RRUS Adoptions

Weekend in Memphis

2009-07-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Jafari, Queen, Zevin (Riley), Roadie, Logan, and Tamu had a busy weekend in Memphis.

It was quite warm outside and we couldn't get anyone to play. They preferred to rest on the bed instead.
The weekend was an eventful one- another Ridgeback was adopted and RRUS added another member to the family. I hope they will share their story soon.

Any ideas on the next place for a RRUS reunion?
Amanda

RR Meeting

2009-07-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

OK the details have been hammered out. Here's the info for the RR Meeting in Memphis.

Next Saturday, July 11th
City of Southaven MultiPurpose Arena
7360 Highway 51 North
Southaven, MS

Ridgebacks show in Ring #2 at 12:50.

Hope to see some of you there! If you can't make it, pictures will be taken and shared.
Amanda

Food Hound

2009-07-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last week we had some work done on our home. As usual, Roadie was the family's greeter. He quickly introduced himself and checked the man out with the infamous RR SNIFF- you all know the one I am talking about ;)

The man got to work and Roadie disappeared. At first I thought he'd gone back to bed. Nope not there. Maybe he was curled up on the couch? Wrong Again. I then went out into the back yard to see if he was sunning himself. Finally I found him. BUT he was not sunning himself.

There he was sitting in the work van- EATING the man's lunch. At first, I busted out laughing then wondered how I was going to tell this man that my dog ate his meal. I simply explained that he had just had his first lesson in Ridgebacks- and the learning curve is a steep one.

Thank goodness- this man was a dog lover but obviously did NOT know about Ridgebacks and their uncanny ability to find food.

After Roadie had his mid-morning snack, he snuggled into the couch cushions for a nap.

Gotta Love our Food Hounds!
Amanda

Nala & Niblett

2009-06-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hello- We decided to get Niblett a buddy and we rescued Nala. It's like they have known each other for years. Nala is such an affectionate dog and she loves my husband. For those that don't know, Niblett is afraid of my husband who is harmless. Niblett has been making great strides with Paul since Nala arrived though. Nala is silly though, she takes the kids stuffed animals and takes the eyes out, then we discovered she is taking the kids plastic animals/action heroes toys and biting the hands off! So we are in the process of making sure the kids keep the toys off the floor. We have 2 wonderful dogs and can't thank RRUS enough.

Cross-country move

2009-06-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

I moved Hannah and Cheever from Chicago to Walnut Creek, CA, this week. Three days of 12-hour drives (but only ten today) and we all made it. They had a really cramped area since part of the back seat had a box and pillows, too.

The dogs were great. Hannah slept the whole way and Cheever alternated between sleeping, sitting up to watch the scenery (he really, truly watches it and tracks unique features), and sneezing on the side of my brother's head.

So I learned one thing the hard way today. Don't give dogs pork rinds and beef sticks as treats. Literally, they each had four (small) pork rinds and one (small) beef stick, but combined with the changes in pressure in the Sierras, that made for some awful moments.

The dogs did well in the Motel 6s where we stopped (North Platte, NE, and Elko, NV.) I didn't know how they would like new beds and places, but aside from a few barks the first night when people walked by, nothing.

But here's the new problem: One of my roommates here has a pug. My dogs (which are more than four times Turbo's size) are scared of him. Hannah keeps hiding behind me and if Turbo is between my dogs and me, they just lie down (and bark at him if he gets too close.) He's not being aggressive, though; Turbo's just following my dogs around trying to be friends. (Hannah and Cheever are pretty elitist and don't choose to be friends with many dogs or people.)

My next big fear is that the last bedroom in this house is about to be rented to a guy with a young (six) daughter. I haven't met him or his kid and though m dogs are good with kids, they've only been exposed to kids who grew up with dogs. If the girl did not grow up with a dog and plays rough, I don't want her getting nipped.

So I'll continue keeping you updated on how we all adapt.

Summer Playdate

2009-06-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

The next scheduled RRUS Reunion playdate is in Memphis, TN on July 11th. More information to follow as the details are hammered out.

Amanda

WARNING - 4TH OF JULY

2009-06-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Bad, bad experience today. Went to dog class and trainer said this would be a good time to find out which dogs needed special care for the 4th of July firecrackers and such. I was sitting in a chair with TJ, perfectly calm as TJ shows no concern for thunder and lightening. Well the first one went off and he was curious, the second one went off and he pulled me off the chair. I sat back down and was really ready and the third batch went off and he pulled me and dragged me along the ground. I could not let go as he would still be running and we were not that far from streets. So please don't be over-confident if you have a rescue who you have not seen in a fire cracker situation. I'm in bed with brusied ribs and who knows what else.

