TONALA RIN
KATANA ET (NORTON)
Welcome to Norton's page!!!
Son of
Rinnie (CH RAVVAR COR LATONA
ET)
and Zed
(RAVVAR COR CALLISTO)
from my only litter in 1996 - named after classic
and famous motorcycles - "Katana" in Norton's name signifies his beautiful
ridge, likened to the Japanese samurai sword as well as a classic motorcycle
that is reliable and goes very fast!!! He has a gentle nature, is
affectionate and loves his extended family. He holds an Endurance Title and has
done the ET twice, passing both times with ease. He was the first dog ever to
participate in the Grand Parade of the Royal Adelaide Show in 1999 before his
friends joined in on the 2nd lap around the showgrounds oval. In
younger days he has been shown but he prefers a more exciting life
"outside", his greatest passion being race day just like his mum.
His favourite toy is the Buster Cube filled with dog biscuits - if you can
imagine a dog playing soccer at an incredible pace then you can picture
Norton at his best! He loves life and people and is a great
companion as every Rhodesian Ridgeback should be. Mind you life isn't too
tough for him either - he's loved and he knows it and gives lots of love in
return. Here are pictures of him doing the 2 Endurance
Tests......
Norton 11.2.96 -24.2.2006
To all who have ever lost a dog......You know how it
feels, I'm sure. Part of your very
soul is ripped out of you as well. My source of joy, my devoted boy,
"Norton," needed to go
before he could be robbed of any more dignity. In the 10 years he gave me, I
never once regretted having him. Always happy to see me .....like the poem says.
Could you love me like my dog? I owed him so much back. The decision to let him
go was more like ..... Could I be as loving, as my Dog,
to my Dog? I had to let him go for
his sake.. not mine. It was on the night of
his 10th birthday that I witnessed the first epileptic fit .... I will never
forget how helpless I felt when all I could do was try and protect him from
injury. The days since he has just wanted to sleep because I could not protect
him from the much more sinister happenings
inside his head which so quickly took away his zest
for life and being just him. No longer there in spirit.....Dignity he was owed.
Proudly he stood for the last time as I whispered all of his favourite things
into his ear....Maybe he heard them ...I think he did, for
me to then catch him in my arms as a final goodbye and
give him the eternal rest
and dreams he wanted and
deserved.
Rest my Darling Boy. You
deserve so much. You gave me more than I could ever deserve.
I will miss you, I will never forget you. My memories
of you at Ridgeback Racedays will live on forever. One day we sailed together
...just as I promised. Such a beautiful day it was.
The wind runs free and with it you run with me...
We will always run with the wind. A nearer friend one could never find as a
Ridgeback so dear to my heart. Linda Castle
