

Just before the rescue!

He followed them right well for a first timer...

Kept his distance, but kept his eye on them...

My other boys weren't interested in ducks, but Magic and Ozzie had a go at the sheep. They weren't sure if they were some strange kind of dog or not. Magic had a good interest, but Ozzie started giving Ellie, the Border Collie, the evil eye....he thought he was suppose to protect the sheep from Ellie! I called it off because he was becoming very vexed at her! LOL!

Whirling Dervishes

2010-10-11T11:40:00.002-05:00

Ah, cool mornings and the dogs are playing - spinning, whirling, jumping and running .... too fast for the camera~

They gang up on one, then another comes in and turns them on another... having a blast!

Diva, center, has started a ruckus, now she stands back and observes her handiwork... another job well done she thinks! LOL!

Even 10 year old Oz is having a fine morning galloping around the tree with the pups in hot pursuit... check out the flexing pastern... always interesting to see.

RRCUS National Specialty 2010 - Finals

2010-09-29T09:26:00.004-05:00

In case you wee wondering why it took me so long to get this section up, it's because I did not download it onto my computer at the end of the show. The photos were on my camera, but as I got on the plane in LA to go to Mobile, my luggage, with the camera connector wire, got on a plane and went to JAPAN! LOL. Finally, my AWOL bag has returned from it's adventure, a bit battered, but with all it's stuff intact. Too bad I couldn't get frequent flier miles out of that!

The last day's loot! So pretty fluttering in the breeze.

The Margaret Lowthian Award for the BOB breeder. Presented this year by Jay Hyman.

The first half of my placements...BOB, WD, BOS, Select Dog and Bitch, the AOMs.

The last half of the line up with my lovely Veteran Dog and Bitch at the end.

The middle half with my Select Dog and Select Bitch leading this bunch. RRCUS gives up to 10 Awards of Merit. AKC threw us the dilemma of what to do about the Selects - do they get Select and AOM or not?? I went to the source: The AKC Judge's Department and asked them. Their answer was SD/SB had to also get an AOM. (Knowing AKC, that could be changed by now depending on how many people complain!)

This is a shot off all who made the final cut before I pulled out my finalists.

Second half of all the survivors. All these handlers/owners deserve much praise for making it all this way. Too bad we don't give more placements!

The last half with the WD/WB at the end, VD/VB next, FD/Fb ahead of them.
They might not have all gotten something, but it's important to me to show them off!

The sun setting at the end of the specialty's final day. It was fitting that the fog had gone away and you could see the Channel Islands off the coast. The end.

RRCUS National Specialty 2010 - Bitches

2010-09-27T17:12:00.005-05:00

Thursday dawned much brighter than the day before, the fog had lifted at last. Today was for the heart and soul of any breed - the bitch classes.

Again we began with the Veteran Bitches - my, oh, my! Talk about some grand old gals!

The 7-9 years Veteran Bitches....very, very lovely class.

The 9-11 year old Veteran Bitches - nice class!

The 11+ years Veteran Class. Grand Old Girls.

The 6-9 months Puppy Bitches.

The 9-12 months Puppy Bitches.

The 12-18 month Junior Bitches. So much quality and depth of quality in the class it was a crime to have only 4 placements!

The Bred By Exhibitor class. WOWSER! This was a huge class of great quality. Again, there were simply not enough ribbons for all that deserved one.

The American Bred class....just as I took this photo, there was a commotion back behind them. Again, lovely winners in this group.

the Open Bitches class. Another huge class of nice bitches.

Going in for Winner's Bitch, my 3 top contenders were from the 12-18 class, the BBE class and the Ambred class. My BBE bitch did not like the whooping of the crowd and Winner's Bitch went to the Ambred who coolly glided around the ring like a champ. Reserve Winner's Bitch went to the 12-18 month Junior Bitch who was equally fantastic.
The Field Bitches. My first place in this class went on to get an Award of Merit.

The Altered Bitch class had some wonderful gals who strutted their stuff, too.

RRCUS National Specialty 2010 - Dogs

2010-09-27T09:20:00.010-05:00

Of all the dog venues, conformation is the cruelest sport. When you get this many wonderful dogs in one place, yet have only a few placements, you have to be ruthless in your cuts. This is heart wrenching for me and heart shattering to exhibitors. You have only a limited amount of time, you must consider the comfort of the dogs and you must select a pattern of examination that works for you in the time allotted.

Add in time for photos, the excited exhibitors wanting to tell you all about their wonderful dogs, manage time for your lunch and a bit of rest , a respite from the sun and getting finished so exhibitors can rush off to get ready for the dinners, seminars, etc and settle their dogs in and one day of this is fun. Two days is beginning to feel like work and by the third day you are beginning to wonder what the heck where you thinking taking this job! Then.... all those gorgeous specials come in the ring - WOW! Judging a specialty is like being caught up in a whirlwind!

You cannot please everyone. The winners will be happy, those not placing will be hurt - it's a fact. You just have to do your best, believe in yourself and develop a thick skin!

I decided that I would take photos of each class after placements. Please remember that the exhibitors are still on a high and some totally wondering how they got there, Not everyone was ready, but that's what the professional photographer is for!

We began with the veterans. ( I was so hoping my make up would make it through this part, because I have a big soft spot for the old guys!)

The 7 to 9 year Veteran Dogs.

The 9 - 11 year Veteran Dogs

The over 11 Veterans... These guys really choke me up. Love old dogs!

The 6-9 pups. They had a ball, I let them sit if they wanted to in order to see their teeth. Pups do get overwhelmed easily. Then the handler could walk them forward for me to see the flow if the neck and shoulders, the ridge, check the tail for kinks and check the testicles on the boys.

Oh, and let me tell you I was impressed with the handlers ability to get these pups around the ring because we had the cheekiest birds landing in the ring and walking around! Pups were very interested in them as well as many of the older Ridgebacks. It did provide some delightful antics!

I took a page from Major Hawley when he judged our specialty in Santa Barbara. I looked at the head planes, the teeth, the ridge and flow to the neck and shoulders, ran my hand down the tail to check for kinks and looked at the feet. RRs do not require a full body massage to assess them. They are short coated, you can step back and see everything you need to see and confirm it on the individual go around.

I took a page from Annie Clark when she judged our specialty in Lexington and used the oval pattern for the “down and back” You get a good look at them going away, a side view and coming back. Very efficient and effective way to see a large group of dogs.
The 9-12 Puppy Dogs

The 12-18 month Junior Dogs

The Bred By Exhibitor Dogs.

The American Bred Dogs.

The Open Dogs.

