If you just want a Laugh....back scratchin dog..click here

What we can find on YTube

Lola the IG wins 3 out of 4 days in FL

A quick congrats to my BFF Ellen in FL and Lola the IG going WB 3 of the 4 days..She is a NuVet Iggy and is as shinny as a red fox in the sunlight...Lola is a red IG!! And in excellent condition, on NuVet and winning.. Pic to follow asap. K

A looker!!

Kushinda Bronze Star Legend Keep's Burnin'

Burner a Rhodesian Ridgeback

This is Burner at 7 mts...He is one of the 2010 show pups. Love that black face..K

February Events

February is most noted for two events, Westminster and Valentine’s Day and I will add the height of the flu season. (2009 looks to be worse than 2008.)
Talk of the big show is that entries were down. Could that be the $75.00 entry fee or the recession, some may query the judges? peta chose to protest again, like give me a break, the lady with the deerhound showed up to protest them. Word is that some with show dogs were able to draw attention away from the group. Seems most were more interested in seeing the bulldog than the white sheets.
I have seen several polls this week wanting to know what you think about the Airedale that judge Peter Green had to excuse from the ring. My vote said, should not have entered the dog as they were aware of the conflict and Peter did the right thing. And what can we say for the 10 yr old winner..Go Stump Go…

This week brings us the first confirmed case of salmonella in man’s best friend, the dog. The Peanut company says, ”if you can’t fight it. Bankrupt it” I put a link to the FDA so you can go look up your dogs’ food product. I stuff my dog’s kongs with PB. Cheese anyone?
Ellen called from the Florida show circuit. She took points Thur. and Friday. Lola the Italian Greyhound now has 11 pts. She is soon to be a Champion. Ahh, are we to Special this lovely young bitch? I hope so.
In did my spiel on the DM earlier today, OFA still has not updated results, they have been at 337 for a month now. We will have three new RR to show up with NN clear results. This is a good thing. I can’t imagine anyone breeding untested Ridgebacks. But hey, guess what!
If you have not been to Esters blog, she has some great pictures up today.
Today, I did nails. There are two matches coming up this month, so Jericho, and Chee are ready. Two more to do tomorrow and possibly a trip to PetSmrt with the pups for social time. Life is good for these guys.

Letterman has Martha on tonight, he is going to tell us how she lived in the sewer for 5 yrs. Only Dave..
Update to come on the matches.
Happy Valentines Day, save me some chocolate.
Come back, really now. K

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

First let me say that it is a disease that "can be" eliminated from our Breed - the Rhodesian Ridgeback. OFA is now doing the DNA test for $65.00 that will tell you the status of your Dog. ......Breeders should only be breeding tested clear stock. NN

This is Degenerative myelopathy; DM (progressive rear limb weakness or paralysis) was first described as a specific neurologic disease in 1973. The age at onset is five to fourteen years average age 8 or 9. It has been reported in almost all large breeds of dogs.

The classic presentation is a painless, slowly progressive rear limb weakness or paralysis. There may be discomfort due to arthritis in the hip or lower lumbar (lower back) area, but this usually improves with activity. Over days, weeks, or months the dog becomes progressively weaker as is evidenced by shuffling of the rear limbs and lack of coordination. Finally, full paralysis coupled with fecal and urinary incontinence develops.

This diseas can now "be eliminated" from our Breed. IF you are going to breed: TEST your Breeding stock and do not breed affected dogs. The test has been available since Aug of 2008. If you are going to Buy; Do Not buy a puppy that does not have TESTED Parents with clear results. A record of the dogs results can be found on the OFA DNA web site. There is a link to the right.
Have you had an experience with DM? You may post a comment below if you would like to discuss or get more information on what to do. K

"Stump" the BIS Winner

Here is a great story about "Stump" the Sussex Spaniel that won BIS at the Gardens Tuesday. I thought you might enjoy learning a bit more about his story. Katherine Snyder, his veterinarian's story.
Enjoy, I did. K

A Rhodesian Ridgeback breed by Westminister Kennel Club

Falcon a Ridbeback

This is Falcon, he is Presents Brother. He was 7mts old in this picture...Looks like his dam. in MD

Westminster Hound Group Streaming Video - Monday

See all the Ridgebacks that were entered be judged.

Ridgeback Gardens Breed Winner. see pic

Congrats to Westminister Best of Breed Ridgeback Winner Ch.ADILI'S AMERICAN IDOL...."Spirit"...

Pea Pods of Punnett-link

How cute are these little yellow and green pea pods?
In light of the fact that in Sept of 2008 the DNA test for the Degenerative Myelopathy gene has become available to the Ridgeback Dog Breeders, it is now important that we learn how to interperate the results.
 Here is a punnett square you can use. The NN ( The NN is the symbol that is on your OFA report and used in Ridgeback terms) or Normal for DM (not having) can be used at the top and side where the small green y's are located.. The yellow Y has the disease.  As you will see  the resulting prodegy 2 will be NN or Normal and 2 will be carriers. Try combining different combinations.
If you are a breeder and own a Ridgeback that is a carrier, then that dog must be bred to a dog that is tested and has an OFA # that is NN. This is how we eliminate the disease from our breed.

Westminister Kennel Club

Three days to the show Feb 9-10 2009.

This is "Presents" a Rhodesian Ridgeback

I named him Presents because he has a Christmas Tree on his belly. So when you see him he will be asking if you have a present for him!
His link will take you to his sire's page. He looks a lot like his dad but again has many of his dam's features also. Ohio

Manatee's in the warm waters in FL

Congregating by the water outlet in West Palm Beach is a herd of Florida Manatees, a highly intelligent species of aquatic mammals, also known as Sea Cows. Above is the link to the story. Here is what is so neat...Click on the Google Earth link in the story and you have a actual view of the Manatees. K

F5

Hit that refresh button frequently as I am on the move updating the site. Thanks for looking, and I hope you are finding many links of interest. Welcome! K

Best Puppy Win and a Group 2 for Trixie at the Cactoctin Match 09

Never been to a dog show match? This is what it looks like. Everyone is enjoying the day with their dogs. And what a great day it was with finally some warmer weather...In the low 50's yesterday. If you have never attented a match with your dog this will give you some idea of the fun it can be and what a social event for your dog. We showed several dogs, and we were set up in the back of this picture. The club did a great job sponsoring this match. The Best in Match was awarded to a Bermese Mt. Dog.

Mason Dixon KC Match Feb 28th 09 Sat

Loction is Sharpsburg MD. Click link for the March flyer. Time, date, judges,location, entry form. K

Old Dominion K Club Match - Feb 22 09

Click on link above to go directly to match flyer. Location is Herndon VA.
Great place to go to socialize puppies or young dogs.