TJ also showed fear aggression to largers dogs and male dominant behavior. I was shocked, as was the trainer. It was just too many dogs in sort of an uncontrolled setting.

NEVER AGAIN! We will continue to socialize him on our block where there are plenty of dogs but he will not see a dog park unless things obviously improve.

He is doing well with his private lessons but today highlighted only too well areas of concern.

Jackie

Cheever's DNA Results

2009-05-27T23:02:00.001-07:00

As some of you may remember, during my unemployment, I had Cheever's DNA tested (a birthday gift.) I got his results back last week.

To remind you of what he looks like, here are pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/david754/

Cheever is all black except for a white belly with two black spots and three feet with white toes.

And his DNA results.... I'm NOT the father! YAY! Wait, that's not what the test was for.

I was totally unprepared for this. I thought for SURE... I was 100% CERTAIN he would come back a lurcher (sighthound mixed with non-sighthound.) I figured he was half greyhound.

Cheever is almost purebred DALMATIAN. An almost-all-black Dalmatian that's also almost 30 pounds and about six inches bigger than the outside of the breed standard. Based on his results, he's bout 87.5% Dalmatian and 12.5% Collie (great-grandparent.)

Also, I'm moving in here in San Francisco. I leased a room in a house yesterday and will be moving Hannah and Cheever out from Chicago the second week in June. Just the three of us in my Civic for three days. Sounds.... great?

The dogs will be sharing the house with a Pug, so that's going to be interesting. Hannah and Cheever will be fine, but if the Pug has an issue with other dogs, that could make things interesting.

David

Exciting News

2009-05-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

I had to share the most wonderful news- ROADIE IS A THERAPY DOG. I received his acceptance letter in the mail today. This has been my dream for him since we adopted him back in 2007. He has such a HUGE heart that it would be shameful not to share him with others.

Thanks to RRUS for saving him- and especially to Jody, his fabulous foster mom, who chose us as his forever home.

Stay tuned for what we do next- his also has his AKC PAL# so we can participate in AKC events.
Amanda and Roadie, CGC, TDI

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-24T20:28:00.001-07:00

Today we headed to the beach dog park- this time to meet Amali and Zari. They traveled all the way from the Midwest for a playdate in sunny FL. I think they "take the cake" for longest distance traveled for a RR playdate.

We had a total of 7 Ridgebacks in the park today. Harley, Logan, Roadie, Zari, Amali, Hudson, and Murphy all enjoyed their fun in the sun.

Amali was adopted from RRUS when she was just a pup. From what her family says even at 2 years old- she still is! They sometimes they call her- Marley after Marley and Me. If there is trouble to get into- Amali will find it.

Here's Amali- check out her eyeliner!

This is a group shot- or the best we could do. Imagine trying to get 5 Ridgebacks sit for a photo!

Happy Memorial Day- thanks to all who serve our country.
Amanda

2009-05-24T15:35:00.001-07:00

Annual Shots

2009-05-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

I got some great news this morning. The state legislature finally passed a 3 yr rabies bill. It's on the way to the governor for his signature.

Just checking to see how many other states/areas already have this kind of law on the books?
Have a great weekend- Amanda

Hannah and Cheever's Next Adventure

2009-05-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

I was laid off about six weeks ago and yesterday was offered a new job. It requires moving from Chicago to San Francisco, but that's not such a loss. I have to leave this weekend, but the dogs aren't coming out till June.

So here are my questions.

1- I expect to drive my dogs to SF, but flying could be an option. The drive is three days. Any input into the pros and cons of driving with dogs for three days versus a six-hour flight?

2- Are there any RRUS adopters in the SF Bay area? I'll be living in Walnut Creek. If so, where are the good dogs parks? Are there any dog-friendly beaches on the ocean within a few hours' drive?

Happy Birthday

2009-05-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to 2 former RRUS foster dogs. Roadie and Champ were both born in May- we celebrated their birthday today. These 2 boys are the best of friends and great representatives for Ridgebacks and rescue as well.

