Finn's Big Day

This past week-end was a big one for our boy, Finn. We participated in the International Dog Shows here in Orlando. 4 shows in 2 days and if you get a V1 rating in at least 3 shows, you achieve your international title.

Our good friend, Elaine Petersen, entered her dog, Joey, and we all headed to the shows Saturday morning. Joey took BOB (Best of Breed) in Show 1 and 2 and he also got a Group 1 placement, meaning he was going to represent the Hound Group for BIS (Best in Show) for show 2. Wow. We were so proud of him. No BIS for Joey, but he sure showed his heart out and made Elaine burst with pride.

Sunday, we only had Show 3 on our agenda. And then it was Finn's turn. he got BOB and then got a Group 1 placement. Wow!!!!

We called Finn's breeder, Ginny, who said "Heck yes I'll be there" and then we waited... and waited for nearly 4 hours for the BIS for Show 3.

How thrilling to hear them call "And representing the Hound Group, Rhodesian Ridgeback #..." and to see YOUR dog strut into the ring. Very thrilling.

No BIS for Finn either, but what a thrill. He looked awesome and he and Matt did a great job.

For now, I present: Int'l CH Kengali's Leap of Faith, JC.

AKC Lure Coursing

Tally-Ho!!!!!

On Saturday, September 12, 2009, and Sunday, the 13th, the Sunshine State Coursing Club held AKC tests and Trials. It rained a little and was very muggy, but this did not curb the enthusiasm of the dogs.

5 Ridgebacks ran for the first leg of their JC titles and all 5 passed with flying colors. Finn was there to continue his coursing career and get some runs in for his SC title.

The picture above is Finn at the line waiting for his first BIF (Best in Field) run. I sure hope there are more of those to come. The purple and gold ribbon to the left is his Best of Breed ribbon he won for being the best Ridgeback on the field that day. Hope I see more of those, too. He sure loves to chase that bunny. He did not win the field on Saturday; afterall, he was racing against the top Whippet in the country. He did come in 2nd in the field.

Sunday was a miserable start. Rain and rain and more rain. The Ridgebacks that made their first leg of the JC the day before all got their 2nd legs and became new JC's and moved in to the open trials. Ginny also brought Strider along. He is a SC (Senior Courser) and loves to chase that bunny, too.

The most excited of the running Ridgies would have to be Esme and Finn (left, Esme is blue). They jump, cry, whine, bark and never take their eye off the bag.

After the first run, Esme was in 1st and Finn in 2nd. It stayed that way right thru the 2nd run, too. Esme was BOB and Finn was 2nd. She got her 3 point major and he got a point.

They even got to run together like they do almost every week when Finn makes a trip to the farm to run and play

The above are pictures of Finn and Esme in the 2nd run. We pulled them from any BIF run. Finn is 18 months and Esme is only 14 months. They have a long field career ahead of them and lots of time to run.

There's a New Kid in Town

And now there are three.

Bindi joins us all the way from Pennsylvania. She comes from Gail James of Regal Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Liz Mansfield Henriquez of Tolerton Spring Valley Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

In the 3 weeks we have had her, she has managed to settle in quite well. She was 4 months old when we got her and we are glad to not have to go thru the entire puppy stage all over again.

Finn and Beau were a little put out at first, but have since become accustomed to her bossiness and her attitude.

Bindi will make her show debut at the end of September and we are anxious to see how she does.

Please welcome Regal Tolerton's Luminara Unduli for Bindura.

Perspective on the Ridgeback National Specialty

We have been back from the Ridgeback Specialty for a week. I think it has taken all of us the week to recover fully. Here is what I observed and learned:

1. Never predict that you are going to "finish" your dog at the Specialty. That is one sure way of making sure you do not make the cut. And for the record... I did not make this prediction but a very well known handler did.

2. Your male dog truly is not as big as you thought he was. There are much bigger dogs out there.

3. Don't bother with the dessert buffet. The hotel food staff severely under-estimated the need for the Ridgeback's community need for sweets. Most of it was gone by the time I got there ... and it wasn't all that good. And the icebreaker? Not really., No one comes over to meet you unless you already know them.

4. The yearly RRCUS meeting? No matter how short they promise it to be, there are those that will insist on dragging it on and on. Skip it.

5. Never under-estimate how much Ridgebackers can drink. And then get up and function the next day.

6. When rooming with Ridgebacks and people, make sure there is at least one bed per person before sharing your room. 2 people in a bed will not work.

7. Sometimes faces do not fit the image in your mind. I think Asta and I learned that about someone.

8. That the Top Twenty made me awe-struck at the sight of some of the dogs. They were totally awesome.

9. Don't try and do too much. You will be disappointed.

10. I can not wait to attend the next one.

The dogs traveled well. The people traveled okay. it is a long drive from Florida to Michigan. Another longer drive to South Dakota in 2011. But to see 300 + dogs of the same breed in one arena is worth the trip. Everyone with a passion for Ridgebacks needs to attend this event just once.

