Miss BeRidgierent

thank you so so so very much, its perfect!

ohh Wazzat Xolo that was beautiful poem, thank you.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. here is some pics of beautiful Bella.

hey guys Would like a new sig made up. For my Bella girl - I would like it to say something "you will never be forgotten" or youll always be in my heart" or something nice like that. And the dates 30/9/07 ~ 31/8/09 And I would like my boy Boss to be in it aswell. Bella- If you could cut my ex out of this one it would be a nice picture. Boss- Some together- thanks heaps.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and wishes. I still can't believe it. . . . not a second goes past that I don't think of her. Its so hard at times when you remember she would come running up to you with that happy face of hers and start licking you, specially at dinner time, but last night it was just Boss. He walked over to see if she had left any left overs and realised she wasn't there. Or while I'm making dinner who am I going to trip over for gettting in my way a thousand times coz she just wants to get some food.

sunday afternoon I got a phone call, Bella was having convulsions, panting and hardly breathing. My ex tried to drive her to the vets but she was rolling around in his car he had to stop. He tried to put her back in his car comfortably but she was stiff as a board and pooing everywhere. She latched onto his face and ripped to chunks out of his face. He couldnt move her as she was to dangerous to touch she rolled out of the car and had wedged herseld between the gutter and under his lowered car. I then arrived and my ex then had to go to hospital he got 9 stitches in his face and has a massive black eye. We had to call a animal ambulance from the gold coast to come and take her to a vet. I waited an hour or so for the ambulance with her there watching her gasping to breath. She tried to get up and walk over to me it was so heartbreaking seeing her like this, it just wasn't her. We got to the vet and it wasn't good from the start. By 12:00 that night I got home and waited till 8:00 Monday morning. We went in to see how she was but it wasnt good. We don't know what caused this its either something she has eating (poisons) or something in her brain. They also said it may have eaten her stomach lining. And because she was seizuring for so long she ran a high temperature of 45 and she got heat stroke. And this also caused other problems within some vital organs. She cooked herself. The vets said we could do everything we can to help but there is no guarantee she would come out of this and if she did she would either be blind or have brain problems or suffer some other problems due to the heat stress. So after thousands already spent and hours awake crying and worrying we decided it was better for her if we just let her go. I want her back so badly she was to young and just wanted to make everyone happy. She will be dearly missed.

Yesterday 9:00am my family had to make the hardest decision of our lives. My gorgeous girl Bella was pts. I can't really let everyone know what happened yet as I am far to emotional to write everything. It was horrific and I do not wish it upon anyone. But I love you Bella, you are such a good girl and you will be missed dearly. You were 1 month shy of your 2 year birthday and you will never be forgotten. Boss misses you already and wont stop crying, he is at work with daddy today to keep him company. Love you baby girl.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) First time owner of 2 Ridgebacks. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? The foundation stock of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed by the first white settlers in South Africa to fill their specific needs for a serviceable hunting dog in the wild. 3. How common is it in Australia? i find they are not so common but are becoming more popular specially in cross breeding. 4. What is the average lifespan? 10-12 years but are known to live up to 16 years 5. What is the general temperament/personality? The main characteristic of a ridgeback that stands out for me is their loyalty and how alert they are to their surroundings. They rarely bark and when they do you know something is happening. Their an all round fun-loving, can be very independent and stubborn at times, intelligent and goofy at the same time, active but they can be quite mellow too. They thrive to be with their loved ones, they would much rather sit with the family and watch tv then be outside. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? I would say at least 30 mins a day and on weekends an 1 hour a day if you don't want a naughty ridgy. But ours would sometimes only get a run 3 times a week and once on the weekend in winter as they would much rather be inside in the warmth (and so would I haha) 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? I am a first time owner of dogs and I got 2, a brother and sister at the same time. I had 2 8 week old ridgebacks running around and I can say I never had a real problem with them. Maybe because they had each other to keep themselves occupied. they are harder then some breeds but I think first time dog owners could cope with them IF it suits their lifestyle. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? I think it depends on the personality of the dog. Can't really answer this one. 9. How much grooming is required? Once a week and a bath maybe once every 3 weeks, they aren't a smelly dog at all. But when they malt they need a brush at least 3 times a week I find but I hate the hair left everywhere and it just reduces the loss of hair. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Same as what other people have said. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Dermoid sinus, hip/elbow problems. Are the main ones. Dermoid Sinus: A dermoid sinus is a cyst-like structure that lies below the skin along the back and is sometimes connected to the spine. A dermoid sinus develops when two defective genes are present together. It can only be removed by surgery some breeders do choose to put the dog to sleep. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Definitely a registered breeder who hip & elbow scores their dogs/bitches. I also agree with Lab_Rat on getting the breeder to match you to a suitable pup. I have a quiet, introvert ridgy and a energetic, "doesn't care" type attitude ridgy. And there is a BIG difference in both their personalities and can see how this would affect both dog and family if they don't match.

