My Dogs

	Ch Umkimzulu Indian Summer A.I. Summer is a half sister to Chilpep through her dam Gr Ch Bearstar Chilean Willow ROM. Much like Chilpep Summer was an unintended addition to Starridge. Chilli had been leased by Sarah Baker (Umkimzulu) who requested the use of semen from Isak (Sw/Fn Ch Djungelkattens Imbue Ridged Isak) that I had imported. The stud fee unexpectedly turned out to be Summer. Nicknamed 'Dim Sum' as a youngster Summer was an airhead full of life and fun but with the attention span of a gnat LOL. Thankfully her nickname has changed over time and so has her attention span. More commonly called SumSum now she has developed into a regal sometimes aloof but still funloving girl (in other words she firmly believes she is a princess and should be treated as such unless she is in the mood for a wild romp). She is a night owl who likes nothing better than to go for a dip in the pool at midnight and then come back to bed to get dry by rubbing herself against me. She steals shoes, soap, knives or whatever else comes to hand so that you will reward their return with a 'bickie'. Summer has produced nine champions including amongst them a Grand Champion, Canadian, American and Malaysian champions. Summer is very choosy about her friends but once admitted into her select circle she shows her love gently but very thoroughly.
	Ch Starridge Sumtons Mtarni Mtarni was yet again a girl I didn't intend to keep being third pick of the litter and was originally sold to a family whose RR decided that he didn't want her around. Tarni came back to me for rehoming just in time for second vaccinations at 12 weeks. Her sister Kela (Am Ch Starridge Kela O Pupukea HIC) was waiting to head off to Hawaii and although both had had their second vaccinations nevertheless Kela came down with Parvo subsequently infecting Tarni. On being injected with a drug used successfully on Kela to bolster her immune system Tarni went into anaphylactic shock and died in my arms. Heroic efforts by the vet got her heart restarted but after all that and surviving parvo I decided that she didn't deserve to be shuffled off to another new home - and I am very happy to have made that decision! This delightful girl with her 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' expression is a multi class in group and class in show winner. Her first (and last) litter were the most beautiful bunch of babies and Mtarni, as expected, was a loving playful Mum. Unfortunately the litter was struck down with neospora caninum. Thankfully, and against veterinary expectation, all the pups survived and are leading normal lives. However, I can't risk breeding Tarns again as she may still be carrying the parasite. Mtarni continues to be shown sporadically although she prefers to be at home cadging food and enjoying the company of her son Arbee.
	Ch Starridge Sumton Special Zarina is Mtarni's litter sister and shares a home with the Owen family and mate Oscar. While fully intending to show her to her title and having already kicked off with her first Best of Breed from the Puppy Class under breed specialist Toni Comerford (Ridgesetter) also taking her class in group, Zarina would much rather be a stay-at-home. While taking some big challenges is it always a 'will she or won't she' day at the ring with Weenie. When she is determined not to move in the ring she drives me crazy but then she is only occasionally shown so I am just as determined to keep waiting for those diamond days when Weenie turns it on and grabs everyone's attention. In attitude Zarina is so much like her Mum Summer that it is almost scary! At shows she fiercely protects her pen from strange dogs but happily shares a pen sleeping with Oscar or her son Amigo. At times she has to be dragged from the pen at home or she would spend all day sleeping in it! When she decides it is time for a romp though you wouldn't believe it was the same girl and she delights in playing with her babies teaching them the rights and wrongs of being a loving sweet Ridgie.
