Since the mid 1970’s, a number of New Jersey and Pennsylvania members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) had expressed an interest in establishing a regional Rhodesian Ridgeback club.  RRCUS members in California, New England, Texas, and the Mid-west had each founded regional clubs with great success.

 

There was a lot of talk, however, nobody took the ball and ran with it until Dana Jefferson, a RRCUS club member from Wilmington, Delaware.  She saw the need, gathered the facts about how to start a regional club, and sent invitations to Ridgeback owners in NJ, DE, eastern PA, Long Island and southern NY State.

 

On a warm Sunday afternoon in September, 1990, more than 20 Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiasts gathered in the backyard of Karl & Priscilla Gabosch to build the foundation of the Greater Valley Forge Rhodesian Ridgeback Club (GVFRRC, pronounced “Grivik”.)  These individuals were a coalition of many skills--breeders, owners, and conformation exhibitors, as well as obedience, therapy dog, lure coursing, and agility enthusiasts.

The amount of work to be done seemed overwhelming, yet with Dana’s initiative and drive, along with the efforts of many, GVFRRC was born.

 

During the years, members have learned much from one another.  That’s the beauty of a regional club.  It’s “hands on, one-on-one.”  Members meet frequently during fun events where they get the opportunity to learn about themselves and where their dogs’ talents lie.  Members are only a phone call away, and often, just a short drive away. 

 

If you have a Ridgeback(s), if you want to learn more about these magnificent dogs, if you want the camaraderie of a group of dedicated Ridgeback enthusiasts, and if you want to get involved in the future of this club, GVFRRC invites you to join.

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RIDGE RAP- Editor: Celia Hoffman

 

The Ridge Rap is a quarterly publication provided to the GVFRRC membership. The newsletter reports on all club business and activities. It also provides an avenue for members to advertise litter announcements, individual dog achievements, and kennel business.  Most importantly, however, The Ridge Rap is a breeder's forum that strives to disseminate knowledge gleaned from its members, many of whom have decades of experience.

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RESCUE

 

GVFRRC decided early on that one of its principal activities as a club would be rescuing Ridgebacks.  Volunteers evaluate dogs being given up, arrange for foster care so the dogs may be examined for good health and temperament, and in some cases arrange for the proper "camp" for the dogs until the right adoptive home can be found.

 

The Club has been very fortunate so far.  Evaluators have been willing and able to go, in several instances at a moment's notice, to evaluate a dog.  The Club’s Founding Rescue Coordinator, the late Edna Gilbert, had a gift for finding the right home for the right dog.  Volunteer “foster parents" have always been willing to take a newcomer in, and transportation has  not been a problem.  GVFRRC has covered a lot of ground.

 

Since the inception of the program, rescue volunteers have successfully placed dozens of dogs and feedback received from the adopting families continues to indicate that all is going well.  Currently, rescue efforts are coordinated with RRCUS, with volunteers appointed on a state by state basis.  For more information, go to: Ridgeback Rescue.

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