The magnificent Winner's Dog and his equally fabulous Reserve Winner's Dog.

The Field Dog winners.

The Altered Dog class. ( I love that these guys get to participate, too, even though they don't advance to BOB.)

I was done in after this. The grass on the first day was a bit lumpy, but we flatten it out by the second day!

Stay tuned for the Bitches!

RRCUS National Specialty 2010

2010-09-27T08:29:00.005-05:00

The 2010 Specialty is over and done and it was AWESOME!

The Show committee chairman, Clayton Heathcock, and his co-chair, Cynthia Cartwright, each event chair and their tireless helpers have set a new standard. Anyone who has ever been on a show committee would be duly impressed. It's hard, exacting, exhausting in it's details and execution to put on one show, much less a multi-event show over 7 days.

Lure coursing, agility, obedience, rally, sweepstakes, conformation PLUS all the seminars, dinners, meetings, organizing the arrival and departures of judges and presenters takes planning to the minute detail.

Ladies and gentlemen of the committee - I applaud you!

My part of the show began early on Wednesday. I did get up extra early and run out on to the boardwalk to take some photos of the scene. The beach in front of the hotel is dog friendly and a surfer's beach. I could not resist photos of Ridgebacks and surfers together.

The stately palms on the plaza outside the hotel.

The surfers were out before the birds were up. ( Note the sleepy bird on top of the light pole.)

Looking toward the pier to the left.

Catching a wave.

Paddling out.

Looking along the boardwalk to the right and towards the fairgrounds.

Lots of walkers even at this early hour.

Ridgebackers taking their dogs for a morning walk.

Some surfers used paddles..

From my balcony, a surfer rides the waves at the point.

Our Dog Sitter

2010-09-20T20:18:00.003-05:00

I'm going off to Ventura, CA to the RR Nationals tomorrow, so Liz and her RR, Henna Moon, are gonna sit my guys while I'm gone.

They've decided she's really cool and have taken to her like white to rice. (L to R) Guy snuggles, Prizes sits on her and Oz positions himself to get some petting.

Prize does love to sit on something... in this case, Oz... Oz says he's not giving up his spot!
Magic looks miffed and Guy schmoozes with Liz.

After several walks about the yard, Henna says she's gonna take a nap right here. She had a great time smelling all those new things.... She'll be ready to go again tomorrow.

New Title!

2010-08-07T19:55:00.003-05:00

From Bruce Plaiss ( who is owned and loved by Ch Amber OA, OAJ, RN):

Amber has a new title: OAJ and needs one more Std to finish her OA title. This happened Friday, two one hundred scores, a second place (JWW) and a third place (Std). Both runs were under time. WE rested to-day and go back for Sundays action. Susan, my middle daughter showed her (She was going to fly to Ca. to show her in Agility but that's another story.) I was so happy that I could cry, but yet heart broken that she got out there and did so good with Susan.

Wish us Luck for Sunday

Bruce

** Amber couldn't be shown at the specialty in CA, because I'm judging the conformation classes and the agility is considered a part of the specialty.

****UPDATE: As you might have noticed it is no longer NA it's OA. Got the last OA this PM. Second place no less. Bombed out on the EX JWW course, about 15 minutes between the runs on a long hot day. I would say that Amber had a good weekend three of four Q's and three placements, plus the two titles.

Bruce

Checking In

2010-07-30T19:59:00.002-05:00

Catherine brought Angus and her new pup, Darcy, over for a short visit this evening. It was very, very hot, but Angus, Guy, Magic and Prize were busy playing rough, so we had to watch Ms Darcy to keep her out of harms way.

Darcy's litter was quite ill, so she and her littermates have some catching up to do in the growth department.

Catherine said she'd already gained two pounds. We talked about the best food for her, so I'm sure she'll be up to speed in no time at all!

After the boys wore themselves out, we all came back inside and Ms Darcy discovered the knuckle bones and began to enjoy the heck outta them.

She even entertained us by leaping and barking at one... Guy and Angus came over to try and figure out what the fuss was all about....

Sizzle made sure Darcy was okay...

Decisions, decisions! Which one of these bones tastes the best??? She finally picked one and got to take it home.

Most gals sit in the guy's lap.... Guy, however, sits on their laps! Guy really just wants a good back scratching and Catherine obliges.

What's A Fella To Do?

2010-07-13T13:32:00.003-05:00

Although it was hot yesterday afternoon, I went out to walk and the dogs went, too. One's in season, so Ozzie doesn't stay out long before he has to go check that she is still locked up safe in a room.

Done his thing, now he's headed back to the house... head down, all business. Always was a good mover... Oz is 10 now, but he's still got it!

Magic just plopped down.... he was hot after running around with Guy and Prize. Just minding his own business when...

....Prize comes charging over and proceeds to put a whooping on the poor fella. She may be little, but she's a pistol!

Reflections

2010-05-27T18:33:00.002-05:00

We're all getting older around here and showing it...

Sizzle's getting gray in the face....

She's still got it though.... trotting along with her son, Magic (L), she's got no problem keeping up.

Oz is 10 now, but he's a puppy at heart.... Loves to carouse around with the pups, especially in the morning.

Lil Prize

2010-05-22T14:25:00.002-05:00

My itty bitty Ridgeback, Prize....taking herself a rest on the dog bed. She'd be ready to go in a flash though, if I'd just give the word.

Is Everyone Ready?

2010-05-16T08:39:00.002-05:00

At the gate, ready to blast off around the yard on our morning walk.... Guy looks around to see if everyone is lined up and ready to go. Funny how they have to make sure all the other dogs are set to go together.

Where Is He?

2010-05-07T14:47:00.003-05:00

A distance shot of Guy, Sizzle and Darla by the pecan tree....

Just a phrase "Where is he?" and they all look up...

We live to hunt the squirrel......

Mobile Kennel Club Match - May 1

2010-05-01T12:18:00.004-05:00

Mobile Kennel Club held a fun match at the park this morning. When I got up, it was muggy and threating rain.

"I'm not going" , I thought.....then the coffee kicked in while I was reading my emails and I thought "Well, maybe I will go". So, I gathered up Magic and he and I went.

He's looking better, but still never going to have the depth of chest I want. Still, he had a good time, met some Lab pups that he liked, ate lots of treats and played at being a show dog - We had fun.

Magic and this cute Lab girl really took a shine to one another. He's got a good eye, 'cause she's a cutie!

This St Bernard looks like he really rather be chilling out on a couch somewhere.

One of the darling Lab pups that Anirah and Martha had there.

Two Frenchies watching the fun...