	Starridge SVGGRB AI Arbee is a gorgeous hunk of a boy who lives up to the standard requirement for 'straight, strong and well boned' forelegs but unfortunately due to the affects of neospora he hocks in monstrously in the rear compensating for muscle and ligament damage. Doesn't stop him racing around like a lunatic with Mum Mtarni though and since according to most of the textbooks he should either be paralysed or not with us at all, I'm happy to forgive the not so attractive rear :-). Arbee is primarily my 'houseboy' but he has done some showing for socialisation purposes. He loves going anywhere with me in the car and is so sweetly natured that he is a pleasure to have on the end of lead. Despite his obvious drawback Arbee has nevertheless managed to pick up a Minor in Group and a very creditable Res CC against some of Qld's best RRs. His glorious head, bone and especially temperament will hopefully be passed on as the neospora damage may keep him from winning in the ring as an adult but not from stud work in the future and he has already sired two very promising litters (from natural matings). He is currently educating Kea on how to be wicked!
	Pupukea Ridge Kealohi Kea is out of Mtarni's sister Kela (Am Ch Starridge Kela O Pupukea HIC) and the spectacular Ikaika (MBIS/MBISS, Current points record holder for US RRs, Nr 1 RR in the US 2007 & 2008, Am Ch Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly). She arrived in Australia in November 2008 thanks to all the efforts of Tom and Barbara Peach (Pupukea Ridge) and vast amounts of worrying on my side of the pond! Kea is absolutely a delight - fun loving, affectionate, sweet - she fitted into the family like she had been born here. I am very much looking forward to her ring debut in Januray 2009 and even more so to enjoying her company for many many years to come.
	RUBIS/BISS/RUBISS Gr Ch Bearstar Ko CD FC ROM Ko was a miracle who entered my life to be a pet that did a bit of obedience. Whatever my thoughts on the matter might have been at the time Ko was destined to be so much more! Attaining multi Best in Show (Specialty), Runner Up Best in Show (All Breeds with entry >1000), RUBISS & RUBIS (Hound Club), multi class In-Show (Specialty and All Breeds), multi Best in Group, multi Runner Up Best In Group, multi class In-Group and mega multi Best of Breed winner as well as obedience titled (Companion Dog), Field Champion (QLCA) and Register of Merit (RRCI) awarded. He was Australia's first Grand Champion and is Australia's most successful sire with 28 champions to his credit and still more to come - four of these are themselves Grand Champions - BIS Gr Ch Elangeni Elvis, BIS/BISS Gr Ch Bearstar Doulen Ko ET, BIS/RUBISS Gr Ch Riginal Lightnin Jack ET and Gr Ch Starridge Cawzfor Aplawz. His nobility and dignity combined with his devotion and capacity to love is irreplaceable. His name itself tells many of his stories! Ko = 'revolution' (I Ching); 'elder brother' (Chinese); 'knockout' (jargon); and 'is there' (Swahili). Missing you so much Mister Ko - love you always and forever.
	BIS/RUBIS Gr Ch Bearstar Chilean Willow ROM Chilli is the foundation of Starridge. She is Australia's only multiple Best in Show (All Breeds) winning bitch and has topped that off with a Grand Champion and earning a Register of Merit. She came to me purely on chance when her (and Ko's) breeder Sioux Ryan wanted to mate them but wasn't in a position to do so. Although never interested in breeding this was an opportunity to good to pass up and so Chill Will came to live with me for a year and is the mother of my first homebred champion. Although I was reluctant to do so I honoured my agreement with Sioux and returned Chill to her where she went on to produce another two litters with Ko under the Bearstar prefix. She produced spectacular puppies with 10 champion progeny. Her son Gr Ch Bearstar Doulen Ko ET achieved multiple BEST IN SHOW awards at both Specialty and All Breeds and his sister multi BISS and multi puppy BIS SV-97 NV-98 FINV-98, -99 Sw/Nor/Fin/Int/Nord Ch Bearstar Diamond Willow (Demi) has twice been Sweden's #1 bitch following that up with being Sweden's #1 RR. Chilli was a wonderful showgirl and mother but more importantly was a sweetheart who loved easily and well. She passed on her fabulous temperament and quality to her progeny - sadly and ever missed.
