Go West Inkosi!

Signing out soon

2010-09-23T18:14:00.004-05:00

Jeanie has moved to South Africa. I don't know if I will ever see her again.

It has been eleven months since Inkosi died in a tragic collar/play accident.

Lisa Erickson, Susan Ralston, Cindy McFadden, The Heathcocks and I'm sure others at the

RRCUS National Specialty all contributed to honoring Inkosi during the Top Twenty event.

When I get some feedback on that it will be posted and then this blog will finish by the end of next month.

Thanks, Kim Conrow - blog owner and publisher

Forever Young - Inkosi Inkulu:2006-2009

2009-10-26T16:52:00.013-05:00

12/28/2007 Puppy Inkosi in Jeanie's Shadow
Loving on Jeanie. Lunch at Auntie Kim's.
Sleeping on the table. Inkosi would often do this. He never snatch or begged - just rested his head and slept.

Abbey and Inkosi. Abbey pass away 9/21/09 she was nearly eleven. Now with Inkosi gone Jeanie has an all too quiet home.
California, Long Beach, at the Eukanuba shows in December 2008.
Endurance Trial - Michigan National Specialty May 2009

Top Twenty Gala - National Specialty - Michigan 2009
Obedience - National Specialty, Michigan 2009
Practicing at a San Antiono show
In the Group Ring

Completing his JC

Learning to jump at Auntie Kim's - Iskandar

Inkosi was always good with children.
His favorite spot on the home couch.
Reserve Best in Show at the International Puppy Show
Sit/Stay practice with his friend Coco at Iskandar.

Head shots by professional photographer Chris Smith. In Fort Worth.

Relaxing with his girlfriends Coco & Roxie.
More sit/stay with Coco. She and Inkosi qualified for the first leg on their CD at the Michigan National Specialty. Inkosi went on to complete his CD recently.

On a walk with Jeanie.
At the beach in Long Beach with Auntie Kim.

Forever Young

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inkosi Inkulu 6/7/06 - 10/24/09

His name means "the great master" in Xhosa.

AKC HP22498603

Conformation Championships: AKC, UKC, International Puppy

Performance: Rally Novice, Companion Dog, Endurance Trial, Junior Courser

Behavior: Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog International

Multiple AKC breed winner and group placer

Multiple UKC Best in Show Winner

TVRRCOT Regional Specialty Multiple Award of Merit Winner

Award of Excellence at the Invitational Eukanuba Show 2008

Top Twenty 2008 Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States of America

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inkosi, owned by Jeanie Rance Marr, died Saturday in a tragic accident.

Jeanie had left him to play with a sweet female ridgeback for a few hours and when she returned she found

him strangled to death. The collar that had always been taken off when he played with other dogs was forgotten and left on.

The female dog's mouth was still entangled in his collar. She was traumatized but otherwise okay. A neighbor answered Jeanie's screams and

cut the collar off.

Jeanie asked the neighbors to call me and I came from across town as fast as possible. We, Shirley, Jeanie and I, found an all night clinic to take him to and filled out the paperwork for a private cremation. It was all too sad and so horrible.

Jeanie is a weeping zombie right now. She blames herself. I stayed with her Saturday night at her home and then brought her here to Iskandar Sunday night. She will probably be here another day or so.

Inkosi was everything to Jeanie. She took him with her so many places; the bank, the doctor's office where she works one day a week, everywhere.

He lived in his short life more than most dogs live in a life of full measure. He was loved and known by many. Jeanie believes his greatest achievement was when he jumped into the pool to save a child. Incredibly, Jeanie had Inkosi collected two weeks ago for the first, and now, only time.

Jeanie's home is now all too quiet. Just last month she lost Abbey, her old girl. Inkosi and Jeanie grieved for Abbey. One reason Jeanie search for close by playmates.

Inkosi was the best dog I ever traveled with. He was clean and easy and fun. He got along with every dog he ever met. Jeanie and I started a blog for Inkosi, from his perspective, last year when we went to Eukanuba. We added to it with photos from the National Specialty in May.

Donations to a ridgeback rescue of your choice in Inkosi's name would be a lovely gesture and one that Jeanie would appreciate.

Jeanie wants to thank all the people who loved and supported Inkosi and her in their sporting events. Thanks to all the friends, vendors, handlers, and judges who made Jeanie's and Inkosi's life together fun and beautiful. Thanks to his breeder and all the breeders who who made his life possible.

Thanks to all the kind and thoughtful people who have reached out to her in the last few days.

Most regrettably,

Kim Conrow

Iskandar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim and Inkosi December 2008 in Long Beach, CA.