The black Lab pup....mighty handsome fella.... He won the Puppy Sporting Group.

Magic's new girlfriend (R) and another of the Lab pups.

Best Adult in Match went to Lee's German Shepherd Dog - Tank.

Keeping A Vigil

2010-04-18T10:03:00.002-05:00

Just let me put out birdseed and squirrels descend from miles around to gobble all the seeds they can....at least it seems that way...

The dogs love for squirrels to come to the feeder. They will spend most of the day under the bird feeder waiting on that darned squirrel..... of course, the birds aren't happy about that because they can't visit and get an easy meal until late evening when the dogs go in to eat.

Prize can't wait for the fruit season.... She's already checking for budding fruit on both the persimmon and pear trees.

Just For Laughs

2010-03-10T17:55:00.002-06:00

The Four Types of Dog Vomit
--author unknown

YELLOW URKA-GURKAS
Dog runs around the house and hides under furniture while making aprolonged “uuuurka-guuurka, uuurka-guuurka” noise. (This noise is the only thing guaranteed to wake up a true dog lover who is hung-over from a post dog show celebration at 3:30 am.) After mad scrambling to capture the dog and drag him outside the episode ends with an indelible ten yard line of slimy yellow froth from living room rug to back door.

BLAP DISEASE
Dog exercises hard and a) eats large mouthfuls of snow (Winter Blap Disease), or, b) drinks a bucket of water (Summer Blap Disease). Within 2 minutes of returning inside the dog spews out large amounts of clear slimy liquid while making a
distinctive 'blap' sound and sharp percussive noise as it hits the linoleum.

GARKS
Dog suddenly clears his throat with loud and dramatic 'gggaark, gggark,' noises, generally followed by prolonged 'iiikssss' and then loud satisfied smacking noises. There is nothing on the rug. Don't investigate. You don't want to know.

RALFS
Apropos of nothing, the dog strolls into the dining room and waits 'til the innocent dinner guests are all watching him. Then with a single deep gut-wrenching 'raaaalfff' disgorges the entire week's contents of his stomach on the dining room rug.

VARIATION: then he eats it.
VARIATION: all your other dogs rush to eat it.

In all the above events, the dog is entirely healthy and, indeed, deeply pleased with himself.

Just Stick To The Path

2010-02-23T12:10:00.002-06:00

Although the backyard is about 4 acres, the dogs will follow a path - mine around the edge of the yard, or their own paths from one favorite spot to the other - only the thrill of seeing a squirrel or potential intruder will pull them off a path at full tilt.

I looked behind me and saw Guy and Darla coming from the pecan tree, where they had been looking for squirrels, over to my path coming to join me...

Guy's got that jaunty, ear flipped thing going.... kind of a "devil-may-care" attitude as he trots along.

Misty Morning

2010-01-19T11:22:00.002-06:00

It was a foggy morning, but the temperature was just right for a terrific walk about the yard. Although just a few yards in front, the "pack" is caught in the mist.

I was trying for some bird photos and kept looking up into the trees. Guy thought he'd help me look, too.

The Winter Sun

2010-01-18T10:13:00.003-06:00

I like the winter here in the south. Usually mid forties to sixties during the day. Although last week it was awfully cold! Anyway, the winter sun is more south and casts strong shadows during the day.

This morning's temperatures were just right for a walk aroung the yard. Here's Magic (L) and Prize (R) waiting at the gate area. From this point they have a dust up with Ozzie, Sizzle and Guy, then all streak for the back part of the yard.

This is a great area for posing dogs.... they are all alert and ready to rumble!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T07:00:00.002-06:00

It's a cold morning here, so I thought I'd post these photos from yesterday when it was uncommonly warm and the sun was glorious.

Don't you just love the way dogs look at you sometime , like they are enthralled by your every word? Darla probably thinks I'm saying something about a squirrel...

I took these two photos of (L to R) Ozzie, Darla and Guy standing by the fence between my neighbor's house and mine. I liked that their heads were about all the same height in this one...All three are very uniform in size... pleasing to the eye.

....and I liked that Oz and Guy's heads were up and had that "far seeing" expression in this one... I don't know what Darla saw.... a bug perhaps?

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T06:58:00.002-06:00

On the eve of Christmas, all the pups were snoozing in peace and harmony....

Prize using Ozzie for her pillow....

Diva sharing her bed with Magic....

This First Day of Christmas has dawned cold and windy, but the dogs LOVE that and are already....

Have a very happy Christmas season and a safe and joyful New Year!

The Sun Finally Came Out!

2009-12-10T11:07:00.003-06:00

It's been miserable for the last two days and the dogs and I have been itching to get out and have our morning walk. The day started icky, but cleared up, dried up and off we went.

Guy sees something over in the field next door.... or wants desperately to see something exciting.

Diva (L) and Darla (R) -mother and daughter, strike a pretty pose for the camera.

Cozy

2009-12-04T10:41:00.003-06:00

It's supposed to get all rainy and sleety this afternoon, so the dogs and I got out and had our daily walk early. Boy! Was it cold. Of course, that just made the gang friskier and they romped and played like there was no tomorrow.

Now we are back in the house, all cozy and warm and as I went through the great room, I looked around and my tuckered out, snoozing dogs.

L to R: Magic, Prize and Ozzie all curled up on the round dog bed.

Guy on the bed by the television...

Diva and Darla curled up on the loveseat.

...and Sizzle with the couch all to herself.

Ah, the life of a dog is good here!

Waiting For Ida

2009-11-08T11:23:00.002-06:00

Well, there is a late season storm going to come this way. While it's not likely to be a bad storm, it's always smart to be prepared.

While I was filling up containers with water to freeze and washing clothes, I happened through the living room and noticed what the dogs were doing for their preparations - NOTHING!

Perfecting their couch potato position is more like it.... the tight curl.

The relaxed into the pillow head rest.....

....and then there's this. There's always one in the crowd who just has to be different. In this case, it's Guy, who loves to snooze on his back.

Fall Afternoon

2009-10-21T08:56:00.003-05:00

I was out on the evening walk about and came to the persimmon tree. I tried to get the photo of all the dogs staring up, longing for the sweet treats that are so tantalizingly out of reach. Just get out the camera though and they all will turn and look at me. When I tried to tell them to look up, they just gaze off looking for squirrels.

The gazing does make for nice photos....

Finally got Diva staring up, trying to decide if she could jump that high. There aren't any that are ready to eat yet, so we all walked on.

A Ridgeback and It's Treats

2009-10-06T15:01:00.002-05:00

The pears are quite ripe now and the dogs relish them to the point they forget about me walking around the yard. Snacking is the preferred pastime. Here's Guy finishing off his pear.

