Midlands and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club

The First Rhodesian Ridgeback Club to Gain Championship Status in the UK

Rainbow Bridge

A Page in Memory of Members' Loved Companions Who Have Gone to Rainbow Bridge

Photographs, together with your pet's details and anything you would like to say about him/her, should be emailed to the club secretary Mrs Jackie McCarthy-Booth at jackie.booth@blueyonder.co.uk

Abbey 18/07/1999 - 18/02/2012 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By Julie, Anne, David and Rosie Bates

Hennie February 2012 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By The Hampton Family - Shropshire Hennie and his sister Nyoni, were inseparable from the day they were born. We managed to find them through kind assistance from Brian and Sheila Firth and Ron and Maureen Winterbottom. From the moment we got them home, we quickly discovered what a loving and fun bundle they were! They soon got used to the addition of our two daughters within two and a half years of having them and the 70 or so pedigree milking goats that followed, as my cheesemaking business grew! An enduring image I have is of Hennie, his sister Nyoni and our two daughters playing in their paddling pool on the lawn. The children would waddle on the grass in the July heat, safely under the willow tree while the dogs stood by, watching and protecting them. Even though I was always present, it was as though both dogs knew that their role was to safeguard our children and to keep them from harm. We used to take Hennie and Nyoni for daily walks in our fields and down the lane. They knew the rhythm of the seasons as well as any farmer. In winter we would build snowmen and go sledging down the hill, the dogs gambolling in the deep snow. In spring, they would be excited by the promise of warmer, longer days and more goats milk to drink. Summer was by far, their favourite season and both Hennie and Nyoni would love nothing more than to sun themselves up against a wall, snapping flies in their jaws and to enjoy lying at our feet as we sat and watched the sun go down of a balmy summer's evening. In late summer, one of our favourite games was bale jumping; whether the bales were large or small, the dogs would clamber up and play 'King of the Castle' barking at each other and wagging their tails in playful provocation. On fine days the children would ride their bikes or scooters (sometimes we adults joined in too!) at speed around the tarmac periphery of our house. Hennie, especially, would enjoy bounding alongside them barking with excitement and the thrill of the chase. Whatever our mood and activity, the dogs joined in and reflected it. No matter what season, the dogs always wanted to be with us. Hennie, from the very beginning, was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He was calm, intensely loyal, loving and devoted. He was everything you could possibly wish for in a dog. It was a shock when Hennie suddenly became ill and his mobility failed. It was sad to see him, albeit for a couple of days, as a shadow of his former self. Luckily he did not suffer long. Nyoni is still with us and is proving to be remarkably stoic, yet loving. We will always remember Hennie. He was the most noble of dogs.

Jarza 02/11/2000 - 04/03/2011 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By Lisa Mills

Tarda 30/10/1999 - 28/11/2010 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By Mark Cannon and Diane Wickstead Tarda was our first Ridgeback and we honestly think we will probably never have another like him, he had a level of intelligence that was quite remarkable and a memory that was so amazing that any person or place he visited only once he would remember even several years later. He was a true friend and left a large void in our lives when he was sadly put to sleep after suddenly becoming ill but luckily before he had chance to suffer.

Jake 07/11/1998 - 15/03/2010 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By Lisa Mills

Rosko 21/04/1999 - 11/08/2009 Owned, Loved and Sorely Missed By Jean and Derek Smith Sadly we lost our lovely boy in August 2009 after a short but devastating illness. Until we meet again, our handsome boy, Rosko. Chatting with Rosko - 11th August 2009 Ah Rosko, Rosko, where did they go Those years so fleeting and short “I don’t know Dad but please don’t cry I’m here within your thoughts” Is that you my boy, have you come To help me through this night But not too loud, the house is sleeping Do you know it’s past midnight “I do indeed 'tis with hushed tones Your companion I will be Until weary and tired sleep does come But still you’ll be with me” I will my boy, I’ll not leave your side And neither you’ll leave mine We’ll talk together, reminisce At that we’ll both be fine “I’d like that Dad as long as you Will stroke me ‘round my ears And brush my neck with gentle touch Just as you’ve done for years” A pleasure my boy, come sit with me And nestle by my side ‘twill be a long night for both of us For me no easy ride “I know the pain you suffer now Both you and my loving Mum I know you love me and I love you both I’m really not that dumb!” “I see sleep has come, you both need rest When called I’ll always come Things will be as they ever were Rosko, your loving son” Author Derek Smith