Synchronicity - Golden Slumbers - Farewell Inkosi

November fifth, 2009, I experienced a synchronicity which gave me pause and caused wonder at the unknown and unknowable which surrounds us always.

I had picked up Inkosi’s remains from my vet. The carbon that was him at death was now in the form of ashes in a cedar box with an engraved gold label reading, “INKOSI”. That box was on end in a brown paper bag with handles. Attached to one handle was a small white oval label with scalloped edges tied on with white tooling. It read, “Inkosi Marr”. I sat in my car embracing the bag and box and wept. My tears fell on the box end. I took my finger and moved the tears around on the pretty wood and whispered, “I love you.”

There was a job to do. I had to pull myself together. Jeanie had met me that morning and given me the book of Inkosi’s show photos, certificates, snap shots and a lamb shepherd’s pie to share together later that evening. It was a Thursday, the day I would often meet Jeanie at the highway, picking up Inkosi for the day. When we got to Iskandar he would first go around the side yard smelling and marking while I arranged my dogs. Ranger, my only male, was not male friendly but “the girls” loved Inkosi. He loved my old bitch Carly so much. She is six years his senior while Roxie and Coco are his peers. He would lick Carly all over and dance around her for thirty or more minutes. She would allow his advances and try play games but once her body was covered in slobber from head to tail she would give up and retreat to the settee outside or the couch inside. Inkosi would obsess on Carly if I didn’t get him playing with the young girls. Oh how they ran and romped and hunted! After the play it would be nap time and all would rest until Jeanie came. I would sleep on the recliner with Inkosi by my legs. The girls would rest on the couch. When Jeanie got here we would often practice obedience or jumps with Inkosi and Coco and then relax with a G&T by the pool. Those were the days.

Today was different. Instead of romping and napping with dogs I had funeral duties to attend. I had to pick up beloved Inkosi’s remains and then go to Kinkos and scan sixty two pages of certificates and photos representing the the life and times of him and the hopes and dreams of Jeanie. Digital scans were needed. Jeanie wanted to submit a memorial ad in the next breed magazine and the heavy album would be too much to carry on her upcoming trip to Africa. She was headed there in ten days. A zip drive of her album would suffice to show her family Inkosi’s and her accomplishments and the beauty of the dog that had been her life for the last three years.

“Pull yourself together girl!” I told myself in the parking lot of my vets. “You have a job to do.” A couple of quick slaps to my face and I was off to the copy store. On came the radio. “Golden Slumbers” from The Beetles’ Abbey Road Album began. It played from the top of the song through “Carry That Weight” and “The End”. It ended when I reached my destination.

Really? How could that be? I cried again the whole way.

Once there was a way, to get back homeward,

Once there was a way, to get back home

Sleep pretty darling do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby

Golden slumbers fill your eyes, smiles awake you when you rise

Sleep pretty darling do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby

Once there was a way, to get back homeward,

Once there was a way, to get back home

Sleep pretty darling do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby

Boy you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight for a long time

I never give you my pillow, I only send you my invitations

And in the middle of the celebrations, I break down

Boy you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight for a long time

Oh yeah, all right, are you gonna be in my dreams tonight?

Love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, love you,

Love you, love you, love you

And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love, you make, Ah

------ The Beatles

What are the odds? “Golden Slumbers” filled my heart.

The Abbey Road album? Jeanie’s eleven year old girl Abbey had gone to her rest just weeks before. “Golden Slumbers-Carry That Weight-The End” was the song trio I had wept to over and again last fall when my Ezra was dying of bone cancer at eleven years of age. My son, Adam, had just gotten the album and he played it a lot. I put the lyrics into Ezra’s eulogy sent to the rr-picture list last year. A dear, kind person, Deb, on the list had used it in a web site she created for him. Deb, inspired, used the lyrics in another site she created, “Passages”, which gives homage to Ridgebacks who have passed.

Synchronicity usually happens when the limbic system is in a heightened state like extreme happiness or sadness. A person experiences an event that connects other events in a significant and meaningful way. The “connection event”, the synchronicity, is highly unlikely to happen. To some it demonstrates the interconnectedness of the universe.

For me, that day, after copying his book and reviewing his photos and accomplishments, I felt I had received a message from Inkosi. That message was, “I know you love me. I love you too. I am alright and am with those other dogs whom you also love.”

Auntie Kim

Coco and Roxie - Inkosi's girlfriends.

2009-06-10T19:34:00.001-05:00

Best of Breed Competition!

2009-06-08T21:40:00.003-05:00

We didn't win but we had fun trying. Thank you Beth for your great handling.