Here's Darla getting started on her second one. There's only ONE thing that could draw them off.....

A SQUIRREL in the pecan tree.....they can't stand it, gotta get that varmint on the move!

What a Handsome Fella!

2009-10-03T16:44:00.004-05:00

I was thumbing through a catalog today, when a very handsome, male model caught my eye. What a hunk!

Er, did I mention it was a pet catalog? KV Pet's new fall catalog to be exact, and there on page 109 was an eye- catching Ridgeback head.

Hey, that dog looks like Guy...... hey, that IS Guy!

I'd forgotten I'd entered some photos in KV Vet's photo contest. Turns out Guy was one of the three finalists for "cover dog". Beaten by a cute puppy though... what'cha gonna do??

I'm happy ..... it was a great surprize.

A Typical Evening Walk

2009-09-02T17:47:00.006-05:00

We are done with the evening feeding, now it's time to get out and do my evening walk around the backyard.The dogs race over to the gate....start rough housing and streak off for the pear tree.... I get to eat their dust.

Not started yet.... Sizzle (L) and Darla (R) appear to be doing a "double take".

Sizzle throws a foot over Oz..... "Let's rumble!"

Guy comes over from the pear tree....note the pear in his mouth...'cause he wants to get in on the fun when Mama Sizzle puts a whumping on Grandpa Oz....

Guy thinks they are just wasting time with all this posturing... "Let me play, too!"

.... I'll get'em going with my mock charge.... to heck with that pear!

Magic in a still moment... not the prettiest of poses, but he's STILL.

Prize enjoying tearing up a pine cone.... I don't get it... it certainly isn't tasty...

"Poop" Elf?

2009-08-16T17:32:00.004-05:00

The most helpful beetles have moved into my yard!After reading the Harry Potter books, I wanted to have a house elf - instead, I got "poop" elves - even better when you have a bunch of dogs!

This morning, I timed them....a pile of poop at 8 AM, will be a pile of dirt by 2 PM. There's a bunch of them in the yard... by 2 PM, there is no morning poop to pick up. I feel like I've won the lottery!

Apparently there are two working in tunnels below the poop. The female tunnels and the male shoves out the dirt. The female takes the poop below, deposits her eggs in it and a week later, you've got babies feeding on that and on to your next generation.

In this photo, the beetle looks green, but it either has yellow on it, too, or is iridescent on it's back...at any rate, it's colorful.

This pile of dirt is the result of their hard work. Not only do they get rid of the poop, they aerate the soil, too.

I looked up these nice helpful beetles...they are African-Asian in origin. The link is to a taxonomy site, the paragraph below it is from a site about TX agriculture and the benefits of these to cattle.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6180

From a site about the benefits of dung beetles for cattle and pastures:

Another group are the ‘tunnelers.’ An example of this group is Onthophagus gazella, which typically bury the dung balls under the manure pat or close to the edge. Piles of soil next to the dung pat are indicators of tunneler-type dung beetle activity. Collectively, tunnelers and tumblers are classified as ‘nesters’ because of their behavior in preparing a home for their young. The third group of beetles that use dung are the ‘dwellers’. Most dwellers belong to the subfamily Aphodiidae. They live within the manure pat, engage in little to no digging, and generally do not form brood balls.

If you live in TX, you can get some from the Agricultural extension services.... they are spread out from CA to SC, but no further north than SC. Wouldn't help those north of that line.

Afternoon Walk About

2009-08-08T18:06:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not, this is a photo of a tailless Squirrel....well, not totally tailless, she/he has a short nub sans long hair. It was sitting up in the pine enjoying a pine cone's goodies when the dogs and I came along. Once it got up and scampered away, I saw it was devoid of a tail..... looked like a tree climbing, short tailed rat!

Sizzle (L) and Ozzie (R).... they sure do look alike to be daughter and father.

Darla looking good....though she's a bit baggy in the underline right now... having a false pregnancy.

Guy and Sizzle are startled at the sound behind them... Mr Magic leaping up for a persimmon. He didn't get one....

He only did that because he had just seen Diva jump up and get one and she doesn't share!

Outside - Then Chill

2009-08-07T13:48:00.003-05:00

Guy checking the trees for squirrels..... really hot and humid these August days, so the dogs and I walk early mornings or really late. Regardless, it really takes a lot out of us......

Mr Magic is totally wiped out....

Oh, The Joys Of A Doggy Door

2009-08-02T08:11:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, it rained and rained and rained. One thunderstorm after another. The front and backyards became lakes.

I had mowed the backyard first thing in the morning, good thing, too, because by 10 AM it came a gully washer - a preview of the rest of the day. Nothing to do but flop on the couch and read a bit.

Of course, the puppies - now 9 months old - were still brimming with energy and had to run out in the yard in between showers to race around, get wet and nasty, then fly back in the house to find me and shake. Seems like all I really did was to dry them off, throw towels in the washer, flop on the couch, dry them off, throw towels in the washer....well, you get the picture.

Finally, around 5 PM, the rains subsided, the dogs got fed and we all sort of settled down. I was laying on the couch, trying to finish a chapter of the book I was reading. Magic was right beside me, looking at something on the floor. He'd slap at it, bounce a bit,then poke me with his nose. Look what I've found!!

I was a bit irritated by then and kept telling him to settle down. He had been playing with a rubber squeaky toy and I was sure it was stuck under the couch where I was. Either that or a dying cricket was crawling by....

"Please, just let me finish this chapter and I'll get the danged toy out!"

Finally, the end of the chapter. I raise up and look down.

What is that?? (My glasses were on top of my head) I pull the glasses down, get them adjusted and have another look.

IT'S A BOX TURTLE!

A small, baseball sized little box turtle. Poor thing! I pick it up - now,all the dogs want it.... grabbed the camera and took it out on the front porch. The poor creature's front carpace had been gnawed off by the dogs.

.....and it was bleeding....

Poor baby turtle. I cleaned it off and applied antiseptic and took it out into the front and returned it to nature. I guess all that water had flushed the little fella out and when the pups were out on one of their forays, they'd found it and brought it in.

It's mostly a good thing to have a dog door - but, then there's the possibility of stuff like this, too!

Family Reunion

2009-07-21T07:17:00.003-05:00

L to R: Lulu, Guy, Sizzle, Ozzie & Prize

Lulu, Guy's littermate came to visit for a couple of days while her family went to the beach. She and Magic were inseparable and played constantly - by playing, I mean they rough-housed! Lulu being older and heavier, gave poor Magic a thrashing.