Here is a link for the albums I have started. http://www.pbase.com/deniseeb/ridgeback_specialty_2009

and a video of the BOB pick

On the Road to Michigan

We left Florida on Thursday, May 22, 2009 at 2 am. And as I suspected, I did not sleep in the car at all.

The dogs travelled in style. We had a Toyota Sienna and left the far back bench seat up and they had the entire middle section with their beds. We stopped at 6 am and I fed them their breakfast and they were able to walk around a bit.

They slept until Atlanta and then we got out and spent some time walking them. Was supposed to meet up with a friend of mine, but weather did not permit and we pushed on.

Finally, in Lexington, KY, Finn had enough in the car and demanded to get out. Remembering this trip in 2006, I knew there was a dog park nearby. There was. Right off I-75. Coldstream Park is 12 acres of fenced in paradise and we loved it.

There were a few dogs in the park and Finn was in his glory. The picture to the right says it all.

Happy, tired dogs.

We managed to travel til 8:00 pm and got to Troy, OH and I could not go any further. We had to stop for the night.

Friday we left Troy, OH at 7:30 and hit the Michigan border at about 9:00 a.m. Travelling up 23, it was amazing to see the area and remember living here. I really miss Michigan and the seasons and my family. I also really regret leaving the job at Sommers, Schwartz as I have not been able to find a job that remotely interests me since I left - and I just spent nearly 3 years at the worst job I have ever had. Oh well. That's over and done. Thank God.

Anyhow. I digress. Finally, I-75 and the road to Higgins Lake. How many times have I travelled this route. Coming home now all I could do was look out the window and stare at the scenery I have missed so much.

Getting to the lake after not being here for almost 3 years made me want to cry. The dogs were ecstatic.

For all the photos, please go here: http://www.pbase.com/deniseeb/before_the_show

The Michigan Countdown

In less than 4 days, we will be leaving Orlando and heading to Michigan not only to visit family, but to head to the Ridgeback National Specialty show in Lansing, MI.

In the care we will have Beau, Finn and Esme, along with me and Matt. We are hoping to drive straight thru to Higgins Lake and arrive sometime in the early hours of Friday morning or late Thursday night.

Finn will show in the Sweepstakes on Tuesday and then again Wednesday morning. Esme shows in the Sweeps on Tuesday and then again on Thursday. We have no expectations other than going to have a great time.

This will be a time to connect with internet friends. Beau will get to meet his littermate brother, Dodo and I will finally get to meet Asta. I hope to see Leo and Angie and Zola and Melissa and some of the non-RR people I left behind when I moved 3 years ago.

Coming back to Florida, on the last week-end in May, will be a sweet/bittersweet journey as that was the same week-end we moved to Florida, only 3 years prior.

A lot has changed since then.

Whooo hooo. Finn's Second Win

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, at the Heartland Kennel dog Club, Finn was Winner's Dog and then went on to be Best of Winners. That same day, our houseguest, Esme, was Winner's Bitch and Best of Opposite. Both of them received one point.

In the Best of Breed competition, Finn was handled by his handling instructor, Amanda, and did a great job. We had also just switched to a different show collar and lead and he did much better with the new system.

He may have been best of 2 dogs that day, but he was still the best and he got a point. My feelings were a little hurt when a family member (in-law) laughed at him beating only 1 other dog. A win is a win in my book.

Here are Esme and Finn waiting to pick up their ribbons. They both did outstanding and Matt me and Ginny are very proud of them

The Problem with Fleet Peeples Dog Park

The problem with Fleet Peeples dog park is simple. Ignorance.

There is a fight brewing between the City of Winter Park and dog lovers that have used this park as an outlet for their dog's pent up energy. The City needs money. Yep. The City of Winter Park, one of Central Florida's wealthiest neighborhoods, needs money. And they have turned their eyes on the park that has seen a revival since the dogs have come.

Oldtime residents, and I mean old, remember a time when the park was used by families. People would swim in the lake, picnic and watch fireworks. Those days are gone. Located in a remote, little traveled area of Winter Park, Fleet Peeples soon became the home of drug dealers and other not do friendly individuals.

After years of drug activity, the park was a virtual wasteland. And the City turned it over to the Friends of Fleet Peeple, who managed to turn the park in to a great place to take your dog.

And now the City wants to change it. Friends of Fleet Peeples raised money, on their own, fixed up the restrooms, put in a doggie bath area and occasionally they have poop patrols. And now the City of Winter Park wants it back. They believe they are missing out on pavilion rentals. Missing out on the rental of the park by rowing competitions. Family reunions. All of this due to the popularity of Baldwin Park, right across the lake.

So now the City is trying to enforce the leash laws in the park. Dogs must be on a leash between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm on the week-end. They are also trying to limit the park to the residents.

