My beloved Shacko was a true Rhodesian Ridgeback. He was all heart. Even the vet could tell how large his heart was on the x-rays!
He was given medicine for his enlarged heart and the medicine did wonders for him! He started to jump and play like a youngster again! But alas, the extra oxygen that now was pumping around in his body, gave him just more problems; the back-foot he broke 5 years ago now gave him problems. ' So did his emphysema. No pills could reduce the liquid in his lungs enough for him to breathe properly while playing.
The angle of his croup had changed considerable the last year, and with the small leaks from his rear end while sleeping, made me check his spinal-cord at the vets. And sure enough, he had arthritis. While on his medication and being kept still, he was feeling just great! But when would the pain become dangerous for my Granddaughter and other children that loved to cuddle with this gentle dog? And would his back-end collapse one day during a walk in the woods?
No way that was ever going to happen. He has now passed over to Rainbow Bridge, awaiting our call the day we pass over.
Shacko, my Shacko.
Some info from Shacko's life:
There was one major problem from the age of 5 months: Shacko was allergic to all sorts of stuff ! This resulted in blisters on his paws and several ear-infections. After spending loads of money on special food, daily shots of medicin, ointments and who knows what, they got the problem under control.
The number 5 does not go well with Shacko. At the age of 5, Bente Nygård from The Ridged Viking, spotted a Dermoid Sinus right behind Shacko’s tail-set! This is most likely a Type 5 DS, according to Niccolette Salmon Hillbertz.
The show-ring was another endurance he had to go thrugh with his novice owner. Doing his best to calm her down, his show-carrier was over after the Norwegian RR-special in 2000 with judge Peter Nickolson. Standing in front of the judges table with Stig “Nalle” Carlson viewing from outside the ring, Shacko’s head began to drop. As Hilde placed her hand under his jaw to lift him up, he put all his weight in her hand, closed his eyes and WENT TO SLEEP!!! His hole body was swaying ready to fall down! Embarrassed? – yes! After that day Hilde was like a sponge soaking up information about handling dogs in the show-ring! Once again, Shacko was the teacher.
P.Nickolson wrote: “Very laid back, happy competitor” on Shacko’s critiques and those words could describe Shacko any day. If anything, he did not waste energy! If yoy gave him a warm bed, a soft couch or a nice spot in the sun and he was content. If he also had some human contact, you’d made his day !
Shacko taught me the importance of healthy dogs. We can not gamble on health in breeding. No way.
Thank you, Shacko, thank you.