16/12/2023
Hi friends…a bit of a bittersweet post to share, but I know it will have a great ending. ❤️
If you follow me or Wildewood Rhodesian Ridgebacks, you may be familiar with Darby. She is my keeper girl from my last litter that I kept here with me.
A few weeks ago, I found a small dermoid on her. Without going into a lot of detail…this is a type of neural skin tube defect that we watch for in Ridgebacks. It was something she was born with and just now discovered. The good thing is…this will get removed and will affect her zero. They don’t grow back, they don’t grow more of them later…it’s out and done and she is perfect forever.
The heartbreaking part (for me) is that I have decided to make her available to place in a home. In the chance that she could ever pass this on, she will need to be spayed. I absolutely adore her, but I know I cannot keep them all. She is young enough to adapt, with an amazing temperament and personality and I cannot imagine how much joy she would bring someone. She is the most amazing girl. Also, if I could fast forward past all the hard puppy stuff and get one at this age…sign me up!
Darby is 5.5 months, fully crate-trained and potty trained. She is great around all dogs, people, kids and has been socialized heavily. She has been to training classes, dog shows, field coursing, multiple houses for overnights, wineries (of course), rides great in a crate in the car, is good with her nails, on a leash, knows basic commands…just an all-around gem. She is extremely food motivated and focused…so would be perfect for anyone wanting to do performance training or agility. She is one of the snuggliest puppies I’ve ever had…loves to nibble ears. She is also FREAKISHLY GORGEOUS…one of the prettiest Ridgebacks I’ve ever seen. If you want to be stopped everywhere you go…this is your girl.
She comes from fully health-tested multi-champion parents. Both OFA tested and cleared for hip/elbow dysplasia, thyroid, cardiac, eyes clear. Both parents also have additional clearances on heart arrhythmia. Darby is also already tested herself for DM (degenerative myelopathy) and is clear. This is a bunch of geeky health talk…but what this all means is that she is very thoughtfully bred and clear of all major diseases we have the ability to test for.
If you are interested or know anyone else that would be interested, please reach out. She will be sold on the same contract and process as my 8-week puppies, which requires an application to be filled out.
Whoever gets her is going to be the luckiest. They will also have to put up with me and my ugly cry, as this is not easy. But, I know it’s the right thing and I know the perfect home is out there for her. ❤️
“Darby” 🥃
Wildewood’s Good Time Girl
(Ask me how she got her name 😉)
