The death of a beloved dog wounds us each in a uniquely terrible way. We fear the day we’ll lose them, we are shattered the moment it happens, but what comes after?
Three years after losing Eko, I finally have the perspective to appreciate all the moments his love still makes possible. There’s no getting over the pain, there’s just getting on with it – knowing the unimaginable hurt is the price we must pay for a love that will guide us for the rest of our lives.
I grew up in a restaurant where scars were the closest thing anyone had to a resume.
The prep cook’s hands looked like knife-sewn stitchwork quilts, and the line cooks all shared the same smooth fingerprints from searing burns. The mark of a novice pizza maker, like myself, was brands across the forearm from inexpert removal of a pie at the back of the 700° oven.
By the end of my less than illustrious tenure, my arms were scored with the bright red lashings. For years afterwards the scars remained distinct and pronounced against my skin. I still shudder when recalling the excruciating sizzle of the oven, but these days only I can see the scars. And only if I look closely. The scars, and their lessons, are now an inextricable part of who I am.
It seems the marks on our hearts are the same.
One good waltz deserves another. No story or yapping in today’s video – just a ton of slow motion footage of the Ridgeback waltz set to Tchaikovsky. Enjoy!
The grass is always greener. Unless you live in a city, and there’s no grass on either side of the fence. In that case, you just need a bit of creativity and motivation to keep your Ridgeback well-run and well-loved!
The question is not how much does a Ridgeback weigh, but how much should they weigh. The answer depends entirely on the individual dog.
Today’s video covers some helpful guidelines for ensuring your Ridgeback stays at their healthiest weight, whatever that number may be.
Fast, agile and powerful, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are the perfect breed to play fetch….with the one minor exception being that most of the breed doesn’t have the faintest idea of why anyone would want to partake in the first place. Taking on a lion is one thing, but matching up against a tennis ball is a far more difficult challenge.
It’s Friday, and you know what that means, baby – a seven minute video about dog grooming! And they have the audacity to say I’m not as cool as I used to be…
In any event, from nails to coat to teeth, I get a lot of questions about Ridgeback grooming, so I put this together to cover it all. If you don’t have a Ridgeback hopefully there are still a few universal tips which are helpful. If not, I’ve no doubt you’ll find my forthcoming treatise on expressing anal glands to be worth your time. Wait, where is everyone going???
I’m often asked to write product reviews but generally pass because most companies find my recommended testing period of “a few years or so” to be a bit much. But every once in awhile I like to offer an unsolicited review of a product I’ve found stands the test of time/Penny, and is worth your consideration. I have no affiliation with these manufacturers, but if you purchase products via affiliate links a portion of the proceeds goes towards Penny and Zero’s college fund.
Nearly a decade ago, when I was considering which dog bed to buy, I thought about the purchase as an expense. A necessary expense, but an expense nonetheless. I quickly bought an inexpensive foam bed and Eko seemed quite happy to sleep on it. Mission accomplished! Or so I thought.
I’m not entirely sure why Emily agreed to marry me, but at this point it’s probably best I not ask too many questions. What I do know is that none of this – this channel, this blog, or this man – would have been possible without her love.
If someone you love wants to get a dog, I hope this video gives you a reason to hear them out!