Rhodesian Ridgeback

Date of Birth 07/1998, Weight 85 lbs,,, Health Excellent, Crate trained Yes, Lady Madonna
Please look past her age - she has so much love to share and really needs to live out her life with a special family. Lady is tired! She has done her share of motherhood and now has done her part in leading a large Ridgeback play group into civility! She is perfect to be a quiet companion, only looking to protect you and love you! Have you ever looked at something, an object, a person or perhaps a dog and each time you look the words and music of an old song start to play in your head? A song long forgotten, from a life long past, a song that had no special meaning, at least not until this time would last.

Such was the case when one very special old girl, a livernose purebred arrived at the Rescue Ranch from parts unknown. She came with a name but she knew it not. The papers she arrived with show her to be nine years of age and her appearance reflected every minute of all nine years.

As I gazed at the countenance of that which screamed the years of waste and neglect, far in the back of my troubled mind a note and lyric were heard to play.

“Lady Madonna, Baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest”

For this one there had been many “children”. It is reasonable to believe that this old girl had produced a litter of pups for every cycle of her nine years of life. The words issue forth without deliberation, “Lady”,”Lady Madonna “. And in the tired and uncaring eyes there is a spark of interest. The cauliflower ear, swollen and distorted, tilts and a step is taken forward. Despair is replaced by hope as the tail starts to wag in slow rhythm with the music that is not there. “Lady Madonna” is that going to be your name, is that who you are?

The following days and weeks are filled with the wonders of witnessing a life reborn. The introduction to a padded bed, something the calloused body assures is a totally new experience in the life of this old girl, is a major event. There are acknowledgements of gratitude for each bowl of kibble presented and in only a few days she learns that she can eat directly from the bowl without first scattering the food on the ground. The crate and bed become her most prized possession, a spaced that is hers and hers alone to be guarded as only a Ridgeback can. Necessities of the body are for sidewalks and the concrete portion of the runs. Grass and wood chips are far too valued as a place to rest to ever be soiled for purpose of elimination. Human contact once accepted with dread and fearful anticipation has become the high point of each day. This lady, once remote and withdrawn is now so alive with social charm, warmth and admiration for all who offer a kind and gentle hand.

Lady Madonna is but one of many at the Rescue Ranch who turn the labor of each days care into the essence of all that makes life worthwhile. You too can share in this experience by finding a place in your home and your heart for Lady M or any of the many others who reside in rescue’s care. And if the home has no room and the heart is filled with previous commitment, you can still share in the experience for it you, your support and generosity that make a new life possible for all the “Lady Madonna’s” of this world.

Lady Madonna: (Paul McCartney)

Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent

Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
See how they run

Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa pa pa pa...
See how they run

Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head

Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run

Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet

In the world of rescue the words are a little different:

In rescue the “ends” seldom meet.
Money is always heaven sent.
Friday night arrives without enough kibble.
Sunday morning is often “creeping like a nun”.
Monday’s child has learned to jump the back fence.
But it is a joy to see them run.
Tuesday afternoon the calls to surrender dogs is never ending.
Wednesday morning adopters didn’t come
Thursday night the back fence needing mending.
But it’s all worth it just to see them run.
Lady Madonna, there will always be puppies at your feet.
It is a wonder that there is even a hope to make ends meet.

You can help support Lady Madonna.