Canine Chronicles

Jenni in an affectionate mood

Jenni is my Rhodesian Ridgeback and raison d’être. Anyone who is a dog lover will understand just how important a dog can be. Jenni makes as much fuss (and believe me it’s a lot) of me if I have been away for half and hour or a week. She’s also beautiful, even to non-doggy sorts; strange people that they are! She sleeps on my bed and any other furniture that may be comfortable. I try and take her with me as much as possible – she has me well trained.

Tina in a "you ARE taking me too" pose

Tina was Jenni’s sister by an earlier litter. She was the dog that I’d always been waiting for but did not know it. She had no ridge (it just ran the other way), her ears were too big and her tail too long but I loved her and she was protective of me. A Jenni on full throttle, life was for living and she was naughty without a shred of malice. After only a year I took it all away from her in a moment’s carelessness that will always haunt me.

Cassie (Lab) and Kim (Rhodesian Ridgeback) at about 4 years

Cassie was my first dog, a typical super affectionate Lab who gave me 14 glorious years along with Kim, my first Ridgeback. I have no regrets there. Superb companions and true friends they pulled me through the rough times and they were always there for me. I promised Cassie that I would immortalize her so call the software that I write “Softdog Software” – she was that gentle.