So sitting at dinner one night, with an old time WP resident got my blood to boil at the ignorance of some people. He insisted that there should be a cost to non-resident. He proposed 3 thousand dollars. And then, he stated if there was a fence and the dog crossed in to the area only meant for the people, shoot the dog.

And that, my friends, is exactly why there is shouting and non-resolution at the City meetings.

I may not have a solution to offer, but I do know that is not it. Ignorance. That is the problem with Fleet Peeples Park.

A Lure Coursing Fool

That would be my dog, Finn.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, 2009, the Sunshine State Coursing Club held AKC tests and trials for Lure Coursing. We decided it was time to release the beast out on the field and let him have some fun.

Fun does not describe it. On Saturday, he completed his first leg of the JC (Junior Courser) test with ease.

We left right after the tests due to company coming to town, but the 4 Ridgebacks that ran their tests passed the first leg. And, a Ridgeback won the BIF (Best in Field) that day. Huge congrats to Ch. Rollings SV Porsche at RidgeHill; better known as Porsche. And boy can she run.

Sunday we got there bright and early. Finn passed his 2nd leg and became a new Courser - Kengali's Leap of Faith, JC. All of the Ridgebacks entered passed their test and were moved up to the trials. What an awesome day for Ridgebacks.

Waiting for the trials is just that. Waiting. You have to wait for all of the other sighthounds - Borzois, Whippets, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Basenjis, Afghan Hounds and Salukis to go. We were placed 2nd to last, so we did not hit the field until after 1 pm - and we had been done at 9:00. Oh well.

Finn ran his first heat with Mo (Jakona's Mozart Concerto, JC) and Porsche. Now please remember that Porsche won BIF the day before - which means she beat every other dog on the field. I think Finn managed to stay in the lead until the straight away and then Porsche turned on the turbo boost and blew these big boys away. Didn't matter. They all had a blast and loved chasing that "bunny" In this picture, Finn is in blue, Mo in pink and Porsche is yellow.

At the end, it put Porsche in 1st, Lilly (Ch. Lilly Mandisa Tucker, JC) was 2nd and then Finn, Shooter (Ch. Ridgehill's Straight Shooter, JC) and Rico (Kennebec's Lionheart, SC) in a tie for 3rd place. Which meant, those 3 would run together.

In the above, Finn is blue, Shooter is yellow and Rico is pink.

I guess they tied again because those 3 had a run off. This time, Finn in blue, Shooter is pink and Rico is yellow

In the end, Ridgebacks ruled the field again. Porsche won the RR Open followed by Lilly, Mo, Finn and Shooter (they only place up to 5th). Porsche also was BIF on Sunday - AGAIN!!!

What a great day.

If you would like to see the photo gallery, please go here:
http://www.pbase.com/deniseeb/lure_coursing_32209.

Finn turns One

Today, Finn turns one year old. I can not believe how fast time flies. It seems just yesterday that we were bringing him home as a 10 week old puppy.

He has definitely added a new element to our lives. When we got Beau, all we wanted was acompanion dog. We got a great one. Then we decided to get a show dog. Enter Kengali Rhodesians and Ginny Merchant and the rest is history.

So today, I celebrate the year birthday of Kengali's Leap of Faith and I am glad every day that he has come in to my life.

A visitor comes to stay: Yikes 3 Ridgebacks

For the next 10 days, we have insanely welcomed a third Ridgeback in to our house. Finn's breeder is taking a trip to Westminster, and showing Finn's half sister, Sachi. During that time, we have entered Finn in some shows in Lakeland. Ginny wanted to enter Esme. So... solution was we would take her from the 4th to the 14th.

Last night was a trying night. I am sure she is used to having many other dogs around, but there are only 2 here. 2 boys wondering what the heck had happened to their house. The crate at bedtime was an issue. She howled. Howled. I am a softy, so I brought her to bed with me. Matt got home at 2 am and there was no way all 5 of us could sleep in the bed. Back to the crate. She cried for 20 minutes, started to settle... and then the damn business phone rang. And the howling started over.

Now. For the 1st year of our pups lives, their crate was in the bedroom. So, at 2 am, we put her crate in the bedroom and she slept like a baby from that point on.

So. We welcome little Esme to the house. She is a delight. She might be a little homesick, but she has been adjusting to us and we have been adjusting to her,

Finn's first Point

Came on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at the Jacksonville Dog Fanciers Club's show in Deland, Florida. Thank you Judge James Fredrickson for recognizing my young pup's potential and awarding him Winner's Dog. Also thanks to his breeder, Ginny Merchant, for handling him to his first point.

I was so proud of Finn I cried when he came out of the ring. Guess that's okay, everyone is telling me the first point is special.

Here is a picture from Sunday. Not the official "win" picture, but it will do for now. He is in the ring for the breed class with his daddy, Matt, handling him