I dont know if I am allowed to post or not but I was brought up with ACD and some family members still own them. But from my experiences with them they are VERY protective of their family and will not hesitate to bite someone or stand up for themselves or loved ones. They are very dominant towards other dogs even if they have been brought up with the other dogs since it was a pup. But that is MY experiences with the breed.

Noo its great!! Thank you so much I love it!!!

Ooo this is the best thread I have seen in ages!!! Boss at 8 weeks old. Boss now Bella at 6-8 weeks Bella now Boss and Bella play fighting with me, they are clearly winning

Ooo I would love a new sig, if possible. Not sure how this works but I will wait for however long. I don't know which pics so here is a few Boss Bella And one of them together.

Aww I feel so bad If I can tell she is about to snap I do get angry at her I might just have to not go to dog parks with her or get some professional help.

Hey Tony Yes i have a pedigree. She got exactly the same as Boss, we took them to parks several times, a lot of friends have dogs and she was fine with them. Well I freak out because I dont want her biting another dog so I am always watching her, if a dog comes up to her and I can tell she is getting uncomfortable I comfort her but let the other dog sniff her which then the other dog would walk away. Every now and then, she will want to go play with the other dogs (like run up to them etc) but then she all of a sudden gets scared and runs back to us.

Yeah I agree with her too, but its not like I put her in this situation everyday its only been about 3 times.

she is about 15 months old

well if you do not feel like making it yourself I suggest you buy from these guys, I buy from them here in brisbane and my dogs LOVE it and it has everything in them that they need. http://www.caninecountrybarf.com.au/index.html AND its cheap, about $3.25 for a 1kg. And they usually do deals like if you buy 10 its only $30 ETA: AND there are different types, like if you dog has a sensitive stomach etc. they have one especially for them.

Where about are you LMH

Hey All Bella has some social problems towards other dogs, if a dog comes over when she is at home she is fine loves to play. But when we are at a dog park she gets shy and scared. I will stand there with her and she will only ever run off about 15 meters away from me and then she runs back with her tail between her legs as if she is scared. If a dog sniffs her she lets out a bark and snap. I dont know what it is and I dont think it was lack of socialisation when she was a pup because we had Boss the exact same time as her and he is fine, running off doing his own thing and never snaps at anything (even when dogs hump him lol) and they went everywhere together when pups. What can I do? Is it a self-esteem problem? Boss is definitely more dominant but they both get the same amount of attention. Could it be a pack problem, like she doesn't know where she is in the pack and thats affecting her?

ok thanks :rolleyes:

Hey All To become a champion in agility or obedience does the dog have to be on the main register? Thanks

Yeah I am going to apply next year so I don't have to pay 2 fees seen how its coming to the end of the year.

Did you read the 2 disclaimers? You can't miss them Just because their not listed, does not mean they are not taken. Nor a name that will be approved. I have read your disclaimers Sway. I was just saying if there not there out of 12,000 thats a pretty good chance I can get them, thats all.

ohh I am so happy, 2 names that I'd like to be my prefix are not taken :cool:

Beautiful! All tho I didn't watch it all because I was going to cry!