Lulu (L), Magic (R)

So much so that Guy had to remind her not to play so rough. She got it and things proceed much smoother the rest of the time. Of course, Magic loved all of it.

Guy, Lulu, Magic

My dogs proceed from the gate area to the pear tree to get treats. Lulu didn't quite know about this, but watched and was soon snacking right along with the others.

Diva, Magic, Lulu and Prize in back

My 15 Minutes of Fame

2009-07-03T09:36:00.005-05:00

The AKC puts out a Breeder's on line newsletter featuring various health topics, how-to articles and interviews with successful breeders. It comes out quarterly and the newest summer quarter issue is on line now.

My 15 minutes of fame is in there:

Summer Newsletter

Arlis, the author, was looking for topics about evaluating litters and came across a page on my website on just that topic. She also got a kick out of my blogs - (Don't I LOVE that!) and found the photo of the last litter that's featured in the article. It's one of the little darlings right after I discovered they'd made confetti out of their puppy pen. I'd spent about an hour redoing it and making it all neat and tidy and it took them about 10 minutes to trash it. Oh, but they'd had a wonderful time! The stinkers.

Anyway, thought you'd enjoy the article and learn a bit, too.

After Dinner Snack

2009-05-29T07:05:00.006-05:00

After dinner last night, we all went for a walk about and the dogs felt they needed yet another nosh. Although the pears are only slightly larger than a ping pong ball, they are apparently still quite tasty.

Here's Guy jumping up to get one. That's Prize in front of him taking in his technique.
Here she goes..... taking aim, already salivating over the deliciousness of the morsel she's about to snag.

She JUMPS, she SCORES!

That was so good, she's aiming for another one....

Got it!

While Prize has still got some growing to do and has to jump...others can simply stand and reach up for theirs.... like Ms Sizzle in the background.

Fun In The Sun....and Shade

2009-05-20T12:26:00.004-05:00

Darla (L) and Guy (R) LOVE to run and race one another. Guy got ahead by starting out first, but Darla's trying hard to catch up. Don't you just love those ears flying out to the side?

By the time I get back up to the patio, they are all standing there like they've been there all along and have been just keeping up with what's be going on in the yard.

L to R: Diva, Darla and Guy.

Grandma Brag

2009-05-19T10:06:00.002-05:00

Just got a post from Bruce: Amber now has her Rally Novice title, too. So she is Ch Kalahari Uzuri at Windridge NA, NAJ, RN. Way to go Team Amber!

Rainy Day

2009-05-04T19:12:00.004-05:00

What do Ridgebacks do on a rainy day?

Hog the sofa, of course!

It's Official - Summer Snake Season Is Here

2009-04-28T17:21:00.002-05:00

I'd mowed in the back and part of the yard by the back patio, but it was getting hot and I needed to go to Wally World, so I left the rest for the evening. After I got back, I started out the back door to put some seed out in the bird feeder when I noticed a dark squiggly line in the yard.

A black snake was lying out there in the mowed area... the dogs were oblivious to it.. the pups were romping around... hadn't noticed it at all. Snakes must not have much scent.

I decided to run get the camera and once I had it and stepped out to photograph the snake, then Sizzle noticed it and went toward it.

It kicked into gear and scooted off outside the fence in a hurry!

Snacking Season Begins

2009-04-17T06:48:00.006-05:00

The yard delicacies - although still green- are already being eaten by the dogs.

There's the green, ping pong ball sized pears...... Guy loves to show off by jumping for them.

There's the wild huckleberry bushes... Here's Diva, Darla and Sizzle munching away.

Polo and Sizzle enjoying a nosh.....

And for their snacking enjoyment, the dewberries have bloomed and are putting on berries. Amazingly, given they willingly eat "green" fruit, the dogs will only eat the dark, ripe dewberries

Oh, and they are also into the green, domesticated blueberry bushes, too. There's a photo over on the Puppy Watch blog.

We're Bushed...

2009-04-13T12:15:00.003-05:00

I left last Friday to judge a show on Saturday in PA. I came back on Sunday. There's nothing more tiring than trooping through airports, waiting around airports and being squashed into a seat with a bunch of strangers for several hours. I was so glad to get home...

Me and the dogs are just worn out....

I know what I did, but what were they up to??????

Balancing Act

2009-04-05T10:47:00.006-05:00

Finally! Life around here is getting back in balance after a week with little to no internet, rain, rain and more rain, got the mower back and cut the hay field that my yard had turned into and it was a beautiful day and a great time for a walk about.

The dogs gathered in their starting spot - L to R: Prize, Guy, Magic and Sizzle.

I'm taking photos and Guy and Magic are wondering why aren't we starting to walk... which is their signal to start rough housing with one another.

I'm ready, Boss!

Prize is set to go by the gate...

Along the way, the pups find something interesting and tasty in the grass.

Mr Guy looking quite dapper....

We had a really good time!

Family Reunion Weekend

2009-03-16T10:24:00.003-05:00

The weekend was a three day agility trial put on by my dog club, Mobile Bay Dog Training Club.

Bruce Plaiss and his granddaughter, Harley, and Amber ( Ozzie X Diva) came down from north Alabama to compete. Also present was Jennifer from Ocean Springs, MS with Matrix, Amber's littermate. I had Darla, Matrix and Amber's older, but full sister, and Guy, first cousin.

Darla qualified in Novice Standard on Saturday to get her second leg - one more to go! Amber qualified in Novice Standard on Sunday to get her first leg - two more to go.

Matrix and Guy had flashes of brilliance, but bobbled a couple of things.....but had a ball doing it!

Harley and Amber...

Jennifer and Matrix .....He does kisses so well....

The lovely Amber - nice and posed....

Matrix looking regal....

.....and more regal looking... (Notice Matrix's tail...it was broken as a pup. )

Guy was a tired fella when he got home.....me, too!

Lovely Afternoon for a Walk

2009-02-20T16:13:00.004-06:00

Prize was having a fit of the zoomies around the yard this afternoon...

Darla and Sizzle had better things to do.... like look for the squirrel......who was trying hide from me on the backside of a small tree.

Can you see him/her? Here's the little fella/gal from the opposite side..

For some great treats, gear and training tips, click on the image below!

Dog Walks Around the World

2009-02-15T13:07:00.002-06:00

Following another link, I came upon this interesting site:

Dog Walks Around the World

If you have a favorite dog walk area, list it with them and share.

For some great treats, gear and training tips, click on the image below!

The Cone of Terror

2009-02-13T16:40:00.004-06:00

Ms Sizzle had a lump removed from her chin and has to wear one of those weird plastic cones to keep her from scratching it or rubbing her chin. Of course, she was royally pissed about it for for the rest of the day.

