“Hi, hope you are both doing well,” came the voice on the other end of the phone. It was our dog breeder who supplied all of our Rhodesian Ridgebacks for the past 17 years.  

“We have a new litter and thought you might be interested.”

Interested? You bet and then “ALONG CAME GRANT” – the best little ball of fun we had been waiting for! The crate was ready, and once he arrived, he settled into it, sort of. He became well trained, sort of…and the crate worked well, sort of! We had to continue to buy larger crates since our six-pound Grant grew quickly with each passing week, that the largest just wasn’t going to work. His head was hitting the top of the crate, and he wanted us to know it! Out he came! No stopping this boy!

Grant, who has now turned into our 125-pound Ridgeback, is referred to as the “gentle giant” of the neighborhood. He’s very kind and friendly. Grant loves the Bark Parks in the Nonahood and goes twice a day to meet up with his friends and romp. He never gets excited or runs after the tennis balls everyone brings to the park. He romps but lets the retrievers handle that job. So kind!

Grant is in love with LadyBug, a King Charles Spaniel in our neighborhood. He pulls to go to her house on every outdoor walk. Grant, like all Ridgebacks, loves treats. He will howl, sing, whine and cry if he notices them. Ridgebacks were originally from Africa and hunt lions and bore, so Grant alerts us to the bores that are nearby at the preserve as his nose goes into the air and he gets into “charge” mode. That’s when we know it’s time to walk a different path. We are always recognized by other dog owners by Grant, and they say hello to Grant first! Grant just turned 3 years old, and some of his friends received “doggie bags” with hats and treats. Among his BFF’s are Mac and Mila.

Grant is our fifth-generation Ridgeback. He is descended from Champion Recce of Karhiba Ridge, who showed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in New York three times.  However, Grant advised NO beauty contests for him! He would rather eat snacks and romp at the Bark Park in the Nonahood!

Happy Birthday, Grant – you are very special to our household!