What I Learned Today

Today I interviewed someone for a profile for a trade magazine and learned two things: One, I don't believe I've ever heard of a Rhodesian Ridgeback (pictured above.) This man has two of them, named Zambezi and Mesquite. Very international!

This dog is also called the African Lion Hound or the African Lion Dog, and according to Wikipedia, here's why:

"The breed's history dates back to early in the 18th century, when the first European settlers found dogs domesticated by Khoi-khoi tribes with the hair on the spine turned forward. In the late 19th century, big game hunters needed a hunting dog that was tough, resistant to disease, and intelligent enough to avoid crocodiles and snakes, but brave and fast enough to face a lion. Also important was a tick-repellent smooth coat and tight paw pads to protect against thorns and rough terrain. Cornelius Van Rooyen of Plumtree, Rhodesia, was the main person behind the development of the breed."

This man described his dogs as very gentle with his two girls (aged 3 years and 18 months). The dogs let the girls put stickers on them, play with them and the dogs will let smaller dogs at the dog park crawl and sniff all over them.

The other thing I learned is that he told me he was half-French, half-American Indian and when I asked him which tribe, he said Caddo which he had to spell since I'd never heard of this particular tribe. The tribe is based in Oklahoma with a long history going back a time when the Caddo people populated most of East Texas, and parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Here's what Wikipedia says:

The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe. They were previously known as the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma. A tribal constitution provides for a tribal council consisting of eight members with a chairperson, based in Binger, Oklahoma. The tribal complex, dance grounds, and the Caddo Heritage Museum are located south of Binger. 5000 people are enrolled in the tribe, with 2500 living within the state of Oklahoma. The tribe operates its own housing authority and issues its own tribal vehicle tags.[1] They maintain administrative centers, dance grounds, several community centers, and an active NAGPRA office

So, true to form, I can vouch for the fact that we learn something new every day!