The Anal One

Beau. Crestridge Ujamaa Beauregard. My first Rhodesian Ridgeback. He is 18 months old right now.

He was the runt of the litter of 12 - but I will admit,he had the nicest coat and the sweetest face and a nice long ridge. Who can resist a sweet puppy face like this one?


When we picked him, we wanted a pet and not a show dog. Boy did we get a great pet. At 18 months, I have yet to see any act of aggression, hear a growl or see him snap at anything. His temperament is outstanding. He is great with kids - especially little ones that carry yummy treats in their hands and have sticky sweet mouths.



Both my husband and I vowed that we would NEVER have a dog sleeping in the same bed as us. That lasted 9 months. He now sleeps right between us and he really has the most room on the bed. On cold nights - rare here in Florida - he snuggles close. AND, if I get up to move to another bed - because he is usually hogging MY side of the bed - Beau is sure to follow.



He has never been a big eater. I have tried many formulas of food and he is enthusiastic for about 2 weeks and then he turns up his nose. Every one says "He won't starve... take the food up after 10 minutes..." My poor boy can not afford to lose even one pound of weight. Tall he is, but fat he is not. The Ridgeback standard for a male is 25-27 inches (Beau is 26) and 85 pounds on average. Beau is just 70 pounds. So you see. I can't let him miss a meal. He has gotten better with Finn's arrival. Competition is a wonderful motivator.



Ridgebacks are known as thinking dogs that evaluate the situation and then decide what they want to do - and it's usually in their benefit. They are also known to be sensitive and have loooong memories. I can attest to all of that. We once had a possum in the back yard. Beau saw it, chased it, cornered it and the possum hissed at Beau. He came back to the house and refused to go in the back yard for almost 2 weeks. I had to take him out in the front yard where he would do his business at.



And rain? Forget about him going out in the back if there is one rain drop on the steps. Oh no. That requires me getting wet, too.



About 2 weeks ago, we are not sure, but he got bit by something on his foot. Red ants? A spider? Just not sure. His toe was red and a little swollen and there were bites in between white nails toe and his other toe. We have successfully treated it at home, but now, he hates going off the patio and he needs to be forced in to the yard to go potty. Slowly, we have gotten him to come out in to the yard to play with Finn and to spend time with us out there... but it never lasts for long. Even now, we have to make him go out in the back yard after he eats in the morning. He has been known to poop in the house while I am drying my hair right in the next room.

But. We love him unconditionally. No matter his quirks and his issues, he is like our child to us. Sometimes I get so frustrated with him, but then I look at that sweet face and I melt.

He is my gentle soul and I would not have it any other way.