Top Twenty - Gala night!

2009-06-08T21:34:00.003-05:00

Around The Scene with the Girls

2009-06-08T10:52:00.003-05:00

Auntie Kim and Roxie & Coco go for an afternoon bike ride.

What a pretty necklace! Is that a pink bone filled with little bags?
Sideways ribbon lamp!

Yellow are the three CGC ribbons for Carly, Coco & Roxie.

Green are Coco's first leg on her Obedience CD and a Qualifying Score in Rally Novice B.

Pink is Carly's for her win in the Regional Specialty Veterans class.

Roxie & Coco stay in their crates when left alone in the room. Good Girls!
Roxie --- looking for the P-e-r-f-e-c-t S-p-o-t!

Girls have to hunt! Boy dogs don't worry too much about where they go!

Tuesday & Wednesday: Rally /Dog Classes

2009-06-05T09:29:00.003-05:00

Here I am with my Auntie Kim - I love my KIM!
Mummy & I got our ribbon for the Endurance Trial on Tuesday night.
Linda Clark handled Wilson in the Veteran Dog Classes.

Wilson is Coco's and Roxie's sire. Go Chuckwagon Team!

Hey! I know Linda from Eukanuba! She is nice!
The Iskandar Girls resting at the Sheraton after a hard day.

Auntie Kim had to rest a lot too during the Specialty.

Talk about endurance or lack of!

Coco did Rally Obedience on Wednesday and got a qualifying score - another pretty ribbon!

Tuesday, May 26 - Obedience - All Qualify!

2009-06-04T13:13:00.002-05:00

Here I am with my Mummy getting ready to do the figure eight. I sit sooo smartly!
All done with the first round of heeling, recall etc. I'm waiting for my sit/stay and down/stay

with Auntie Paula and Mum Jeanie.
I'm a good dog! Down/STAY!
Look! Coco and I got the first leg on our Companion Dog title together!
Auntie Sharon is waiting with Zina to get their offical photo done by "Winning Image" photographers. They do good stuff!

Tuesday, May 26 - More Obedience!

2009-06-04T12:58:00.004-05:00

Obedience - Down/STAY gives Coco the "glowing alien eyes"!
OH MY! The eyes started in the Sit/STAY!
Me and my friends - Aunties; Kim, Sharon, and Paula. Coco's eyes look okay here.

This was before obedience competition. Wish the teams luck!

Auntie Sharon and Friend Zina.

Zina just completed her Companion Dog Title!

YEAH! For the WAYAMBA Team!

Judge Ed Hass and Auntie Sharon talk about obedience stuff.

Monday 5/25 My Girlfriend Wins! Carly at Raisin River

2009-06-03T11:46:00.007-05:00

Carly - DC Iskandar's Carly Aziza of JubaLee, MC, CGC, TDI

breeder/owner/handler: Auntie Kim Conrow

WINS Best Veteran Bitch at the Raisin River Regional Specialty! YEAH!

I adore Carly! We get to visit regularly at Iskandar.
She is soooooo pretty! At nine years old she is my "cougar".
There were a lot of beautiful veteran bitches in this Regular Veterans Bitch Class.

Auntie Kim feels honored to have Carly be chosen the Best that evening.

Carly sports her pretty pink ribbon.

Sunday, May 24 - Getting Ready for Endurance - Theme Song

2009-05-31T22:36:00.005-05:00

Auntie Kim thinks this is a good Theme Song for the Endurance Trial Teams:

You've Got a Friend In Me Lyrics
by Randy Newman

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
If you got troubles
I got them too
There isn't anything
I wouldn't do for you
We stick together, we can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them
Will ever love you
The way I do
It's me and you, boy

And as the years go by,
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
Yea You've got a friend in me.

Map of the trail.
Can I drive a car on the trail?
A rainy start for the day.

Auntie Kim's Girls, Coco & Roxie, are her photo assistants.

Sunday, May 24 - Start of Endurance

2009-05-31T22:25:00.004-05:00

Here we are - ready to start the Endurance Trial!

I will run for twelve miles and mummy will bike along with me.

READY --- SET ---
GO DOG & Mum GO!
The runners getting ready to GO!
Coming in after the first four miles for the mandatory short rest and vitals check.

(heart rate, temperature, foot pads)

Sunday, May 24 - Middle of Endurance

2009-05-31T22:15:00.003-05:00

Time for a drink of water!
Checking the vitals - heart rate, temperature, and foot pads.
WOW! They ALL ran the Whole way! You Go Girl and Dogs!
Look up to see the beautiful tree tops.
What a pleasant run. Through the Woods ...