Then we went outside for a walk and the pups began hanging on her collar, biting the front of the plastic - in other words - making a pest of themselves! Sizzle tolerated them okay and I fussed at them to leave her alone. We managed to get our walk in and through the night.

Today, is a different matter, she has gotten use to it and is now terrorizing the rest of us! She joins in the running, smashing the collar into the other dogs and startling them, ramming me in the rear and making furniture go flying about in her wake.

Sure will be glad when she gets that off!

Ah, Peace

2009-02-08T09:51:00.003-06:00

Ozzie, who is afraid of puppies, has finally gotten the idea that Magic and Prize are now little dogs who will not race up to him nor crash into him and he's finally accepting them. Left to right - Magic, Guy and Oz. Bless his heart, he is such a doofus sometime.

Passing Down the Knowledge

2009-02-01T09:57:00.004-06:00

What are these dogs doing? Why they are truffling, of course! Huh?

No, this isn't France or Italy kind of truffles, these are what I call the Twaalfacker truffle. (Twaalfacker is Africaner for Twelve Oaks) These little morsels of fungi grow just beneath the grass and they are best in the months of December, January and early February when it's cold and wet.

The important part is my dogs LOVE THEM and pass down the art of truffling to the new generation.
Puppies pick this up fast. They investigate what the adults are doing by sniffing with them and learn the scent fast..

Here they are learning from the best...Diva...who's not sharing hers with anybody!

Here's Prize finding her own....Lesson learned.

Puppy Evaluations Revisited

2009-01-22T13:45:00.005-06:00

Prize resembles her Australian ancestors as she has more "arch" over the loin area than we usually see here in the US. She's also still a bit broad in the body, but seems to be growing to fit herself more each day. She's got a lot of front - a good thing - and a really deep chest - both remarkable for her tender age.

Prize again...showing a good length of neck..

There's a bunch here of Magic...at first his tail was going a mile a minute..

...and then he settled down a bit. I put lots on here as it for other interested parties to see and evaluate.

He could use a bit of Prize's depth of chest, but it's more typical for pups to look like him at this age, than like her.

Stephanie said she could see the "adult dog" in him, whereas Prize is very puppyish in appearance still. In the photos, it seems just the opposite. I suppose it's just a trick of the eye?

Love his face, angles, bone and topline at this age. We'll just have to wait a couple more weeks to see how they grow.

The Lovely Ms Sizzle

2009-01-13T15:28:00.003-06:00

Sizzle strikes a pose while the rest of the gang check out where some doves had been.

Ah, The Good Life

2009-01-06T14:37:00.003-06:00

Got this photo of Guy, who will be 2 years old the end of the month, in the yard during our walk about.

Top to bottom: Guy, 11 week old Prize and 11.5 year old Polo enjoy a snooze on the round dog bed.

Later I came back into the room to find Guy doing his contortionist imitation...

Whoa!

2008-12-28T09:31:00.002-06:00

" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Irnlc50CZ4/SVeb_RfUJbI/AAAAAAAABzE/uO2Sb_SD_5M/s640/Whoa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284864199071376818" border="0" />Puppy's new toy has been confiscated by Guy. It's hilarious to see him flying around the yard with it in his mouth and hearing it say "Whoa! Whoa!"

Twaalfakker Truffle Season

2008-12-28T09:14:00.002-06:00

Cold and wet is perfect for "truffling" in the Kalahari compound. No, they aren't the French and Italian versions, but they are associated with young oak trees, they are some sort of fungi and they are normally found just below the grass top at the root.

They are pinkish in color and if you break them open they have a milkly ooze that comes out to coat the "wound". Raw - they taste nutty....but sliced and saute with butter they are the manna of the Gods! Very rich and delicious!

Here's Sizzle....she's the best of my dogs for finding them for ME. All I have to say is "Find me one" and she starts working that nose and will indicate where one is so I can get it. Diva, on the other hand, will not share and scarfs down any she finds at warp speed.

Here's the group all searching for truffles for themselves. The season is short for the best ones...usually December and January are best.

1st Grading Photos

2008-12-12T13:17:00.005-06:00

Puppies are 8 weeks old today, so Stephanie came over to help take photos. Even though they don't all have show quality ridges ( or no ridge at all), I still like to have a record of their body type and structure to add to my knowledge.

First up is Prize...otherwise known as Mz Piggie....Stephanie asked if she let the others have any food.... She is a chunky little gal!

She is an interesting puppy....lots of forechest, good and deep in the chest, nice shoulder return, but she could have more layback and be smoother across the shoulder. Topline looks okay, tail set is good, but we'll have to see is she gets some slope to the croup as she gets older. I would like to see a slight bit more length in the second thigh and lower in the hocks. Just have to rephoto her at 12 weeks...

Next is Magic...not fully cooperating with us, but I like his overall balance, length of neck, lovely headpiece...just stops nice and square every time. More layback and a longer upper arm than Prize, not quiet as much forchest, but certainly adequate. Good depth of body, nice length of second thigh. I'm holding on to him and re-evaluating him as 12 weeks.

This is the short ridged girl...known to me as the Prima Dona....She wants what she wants and right now...or she screams until she gets it! A cute personality though overall. Like Prize, she hasn't wasted any time scarfing down her food, but she is nicely balanced and will be a beautiful pet for someone

One crowned girl is the smallest of the lot but takes no guff off anyone. She too is an attractive pup and would have easily been show quality, except for her missing "crown". She is most like Magic in her build.

The South Africn Lion Hound...aka the ridgeless boy...He is a handsome puppy,balanced, smooth in the shoulders, nice layback and upper arm, well angulated behind.....if not for he absence of a ridge, he'd be a contenter for sure!

Let's Play!

2008-11-21T08:35:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day and the pups got to get out and meet and greet the big dogs. Guy thought they were wonderful....a whole new bunch of play pals. Here's Guy meeting one of them and trying to engage in play.

...and, bless him, Guy is so gentle with them....he never gets rough and makes sure he doesn't accidentally hit one of them .

Winter Sunshine and Shadows

2008-11-11T15:13:00.001-06:00

Darla and Oz strike a pose.....

Getting Out Of Exile Soon

2008-11-09T07:32:00.003-06:00

Ms Darla is in season and finally over the worst of it...the worst being the boys screaming and whining constantly and me being ready to pinch their heads off. Lordy! Thank goodness they've calmed down....now just a couple of more days for her to be completely out and we can all go back to normal.

Here she is in "exile" in the computer room....

Head's Up!