	Ch Starridge Litl Sunshine ROM Chilpep was the result of the mating of Mr Ko and Chilli and gained her title at 16 months of age having been awarded multiple class In-Groups and In-Show along the way.�Fate certainly stepped in and took a hand here as I had actually chosen another girl from the litter to keep. Chilpep was ranked 3rd in the litter due to a shorter ridge than the other two girls in front of her in the rankings. At the time I was overruled by my mother and of course it is now impossible to even imagine Chilpep not having been around! Chilpep was always a snuggly cuddler who much preferred being home with her babies to running around a showring. Somewhat spoiled she gained the nickname 'fat little toad' - an affectionate name that stuck even when she actually lost some weight :-) She was the only one of my dogs who had no interest in lure coursing but was a great bird hunter snatching them out of the sky if they dared swoop too low. She would even climb trees to 'sneak up' on her feathered adversaries. From her first litter Chilpep proved her worth as a brood bitch with three of the pups titled and highlights of Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, Field Champion, Top RR in Australia 2000 (OzDog/Pal) and Top Hound in Qld. Two more litters saw Chilpep producing another four champions (and adding RUBIS progeny to the credits). My delightful, quirky, loving Chilpep left me a month short of her 14th birthday. I will always celebrate having had her as the centre and soul of Starridge for so long. Never forgotten - always loved, om shanti my Chilpep Pup.
	Ch Starridge Cawt Ya Lookin Cassie is Summer's daughter and certainly took after her in the wild romp department although considerably less so as far as regal goes. Her idea of greeting a friend was to literally throw herself at them to get their attention and many visitors left with bruises from her exuberant welcomes! A mad keen hunter who thankfully rarely managed to catch anything Cass loved to run and her hunting call was unique somewhere between baying and a cat being strangled! She, like many of her progeny, was a 'talker' who would tell you all about her day and anything else of importance at great length. Such a pity I couldn't speak 'Cass'! CassCass made her debut into the showring with a Baby Puppy in-Group award and won in-Group awards in most age groups but had a hard time of it being attacked on three separate occasions around the ring while still a youngster and losing her confidence. Thankfully with the help of many friends she did regain a calm dignified show presence although never the exuberant enjoyment of those very early show days. Cass was a wonderful mum who nurtured her babies and passed on her lovely quirky nature. She was never a girl to put herself forward or make demands - sweet, loving, special. I am still devastated with her loss.
	Ch Bearstar Silver Willow ET Jemma was a younger sister to Chilpep and joined the Starridge mob at just on 12 months of age as a result of a marriage break-up. Although a multi in-Group and in-Show winner Jemma was primarily a mad keen lure courser (Best In Field winner) who belied her sweet, gentle nature when chasing that dastardly white plastic bag. Jemma was so affectionate with her family, whether two- or four- legged that Shane and Kerrie Lambley (Kenjala) asked to lease her from me and the rest as they say is 'history'. After seven glorious years with them she slipped away in her sleep with Shane, the love of her life, beside her and surrounded by the family she adored. JemJems will always be remembered for her incredible enthusiasm at lure coursing her complete lack of enthusiasm at showing and her amazing capacity to give love whether in the form of the overall tongue baths or her joyous 'conversations'.
	Ch Riginal Rindurr Downunda Oz is a half sister to Chilpep through her sire Mister Ko. Again fate stepped in here as Oz was never intended to be a Starridge girl. She was 'purchased' by a Canadian who wanted her to be titled and to have passed her hips before moving to her new home. As Dale at Riginal was already keeping a girl from the litter this was somewhat problematic so Oz moved in with me. The 'purchase' fell through even though Oz easily met all requirements. Oz titled easily taking multi class in-group wins and showed great promise as a spectacular courser. She was certainly speedy when it came to chasing her 'family' around as although at the time she was the youngest and the shortest, she was the fastest of the lot! Unfortunately Oz was always a dominant girl who continually challenged Chilpep for leadership of the pack. Oz was mated to her nephew Ch Starridge Rohans Pride resulting in a lovely litter with pups from the litter having been awarded Baby in Show (All Breeds) and Baby in Show (Specialty). The large and difficult litter took its toll though and with the challenges to Chilpep becoming increasingly worse I made the difficult decision to rehome her. Oz has moved into her new home in Tasmania and although sorely missed here at Starridge (by me at least), she is thoroughly enjoying being the sole centre of attraction and treated like the 'Princess' we all know she is.