Sunday, May 24 - End of Endurance

2009-05-31T22:02:00.006-05:00

Mum and I go down the road.
Go this way!
The Whole group of "Endurance Participants"!
YEAH !! We have our certificate - Mum and I feel GREAT!

You've Got a Friend In Me Lyrics
by Randy Newman

Friday NIght - May 22

2009-05-31T21:39:00.006-05:00

The ISKANDAR GIRLS; Carly, Roxie and Coco, are relaxing at the Inn in Lansing!
Auntie Cindy and her girl, Bijou, relax after a long drive.

Crossing the M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i! Over the River ... on the road trip!

Getting Ready -- Banking!

2009-05-23T21:03:00.001-05:00

At the Drive trhrough to get money. This isn't working!
Mum - try the ATM - do you have your PIN correct?
Ahhhhh! The teller will get us more money!

Write it down!

Getting Ready -- Training!

2009-05-23T20:56:00.002-05:00

Mom carries my bike on her car like this!

I stopped to smell the Yellow Rose of Texas during endurance training.
Coco and I practice our sit stays at Coco's house - ISKANDAR.

GO DOG GO! TO THE RRCUS NATIONAL SPECIALTY!

2009-05-23T20:34:00.006-05:00

WOW! It has been almost six months

since I went west to Eukanuba!

My next BIG EVENT is the RRCUS National Specialty in Lansing, MI.

I hear they like cars there so I'm trying to decide which car to take!

Can you help me decide? Just comment ...

Going Home FROM EUKANUBA - DAY TWO!

2009-02-24T23:27:00.010-06:00

We waited all day and now have to stay over night. Mommy Jeanie said I am to use this red thing now and again before boarding in the morning!
The plane was delayed! The fancy hotels don't want me!

Huh ... maybe this LaQuinta/Hooters place will welcome me as a guest.
What a HOOT! They did! I am so sleepy ... soooooo sleepy.

At the John Wayne airport. I decided to sit at the BIG MAN'S feet and pose for a while.

Looks like he belongs to me!

Waiting, waiting, to board a second day of an overnight delayed flight.

WOW! We made it to Houston, Texas! My mommy wanted to see if I was on the plane and

guess what? I wasn't there! I was LOST! OPPS! The good people loaded me onto the next plane to Dallas but made my mummy wait for hours! I got home before her. Good thing Uncle James picked me up. All is well that ends well!

What an adventure!

Going Home

2009-02-04T23:56:00.011-06:00

Waiting to board on Monday morning. I do not want to go back to Texas. Why don't you listen?
I'm waiting to board a plane. California ... I'm leaving on a jet plane ... don't know

when I'll be back again ... I want to stay!
At the airport -- HOURS of waiting -- Good dog -- I'm a good dog!

These nice people are Good people -- good people!

Oh -- Mummy Jeanie -- what is going on with all this travel?

Meet the Breed

2009-02-04T17:57:00.013-06:00

I'm waiting for attention at the "Meet the Breed" booth.

Our booth was THE very BEST!

See the BIG FIRST place rosette!

I'm proud of all those hard working PEOPLE who

created the Rhodesian Ridgeback booth!

SEE the African theme, WOW!

This chap REALLY loved me. I mean REALLY!

Life is Good!

2009-01-29T20:49:00.010-06:00

Sightseeing ... Rain & Snow!

2009-01-29T20:49:00.009-06:00

RAIN, I think its is crying --- my mum and I have to go back to Texas soon!
Don't cry - we hope to be back next year!

The fiddlers at the Irish pub. Auntie Kim had to return to

Texas so Friend Auntie Lisa and Mom ate at the pub again!

SNOW! This is cool stuff--- found it next to the yacht club. This is more than

I see in Texas! Wow - Snow in Long Beach! Fun to play in it for a bit!

I would like to sail. Just need a Sailor and a boat.
I would like to stay in California. It is so much fun!

Sightseeing - Fresh Air!

2009-01-26T21:20:00.010-06:00

Smell the great air. That is our beach in the background!

Mom and I ... out for a long scenic walk.

Oh Queen Mary - can I sail on you?

Peek-a-Boo on the Queen Mary!

I like this Cabin Cruiser. Party time!

New Friends!

2009-01-22T22:31:00.009-06:00

Mom and I met my new Auntie Lisa on our first day!

Auntie Kim & Ann & Auntie Lisa

My Mommy and Judge Pollender-Calcicari

Kathryn Blumenfeld-Jones and the Best Bred By in Eukanuba Ch Kakilstarrynightofpumamere-copperd and me and Mom

Mommy Jeanie, Handler Tony and Aunt
Kim at the AKC Canine Health Foundation Fundraiser/cocktail party.

