Rockridge Columbus 1990 - 2001

Columbo came into our lives in September 1990, through Molly O'Driscoll, who while visiting family and friends in Johannesburg S.A. was offered the possiblity of a dog pup from Billy and Joe Howard of the famous Rockridge Kennels. After many phone calls and meeting between members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Ireland, it was decided to accept this kind offer.
We were looking for a companion for our first ridgeback Sheena and it was decided to place Booley, as he was then called, with Gail and myself.
I remember,as if it was yesterday,this six month old, dark red, gangly pup whose front feet looked as if they were on the wrong legs, sitting in the quarantine kennels looking a bit bewildered, two days before he was running free at home in warm sunshine and now here he was sitting on concrete in a very strange place where the people spoke with a strange accent.
Six months went in quickly and in the following March we brought the newly named Columbo home to Comber. He came into the house, where he was immediately attacked by two little furry things, a three and a one year old Tibetan Spaniels. He never turned a hair instead he flooded the kitchen floor. These furry things, Zola and Pinkie were soon to become his good companion as indeed was Sheena (Ch Melrose Shareef Dancer).
It was soon obvious that despite his lack of beauty he had a personality and heart as big as any lion.
His show career never really got started, Columbo was not for the show ring. However a piece of advise given to me by a top hound judge,
Mr L Pagliero, "Sir you have a fine specimen, take him home, enjoy and when the time is right and with the right bitch use him at stud." I think Columbo was quite glad he didn't have to run round a show ring and be on his best behaviour, but could lie, instead,in his bed all day and perfume the air as only he could do. If the where prizes for passing wind Columbo would win paws down!
In 1994 we took the advise, Mr T Boyle's bitch Kizzey (Eber of Cloncrean), was introduce to Columbo. A pleasing litter was the result, three bitches and five dogs. Little did we know the bitch we brought home from that litter would turn out to be Ireland's top winning Rhodesian Ridgeback, GB Ch,IrCh,Int Ch Tombezi Gypsy Girl. This was Columbo's one and only litter which was a great pity and loss both to us and the breed.
He was a great character, it was a pleasure to have known him. He give us so much. After a short illness in January 2001 Columbo passed away.That was a very hard week for us, the previous Sunday Zara, our Basenji had also passed away and then on the Wednesday Columbo took ill he died on the Thursday. Like all ridgebacks who have a loving home he gave us much more than we could have ever given him.

Columbo lives on through his pups, three of which lives with us Trojan(Rocksham Moonshine)
Rolo(Rocksham Irish Mist)
and Kumba(Rockshan Kelder)
Also Rocksham Rio at Kylin who has had great success in England, she is owned and much loved by Karen Rimmer. They have all had some success in the show ring to a greater or lesser degree but more importantly have both the personality and temperment of their granfather Rockridge Columbus.