Not the Baby of the Family Anymore

Her name is Trinity.

She is a 100 lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback, a dog breed indigenous to Southern Africa and in the earlier parts of its history, commonly known as the African Lion Hound or African Lion Dog because of their ability to harass a lion and keep it at bay while awaiting their master to make the kill.

Well, that trait carries on to current day in Trinity. She does have the ability to harass, but the "harass-ees" are either other dogs or people she doesn't know well, who enter our house.

Another distinguishing trait is the ridge of hair along her back running in the opposite direction to the rest of her coat. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two whorls of hair (called "crowns") and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders, down to the level of the hips.

Ridgebacks are known to be loyal and intelligent. For example, her loyalty lies first and foremost with her "dad." When Roy is home playing Dungeons and Dragons, I mean, World of Warcraft, she ALWAYS sits on the floor next to him. I swear there's an outline of her body indented in the carpet.

She's also extremely intelligent. She knows when she's in trouble without much (if any) scolding. She even tries to pull her "What did I do?" look on us. Or you could try to sneak food in an armored case, but she'd sniff it out and immediately pull out all her tricks in an attempt for you to share your food. OR when she and I go out for a walk and her dad comes home before we get back, she knows as soon as we walk in the house that he's home, even if he's no where to be seen.

Despite her imposing exterior, she has a sensitive side that's demonstrated in so many ways. When Roy and/or I come home, she nuzzles her nose right in our crotch that tells us how much she missed us. Or when Roy and I are sitting on our sectional couch, watching a movie, she sits on the floor right in the middle of us. OR when she needs a little rub on the head, she'll take our hand with her nose and flip our hands up so it lands on her head (that's my favorite :)).

I remember first meeting her over 5 years ago...I thought to myself, oh no, she doesn't like me (recall, not knowing someone entering her home = harassment!)...this might make dating Roy difficult. But after getting over that hurdle and earning each other's respect, today (and everyday), I think to myself, "What would I do without her in my life???"