Eulogy for Baraka
For the love of a Ridgeback named Baraka and his family Mike, Ellen, Scot and Patrick.
There is an intimate interlude when tears welled as your beloved Ridgeback Baraka gazed into your eyes knowing and accepting what was to be. In the very moments before transition from this earth to heaven a long lingering look with gentleness and love in a final communion.
"I, Baraka loved and was cherished throughout my life and through this past year, so well cared for and loved by you"
"As an exuberant head strong juvenile in the image of my dad Raj, I was 'king of the mountain' then in my eighteenth month within feet of my beautiful home and garden parameter in Rancho Santa Fe. I was hit by a speeding Porsche traveling at over 60 miles an hour. My body took the full brunt of the impact as I, was hurled several feet into the air, the driver failed to stop, afraid perhaps that he had killed me. Fourteen year old Scot, traumatized his heart beating wildly rushed to my side in tears to comfort me. I lost consciousness for a moment but twitched my ears to show him I, was alive and gritted my teeth against excruciating pain in my body and front left leg that intensified. My mom Ellen cradled my head in her lap and rushed me to the 'best state of the art clinic' within minutes of our home. She tried to hide her anguish, but her tears flowed as she kissed my face a gesture I loved. Kind hands of emergency technicians rushed me into X-rays and prepared me fo!
r surgery to save my life uttering, soothing gentle words of comfort and encouragement as I sighed deeply in relief and drifted into semiconsciousness"
Baraka was in intensive care for days in the hands of a gifted orthopedic surgeon with round the clock compassionate care by staff veterinarians for a hurt and valiant Ridgeback with a will to live. Ellen was told after the remarkable orthopedic procedure, that an 8 inch plate with screws had been inserted to meld the shattered bones in his left leg. Barring life threatening post operative complications or possible rejection and amputation, the prognosis for his future remained guarded. Words which chilled Ellen's heart. but with prayer and hope that Baraka, would live and learn perhaps to walk. again. No expense was spared by the Bailey's in saving Baraka's life. We could only dream what might have been in his future.
Baraka with resilience and heart made a remarkable recovery and even though his show or left front leg was slightly larger with the intact plate his 'king of the mountain' attitude and movement remained flawless. Baraka won the open dog class and his sister Tosca open bitch at The RRCUS National Specialty in California, under breeder judge Alicia Mohr Hanna after the accident. A young professional handler Valerie Nunez had been selected to show him and under her tutelage Baraka became the optimum show dog as spectators marveled at the meld between them of sheer joy in the ring. Spronk he did, his signature trade mark whenever tapped for Best of Breed or in the Group.
A few grumbled tongue-in-cheek about his flamboyance in the ring as distracting to competitors as he flew around like Pegasus. When Judge Michael Douherty dressed in an immaculate white linen suit gave him a 5 point major towards his championship, he spronked and play bowed and then spronked again catching him on the nose. Blood dripped onto the white linen jacket apologies abounded. Mr Douherty brushed off the apologies calmly removed his jacket and said. "A Ridgeback with personality and showmanship in the ring is worth a little blood."
Triumph
BISNS Champion Dbltake Rajataru Baraka
CH: Ridgelea Rajput Agnikant X CH: Doubletake Call The Wind Mariah (Rajataru Foundation Sire and Dam 1995)
RRCUS National Specialty in Winter Park, Colorado 1999 Breeder Judge Stacey Davis.
Valerie Nunez with Baraka the golden boy with a steel plate in his leg and with heart at an altitude of over 8000 thousand feet. Performed in one of the longest dueling contests requiring showmanship, stamina and endurance along with Ch: Starland Sweet Baby James in the show ring.
Selected Best of Breed. Baraka, the winner after a remarkable performance for the ultimate prize for Ridgebacks 'BEST IN SHOW RRCUS NATIONAL SPECIALTY ' by Ms Davis was an overwhelming testament of courage against all odds.
Heartfelt gratitude to Ridgeback Breeder Judges Ms Stacey Davis, for BISNS. For the privilege and dream of lifetime for an owner and breeder. Breeder Judges Alicia Mohr Hanna above mentioned and Jay Hyman for BOB who wrote.>>"I was probably one of the
first to see him being shown and the picture with Valerie remains. It was
a privilege to put him up. He was lovely, and one that all the other
great ones can be compared too. A pleasure to know and watch>>.
Judges recognized his outstanding qualities in the show ring unaware of Baraka history of survival
I include and thank Victoria for her kind words and tribute to Baraka, in Winter Park posted on rr-list below touched our hearts.
<<In my mind's eye, I can see Baraka in that ring at Winter Park when Valerie stepped back from the free stack and presented him to the crowd: aloof, composed and regal. What happened next was incredible. He literally surveyed the crowd, scanning each side of the ring, demanding that the audience LOOK AT HIM. He didn't ask for that win on that day... he commanded it.
We spend a lot of time on these lists talking about type and standard; and, over the years, have come to know and appreciate many great champions, their accomplishments and the legacy they left behind. Regardless of our preferences and favorites - on that day, at that moment - Baraka displayed what all of us love in this breed: presence>> Victoria Lindsay
"Approaching my 11th Birthday in November 2006 I, could now no longer spronk for joy or walk or embrace or nuzzle my family due to an old injury that came back to haunt me as my body weakened under its burden with age. All the specialists advice and an assortment of arthritic medication and recommended herbs to reduce the inflammation. But neither drugs or acupuncture could ease or renew and strengthen my arthritic bones or stimulate damaged nerves in old age"
"I. spoke often to you communicating with my eyes, delighted in each day as you carried me outdoors into the fresh Californian air with enjoyment I, basked in sun drenched mornings I, so dearly loved, and padded my bed for extra warmth and comfort. When I could no longer walk and sniff around the orange trees and bushes and mark my territory you were all there to protect my dignity without reproach. My time to leave was yet to come and you would know when my eyes would focus and tell you it was time. Your togetherness and humanity and love through adversity brought me joy. You named me aptly 'Baraka; which means "Blessings" and with your compassion and love you were free to bless and let me go onward in my life's journey. In your hands I leave with you my legacy and joy through my progeny. At the Utah Specialty 2006 in BOB Seeger, Kobe and Diva forever young veterans and their progeny and many grandchildren and great grandchildren in the classes on their way towards champ!
ionship I, live on through ancestry and my spirit lives on forever with you. As I, Baraka said farewell August 2nd 2006"
We cried softly together for Baraka a beloved Ridgeback in verity a 'Magnificent Champion' 1995-2006
With Love
Ann
Baraka's pictures can be seen on
www.liondog.comAnn Miller