Happy Birthday Boys!
Roadie

Champ

2009-05-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

I just adopted Tess last Friday and am loving every minute of being her new Mom-just in time for Mother's Day! Her new name is Roux, the base of cooking in Louisiana, and I think she already knows her new name. She is so smart. I hope we will be able to make the next playdate. Roux tells me that she misses her friend Queen, they had a great time playing together.
This is my first time at a blog, so be patient, as I am not sure about a lot of things associated with a blog. :)

Happy Spring

2009-05-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Cheyenne and Chloe wanted to check in and say hello to everyone.

They are enjoying this spring very much. They just met one of our three new neighbors.

I'm not sure what they thought of him, Playmate or snack? Or both.

A fence is a good thing.

Gracie & Angus

2009-04-27T11:25:00.001-07:00

Gracie on her couch with her big brother Angus enjoying a sunny Easter morning.

Gracie pulled the tag off of her Easter egg. That's ok, the Easter Bunny brought one for each of her other three brothers. She can always give that sad look to any of them and they will give her their toy.

Gracie's Easter Egg

2009-04-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

Happy Spring Everyone. Gracie wanted to eat this Easter Egg, a nerf like toy, but I wouldn't let her. She likes to injest all kinds of toys and things made of material like her mom's socks. Thank you for saving Gracie and for letting us share her life. We are truly blessed. She has been a light in our lives.

A Total of Ten

2009-04-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Wow- the playdate was a HUGE success. We had a total of 10 Ridgebacks- representing 4 different states. The amazing thing was how wonderfully they all just got along. Not a snarl or growl between them- just another way we can learn from our dogs!

I hope you enjoy the photos of Roadie, Logan, Harley, Rock, Brodie, Murphy, Hudson, Coleman, Champ, and Sadie. A total of 6 of the RRs were rescues- of those, 3 were former RRUS dogs!
Amanda

Common Bond

2009-04-18T04:41:00.000-07:00

Here are three families who would have little chance of ever meeting without the common bond of RRUS.

We met in a New Orleans restaurant for dinner. Good food and great company! Can you guess what we talked about? RIDGIES!

Thank you RRUS for saving the dogs that we all adopted and also for choosing our families as their forever homes.

We hope to get together again someday- sooner rather than later.
Amanda

Come on Down!

2009-04-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

I realize many of you live too far away to join us this weekend but I thought I'd let everyone know about a fun filled day at the dog park.

A group of Ridgebacks and their owners are meeting in Pensacola, FL on Saturday, April 18th at the Bayview dog park for a play date. We are all trying to get there around 2 PM and will stay until the dogs are tired! The weather is supposed to be nearly perfect- highs in the low 70s and low humidity (that's relative of course- anything under 90% is good around here!).

If you can't make it, we'll miss you. Of course everyone will have a camera. So don't worry- you can enjoy the fun through the photos.

Amanda

Loving Up Clifford at Easter!

2009-04-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

Easter morning - Clifford getting loving from Analise and "Uncle Joe!"

RR Security Guard - DUKE!

2009-04-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

I love guarding my yard! Do I look trustworthy?
Duke, the Guard Dog!

New Pics

2009-04-09T16:12:00.001-07:00

I was laid off last week, so I have tons of time to take and upload dog photos now! These are all from today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/David754

Shady

2009-04-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

Well its been almost 3 and 1/2 months since we adopted Shady from RRUS and there hasn't been a dull day in there. Shady really likes to keep things lively, especially when he feels that everyone has settled down a little too much. His favorite way to liven us up is to grab a squeaky toy and run circles around the couch while he squeaks. If that doesn't work he likes take crunch on a 2 liter soda bottle and flip it around in the air.
Shady has also become somewhat of a connoisseur of sticks. If you try to hand him a stick he will graciously take it and drop it the minute you turn your head. However if he finds a stick that he feels is worthy he will carry it for 20 minutes on walks and runs. And if it should happen to fall out of his mouth we can't continue until he has it back in his mouth.
Shady really loves going on walks and jogs but his absolute favorite thing is playing with other dogs, and nothing wipes him out better. We are trying to teach him to be polite when he wants to go meet another canine companion and he is learning slowly but surely. He has a joy for life that can't be matched and is happy to be around us whatever we are doing, though he would rather have us be doing something active and outdoors.
We are so happy that Shady could become a part of our family and we are even talking about getting another RR companion for all of us, we think he would even happier than he is now if that were to happen.
Here are a couple of pictures of Shady playing with his new Lab/Pitbull mix neighbor Carmela.