2008-11-06T08:59:00.004-06:00

From the old guys like Polo, who is 11.5 years old and has such dignity and an air of gentlemanly sereneness...

To Sizzle who is beginning to gray on her muzzle...

To Guy, who's not quite 2 years old yet....

There is both variety and handsomeness, too.

Oh, Boy! Company!

2008-10-25T11:42:00.003-05:00

Gail, Bill and Kona stopped by to bring us some newspaper for the puppy pen. The dogs were so happy to have company. Guy, especially, loves company and he and Kona had a ball playing.

They took them on a walk about around the back and I caught this photo of (Left to right) - Guy, Kona and Oz as they came running towards me..

I imagine Ms Kona will sleep well the rest of the day and be thankful that Guy doesn't live with them all the time.

He's A Running Fool

2008-10-12T09:49:00.003-05:00

Guy LOVES to run and he eggs on the others to run and chase him..

One of their favorite things to do is chase each other around and around the leaning cedar tree. There's a regular track around the base...

That blur is Guy and he's got Ozzie to chase him...

It's a grand way to wear out a pup...... a tired puppy is a good puppy!

Taffy the Collie Colored Ridgeback

2008-10-07T13:26:00.004-05:00

Ms Taffy is one of the dogs I rescued and rehomed. Bless her heart, she has a bad case of "kennelosis" - meaning she was never socialized or taken anywhere except the vet's office and lived her early life outside in a pen. Strange things - anything other than what she knows - scares her.

I kept her for 8 months before I made any headway in getting her to be a somewhat normal dog. It took another 8 months for her to start to settle in her new home with the Romanos.

However, if they go on vacation, have work done on their home, etc, Taffy comes to stay here where she'll be happy as a clam to play with Guy and chase the squirrels in the backyard.
She's an unusual color for a Ridgeback. She shows her Collie ancestry in her distinctive coloration. I used her as my example of the Collie coloration on my Odd Colored RRs page.

Guy, on the other hand, displays normal RR wheaten color.... with a bit of dappling courtesy of sunlight filtering through the trees.

Little Moments of Bliss

2008-10-04T17:58:00.003-05:00

It was a lazy kind of Saturday and the evening walk about was going as usual. Here Guy waits for Ozzie to come zooming around the cedar tree and they run around and around and around it.... notice it already has a race track look about it - no grass around the tree and the dirt is "walled" up around the outer edges.

I meandered on around and came to my growing patch of purple wildflowers, so I took a photo... When I got back to the porch, lo and behold, there was a Spice Bush Swallowtail butterfly resting on the arm of one if the lawn chairs.

.... and then - Danger! Danger! Will Robinson! Ack! The butterfly caught the attention of Diva - never a good thing if you are some small creature - but amazingly, Diva just sniffed it and it just moved around, then moved on.

Love Ears & Other Looks

2008-09-30T08:44:00.005-05:00

I asked Ms Darla to sit and she did, but she gave me her "love ears" look.... in this case, it's a "I love you, but did I do something wrong ?" kind of a look. An enthusiastic "Brilliant dog!" quickly changed her demeanor to a more outgoing, happy go lucky look... commonly found on Mr Guy..... er, or maybe is a "Duh...what'd you say?"

The Morning WalkAbout

2008-09-28T14:32:00.003-05:00

Around my backyard it's about 1/4 mile and I try and do a total of 6 trips in the summer time. Sometimes more ( or less) depending on the heat, humidity and the snake sightings. ( One snake, I keep walking... I figure that 2 snakes is a sign to get myself inside!) Anyway, this is a view from the back or second leg around the yard.

This is a view from the 3rd leg and it's a prime Squirrel sighting area as they like to eat the pine cones in the trees back here. Today was such a nice morning that even Ms Sunday (13+ yrs) went once around with us.

Mr Majestic

2008-09-24T08:45:00.003-05:00

Okay, the early morning light was a bit too much in this photo, but Guy had struck such a majestic pose that I just had to post it.

A Little This, A Little That

2008-09-21T14:24:00.003-05:00

In the mornings I like to sit in the chair by the window and drink my coffee. Diva, not being a cuddly kind of dog, has her own way of being close to me - she likes to get on the back of the chair. To someone watching, it looks like she's wrapped around my shoulders. (I'm surprised she let me take this.... she usually jumps up, hops off and thinks we are ready to go for the morning walk about.)

During the morning walk about, I happened to look up along the back stretch and there was some more of that funky fungi. I don't think I've ever seen it before.... could be it's just seasonal??? I don't know...

This extended way up this Chinese Tallow tree.

Morning Antics

2008-09-20T12:16:00.003-05:00

Guy was already outside, sitting on the porch, when I went out for the morning walk. I have no idea why he decided to sit in the chair..... perhaps to get a better look at something?

I took this one over by the old oak tree. Guy and Darla had pointed out something interesting in the tree. I took a standing photo of them and the thing in the tree and posted it to My Camera's Eye.... so check it out.

Once we get out past the shed, they all have a bit of a dust up... running, jumping, chasing, barking and just having a good time the way only Ridgebacks can do!

Looks like Darla's chasing Guy - right? Nope....

Darla found something to roll in and went on her way. ... then Guy came over and rolled around, too. I didn't get him in focus until he'd finished and stood up.

Just another fun day here at Kalahari RRs.... :-)

What's Up?

2008-09-17T11:16:00.003-05:00

Oz sees it.....

Darla and Sizzle see it....

and there's Himself enjoying a morning breakfast of pine cone seeds.

How Time Flies!

2008-09-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

On our walk about this morning, I shot this photo of Ozzie. My goodness, how grey he is getting! He turned 8 years old this year and it hardly seems possible. He's still a puppy at heart though, and is always ready bounce and run full tilt with Guy, Darla, Sizzle and the Diva.
Squirrel in the pine tree and Darla sees him! Great squirrel dog that she is, she's the one to watch when all the dogs are gathered around the trees. Sharp-eyed gal!

Birthday Girl

2008-09-06T13:14:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday, Diva!

Diva is 9 years old today..... she sure doesn't act like it, but she is getting a bit grey faced.... still my brilliant Diva Dog.

You Handsome Dog You!

2008-09-05T13:50:00.003-05:00

I went over to Gene and Naomi Harkey's this morning to visit and do Jaxon's nails. The Harkeys are the folks I got my original RRs from - Leo and Patty. Now they just get their dogs from me. Jaxon was a returned dog and he has the ABSOLUTE best temperament ever. He is the perfect dog from them - he is big, but gentle as he can be around them. Jaxon's always so happy to see me, even if I am there to do his nails.