	Ch Bearstar Chilean Copper Copper was yet another unintended addition to the Starridge family. A younger brother to both Chilpep and Jemma bred by Sioux Ryan who was by that time finding it difficult to show due to marital and health problems. There had been enquiries about purchasing Copper from England and Japan and Sioux asked that I become a partner and commence his showing campaign while she determined his eventual placement. Prior to joining the Starridge family in 1997 Copper suffered a white-tail spider bite that was to have devastating consequences on his health.� Copper had started his career in fine form with a Baby Puppy in Show under Sue Campbell (Nyassa RRs) at the 1997 Victorian Specialty.�He continued his winning ways here in Queensland not only in the ring where he achieved Best in Group, R/Up Best in Group, multiple class In Group and Junior In Show wins but also with family and friends to whom he was a teddy bear who loved to be hugged and cuddled - a real sweetie who to my eternal sorrow died in October 1998.� I miss my sweet boy each and every day and pray that his spirit will shine everlasting through every Starridge puppy.
	Outspanner Bufalo Gal CD Sharka was my first pedigree dog. At the time I desired those papers as it was not possible in Qld to obedience title an unregistered dog. Her breeder had intended to have her put down down due to faulty ridge, kinked tail and poorly sized and shaped ears and sold her to me only on the understanding that I would not tell anyone where she had been purchased. Funnily enough that breeder changed her tune when Sharka was awarded the singular honour of being Australia's only Ridgeback to ever win a National (All Breeds) obedience trial taking out the Novice Bitch award in 1992. She taught me so very very much about obedience work and especially about working with a fearful dog as she was attacked by a bull terrier at obedience training and never fully recovered from the incident. Although previous to the attack she had loved going down the park to play with other dogs she became timid almost to the point of fear aggression. With a lot of work Sharka did manage nevertheless to gain her CD title and with her love of retrieving we started and gained legs towards her CDX but those legs were only gained when there were no other dogs working off-leash in the next ring and it became so stressful for her that I pulled her out of trialling. One very Sharka memory is of a night at obedience when I was training the Beginner's class. I had Ko with me on the paddock as 'demo dog' and had left Sharka in the car - with many questions from the attendees it was a late night and when I got back to the car she had chewed through 6 seatbelts leaving only the driver's belt intact - certainly got her point across :-) Love you baby.
	Zuki While still at school I had met a Ridgeback - a pet who had come to Australia with his family when they migrated from South Africa. I couldn't wait to finally be out working and with the first paycheck came my very first Ridgeback. Zuki was purchased from a newspaper ad in 1979. She was a wonderful introduction to the breed and made a special place for herself in the heart of everyone who met her. As a teacher at the time on the Darling Downs I lived in a farmhouse and Zuki had acre upon acre as her playground - she used to take off at night and travel the 20km or so to visit my boyfriend of the time but would always be safely home sleeping at my side when I awoke. She used to herd in our next door neighbour's cattle for milking and he considered the best working dog he'd ever seen. When I moved back to Brisbane I had to curtail her wandering spirit as she started to bring back 'treasures' - other people's shoes and mats. When I moved to Cairns she and her mate the Springer Spaniel Jackson loved to swim together - well actually Jackson did most of the swimming while Zuki barked at him to get out of that dangerous stuff! Definitely not a water lover was my Zuke. She was the one though who ran to protect me from a black snake and who woke the house with her barking when thieves robbed the back shed. So many happy memories with my girl - I know she will be waiting patiently for me at the Rainbow Bridge and I so look forward to seeing her again and getting a very special sloppy Zuki tongue bath.

The Starridge Family