Back from the chase
A good chase then, give them something to worry about did you?
Oh yes, I really had them on the hop! It’s why we Rhodesian Ridgebacks are feared the world over.
Which is why they were flicking their tails at you?
Of course, it’s a reedbuck’s way of surrendering. You know, the white flag and all that.
I think it’s more like flicking the middle finger that we humans do.
Really? Well, they need to think that they are winning.
Why?
So they won’t mind being chased again tomorrow!
Tia and I
So what do you think of Tia?
Well, she’s not a Ridgeback.
Nor are you a Ridgeback technically speaking.
But what is she really?
Probably a Golden Retriever cross. We don’t really know as she was hanging out around my work for a few days.
What does she retrieve?
When hunters go hunting ducks and other birds she would go and get the birds that fall on the water.
But there are aren’t any ducks around here!
Nor are there any lions. But I did find a kitten in the road two days ago.
Very clever but kittens don’t count.
But hey, she’s also blonde!
And doesn’t have many manners.
No, I think she’s had a bit of a hard life but we are working on the manners. She’s a quick learner.
I’m concentrating!
You have a fly on the end of your nose.
Mmmm. I KNOW!
Why don’t you do something about it?
Where’s that rat?
Because there are more important things to concentrate on.
Such as?
The rat up there – somewhere.
Where’s this rat?
In the creeper.
Where HAS that rat gone?
I don’t see one.
You aren’t a Ridgeback! There IS A RAT IN THE CREEPER!
Ok, ok. I’ll leave you to it.
Thank you – I can concentrate better without you commenting.
Well, when you’ve got that one there’s at least another one in the house.
Hush, PLEASE!
The first chase
Oh yes, this is fun!
It took you 8 days.
Well I think she might be worth it even if she is a little slow.
Team players
And even Kharma is enjoying it!
Yes, bless her, she’s staying well within Roxy’s limits.
Peaceful interlude – all friends!
Well I’ve got to give it to her – she’s got a fair bit of stamina for one so small.
And she’s only going to get stronger.
Yes, I think she might fit in to the family.
You are so gracious.
I know!
When are you going to play with Roxy?
In my own time.
But she’s absolutely besotted by you!
Well, she can wait a bit then.
Just make the decision, go on.
In my own time.
Well at least you are letting her touch you I suppose.
Yes, but you don’t understand. It’s a process, not a decision.
Not again! This is becoming an obsession.
Nope. I just have to catch another one.
We. We caught the last one. I spooked the rat, and you and Kharma killed it. In fact I think you played a relatively minor role.
That’s what I mean, I have to catch another one.
You are going to get a stiff neck.
Not a problem. They will be back for more pomegranates – there’s never just one.
Bliss is…
You enjoying this scratch?
Mmm.
Just how good is it?
Mmmm.
Nice?
Mmmmmmm.
Not getting a lot of sense out of you this morning am I?
Mmm.
Not exactly a Big Fierce Ridgeback are we?
Will you just get on with it and stop talking!
Come on, there’s running to be done!
Do you know how lucky you are to get out and about and be able to run?
What do you mean, lucky?
There are other dogs out there who never get to see outside their garden.
No! You can’t be serious!
Afraid so. Last week I was driving around the area by the race course and I saw the silhouette of a dog under a tree. A Ridgeback.
You went to investigate?
Of course I did. She was young, about 6 months old and very sweet.
What! You didn’t bring me a girlfriend?
I did try. She came over to me and licked my face but wouldn’t get in the pickup. She didn’t even have a collar on so I’m pretty sure she’d never been out of her garden. She didn’t like it when I tried to put a lead on her either.
But you took a photo?
No, she wouldn’t keep still. I think she was just so excited to see there’s a whole world outside her garden. Eventually someone came along who knew where she came from and phoned the house and the gardener came to collect her. She didn’t like him very much but went running back down the road when the cook called.
So what else did you do?
I called VAWZ who said they’d pay the house a visit and I did offer to foster her if they decided she was too much energy to handle.
Oh yes, I’d like to run with someone who has more energy than Kharma.
Thanks Zak, I do pretty well for someone of my age!
That’s so sad. We ridgebacks need to run!
And explore and be socialized.
Did you find out her name?
Yes, it’s Rosie.
No idea how it go there – honestly!
What is that ham sandwich doing there?
Waiting to be eaten?
Yes, but how did it get there?
I have no idea. I just woke up and it was there. Anyway, it’s a ham and cheese sandwich.
You stole it from next door.
Well, sort of. I prefer to think of it as providing it with some company. It did look rather lonely and in need of attention.
I am actually rather impressed you didn’t eat it straight away.
I was waiting for permission…
Hmm. Well, you may as well go ahead as I don’t think the original owner will want it now.
Catching the sun
Hey there good looking boy!
Me? I am good looking?
Oh yes you most certainly are.
Wow, thanks. Actually it’s not that important to me.
Hmm. You are almost purring with delight at my compliment.
Purring? What’s that?
It’s what cats do when they are contented.
A cat? Where? You said CAT! I’ll chase it.
NOOOO! It’s just, just a figure of speech.
Oh. For a moment there I thought there really was one.
Well, as the subject of chasing has come up maybe we should discuss the subject of cow chasing.
You were really cross weren’t you?
Yes silly boy I most certainly was. You could get into a lot of trouble for doing that. Luckily the cows were not concerned. The manager might not be so uninterested.
I can’t help it. It’s just something I have to do.
Like barking. You have to do that too.
Yes! It’s fun too!
Not for me it’s not. It’s very tiring.
That’s because you aren’t a dog.
You don’t say. Jenni and Tina and Kim didn’t gratuitously bark.
Gratuitously. Big word that. What does it mean?
Doing something just for the sake of doing it.
So am I sitting in the sun gratuitously?
No, I don’t think so. You like the warmth now that it’s getting cooler.
I think I get it. Well, maybe not. It’s not serious. But I am good looking aren’t I?
I am Zak 