Morning Fun

2008-08-29T12:52:00.003-05:00

When I go to take my shower in the morning, my dogs love to jump on the bed and have a morning tussle. Ozzie and Guy, especially, love to roll around and make the most horrendous vocalizations....growling and barking noises.... you'd think they were killing each other....... nope..... just having some fun.Then I get dressed and we usually go for our walk about the back yard.... guess they are just getting revved up for that.

Les Gourmand(s)??

2008-08-28T12:21:00.002-05:00

My dogs LOVE mushrooms and they teach one another from the time they are small as to which are good and which to avoid. I've also noticed that they might refrain from eating one mushroom when it's coming up, but eat it a day or two later and vice versa. Since it's been a rainy season, there is a huge variety for Les Gourmands to choose. Diva is the supreme mushroomer...... that's her above beginning the pillage through the fungus....

Then comes Guy to join her for a nosh......

Add in Sizzle, licking her lips and it's a regular feast for the taste buds!

It's Persimmon Season

2008-08-26T15:25:00.003-05:00

The persimmons are still green, but that doesn't stop my dogs from enjoying a nosh. Here's Diva getting her own.........

Meanwhile, Darla and Sizzle look on....

The Sunbather

2008-08-26T13:55:00.002-05:00

Ridgebacks can lay out on a concrete patio..... which would burn your bare feet... and not seem to feel it at all. Here's Sizzle getting her daily Vit D fix....

Yum! Goldenrod

2008-08-24T16:16:00.004-05:00

Did you say "Goldenrod"? Yes, I did..... My dogs love to eat the stuff with the same gusto as me with a chunk of chocolate. I have considered trying it, but those fuzzy leaves just don't do it for me. Here, Darla and Guy find some mixed in with the hummingbird bush and have themselves a snack.....I guess it's one way they get their veggies!

Actually, I'm surprised there is ANY Goldenrod in the yard as they've been known to reach through the fence with their tongues to try and snag some from the neighbor's border. Too bad that ragweed - that allergy causer - isn't as tasty.

My Poor Put Upon Dogs....

2008-08-22T19:24:00.004-05:00

Poor Diva, she's always suspicious of me watching her anyway, guess she feels she can't be up to her usual sneaky things, should a sneaky thing need to be done. Now that I'm trying to figure out the new camera, I'm lurking around trees, trying to catch the dogs doing something.... as opposed to them standing under the tree with me, if they knew I was there. She has such a pitying look... like she's thinking "Poor Mother, she really needs to get a life"?

.... and then she goes off to another part of the yard, sniffs around, turns around and "Yikes", there she is again with the camera! Fortunately, there's Guy, who loves to be the center of attention and likes to strike up a pose for me. I say "Look up the tree" and he does..... such a good boy.

A Visit with the Family

2008-08-04T16:34:00.002-05:00

Angus and Maddie came to visit Monday afternoon. It all started with a group sniff at something interesting, then we went on a walk about around the yard to try and get a decent photo of Angus.
Here's Uncle Polo checking out the little guy... he's a tall pup for 13 weeks old.
Darla, Angus Mom, looks like she's thinking "Surely he's not looking for something to eat!". Angus is thinking "Hmmm, didn't dinner used to be here?"

The handsome little fella himself.....he finally stopped long enough so I could snap this photo. Trying to take a photo of puppies can give you a new appreciation for wildlife photographers.

My Growing Pride...

2008-07-28T07:22:00.004-05:00

....of Lion head pendants, that is!

I'm still experimenting with the clay and with metallic paints... my photography hasn't gotten any better though... sure do need a new camera. Yesterday afternoon, I got the idea to hang them on the screen in the sun.. problem was by the time I got them hung, the sun got covered up by thunderclouds and it started to storm shortly.

After some internet researching, I finally figured out how to add something to be able to hang them on. Now, I can use them as a jewelry pendant or Christmas ornaments, or wreath ornaments. I went to WalMart yesterday morning and found a package of assorted "findings".. odd name.. but better than "thingamabobs" - like I was calling them.

I also found some liquid Sculpty that is handy for attaching the "bails" ( I sure am learning a lot about jewelry slang!) used to hang the pendants on a necklace or to thread a ribbon or fancy thread through to hang on a tree.

Today, I'm going to try and find someone to model the "dog collar" necklace I have and photograph one of. the lions. They look just super hanging there all by themselves.... I know because I worn one around all yesterday - I was so pleased with my handiwork!

Backyard Banquet

2008-07-23T07:03:00.002-05:00

Our evenings walkabouts start out to the left. When the dogs reach the first corner they have to tussle a bit with one another, jump and cavort and generally get themselves revved up ..... sort of like a runner doing their stretches, except they are much more boisterous. Sizzle is letting Guy know that she's still his Momma and she can still "whip" him - so behave!

Then they all tear off at a hundred miles an hour and veer off to the pear tree and proceed to help themselves to any goodies on the ground or by jumping up and picking themselves one to eat.
Meanwhile, I'm still plodding around the perimeter while they are eating....when I reach the back of the property, they come flying over to check and see if there's a squirrel about as that's a prime area for the fuzzy tailed rodents. That done, they proceed to eat Huckleberries....My own Huckleberry Hound Dogs.
I continue my lap while they enjoy this little berry nosh.... as I reach the area of the muscadine vines, here they come full till as this is another prime squirrel territory. If all's well, they trot over to yet another tasting opportunity...the fig tree and help themselves.
After I took this photo, I thought back to earlier in the day when I filled out a survey for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US about how I felt on dividing the Hound Group into Sight or Scent Hounds and where RRs would best fit. It dawned on me that Ridgebacks should be in their own category - Snack Hounds!

Evening Walk About

2008-07-21T18:59:00.006-05:00

It's been sooooo hot here. About 6:30 PM, it finally cooled down to the lower 80s, enough for a round or two of the backyard. The dogs quickly left me for the pear tree where they were scarfing down the goodies. Only Sizzle and Oz stayed with me on my walk and they discovered a squirrel on the far back leg of the property. Naturally, once they alerted, the pear tree squad came a running.

I left them all staring up into the trees and continued my round. I found the muscadine vine was starting to put out it's fruits....

....and the Humming Bird bush was blooming... I wasn't fast enough to get a Hummer feeding.

And I found this lovely wild climbing fern like plant growing on a old piece of fencing. Mother Nature is such a great decorator! She can even make an old rusty wire look good.

Morning Snooze

2008-07-03T10:34:00.002-05:00

Having returned from our morning walk about, I made some phone calls and came into the family room and discovered my dogs chilling out. They do seem to make good use of all of the couch.