See out the window ...

2009-01-22T22:21:00.007-06:00

See out the window. What a great View!

Auntie Kim and I have pillow talk.

Whine! Not my wine on the bed!

Must sleep with my spidy legs and have a super hero dream of winning!

In the room ...

2009-01-22T22:04:00.008-06:00

The California trip - oh was gone in a flash.

Just a few moments to relax.

Yummy! Great leftovers in the Doggy Bag ... I spy with my little eye a few morsels in the corner!

Yummy!

2009-01-21T19:34:00.007-06:00

Asleep and dreaming about the fun day at the beach and at the Queen Mary. What a busy day! Must Sleep!
Queen Mary and The G & Ts --- my Auntie Kim's hand is ready to eat and drink again!

Mum enjoying a Gin and Tonic on the Queeen Mary --- YUM! Poor me -- Im' sleeping in car!

Ate too much --- oh soooo good!

So -- Mum and Auntie Kim drank to that, twas a great time in the little Irish pub!

At the Show

2009-01-21T19:20:00.013-06:00

Look!

I'm Big! I'm Beautiful!

Thanks to Eukanuba for inviting me!

I love my Award of Excellence!

The world class dogs invited by Eukanuba.

A beautiful opening ceremony for the international competition.

Mutual Admiration!

This is really what it is like!

Whirling about -- almost dizzy!

Clint - I'm down here!

At The Beach

2009-01-21T18:34:00.012-06:00

Hey - what's your name? I'll remember you next time!

Fun meeting new friends.

Picnic lunch - kids race about, playing in the sand.

Jumping for joy with Auntie Kim. She thinks I'm a fun guy!

California is Fun!

How is this for show practice?

OHHHH!!

I'm so beautiful!

Tanqueray and Palm Trees

2008-12-19T21:28:00.005-06:00

Digging the Beach

2008-12-19T21:20:00.001-06:00

Footprints in the Sand

2008-12-19T21:07:00.003-06:00

Inkosi crosses the seagull trail.

Big News!

2008-12-16T22:28:00.000-06:00

Here I am showing on Friday. What a beautiful

setting for a hoilday show!

I think Clint has something good to eat ...

I might do things for a treat.

Big News:

Oh my GOSH!

I won an Award Of Excellence at Eukanuba!

Thank you to my handler - Clint Livingston and to friend Linda Clark!

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Thank you too to Dr. Laura, and Jan & KatieRooRoo for your encourageing comments and to my Followers - COOL!

Wheeeeee! That was fun!

Around Town

2008-12-12T18:47:00.001-06:00

Here is Aunt Kim and Mr. Jack Motsinger on the Queen Mary. He told a GHOST Story!

He and his tour group saw a blonde woman in red dress walk through a wall. Cool.

Here is a view of the yacht club from across the lagoon.

The hotel and conventen center are just left of the round building.

I loved the Queen Mary. We looked for ghosts but only found the story.

Mom and me in the hotel lobby.

Here we are outside the hotel. I'm showing off my ridge and she is showing off her jacket.

It shows of a photo of me!

Welcome to the Big Show

2008-12-12T15:51:00.001-06:00

Mom Jeanie and I are welcoming all to the BIG SHOW !

For my debute in California the first two judges considered me in the running, along with three others, for Best of Breed. WOW -- it is hard to beat the number one dog even though I look pretty damn good! Number one dog (Ikaika) has won breed for three days.

Tomorrow I will be competing against all the top RRs in the country!

With my good handler, Clint Linvingston, I hope to win an Award of Merit - or hey - Best of Breed!

Next post will be photos of taking Mommy Jeanie and Aunt Kim around the the town.

Go West Inkosi!

2008-12-10T23:45:00.002-06:00

Beverly Hills Dog Show!

Wednesday - December 10

We came, we showed, we got pulled! Really an honor, but no breed win today. I, Inkosi looked great and got noticed. The number one dog won breed.

Jeanie and Kim ate lunch at an Irish pub and took a nap! They ate too much, drank too much and slept too much! After a long walk we, Jeanie, Kim and I watched best in show - it went to the Pointer!

The weather is beautiful the setting - spectacular!I The Queen Mary is just across the lagoon from us.

All the BEST dogs from around the nation are here what a pleasure to see them!

We see the best of dogs and people, so many friends and acquaintances...what a pleasure. Of course ... watching the beautiful sunset from the west is great!

Here are some photos from my "Inkosi Goes West" adventure--see above.