Bosco has a FAMILY!!  Through the efforts of Bosco's foster family, local rescuers, and local ridgeback enthusiasts we were so INCREDIBLEY FORTUNATE to meet and subsequently adopt Bosco to Perry Smith in NY.  Perry and Bosco took to each other immediately, and with help from Ridgeback lovers and good local trainers they were REALLY able to develop a relationship that has continued to bloom.  Perry is a Ridgeback BELIEVER now and Bosco has flourished and become a well loved member of Perry's family.  They enjoy walking, hiking to the lake, playing in the ocean, biking, tossing toys, and chilling out together.  Bosco is one VERY lucky dog, and all of us helping Bosco are thrilled for both he and Perry.

Bosco and Perry's Story made the Rescue Publications!  See story below and enjoy the pictures of life with Bosco!!!   Thank you Perry and RR RESCUE!!!!

We became aware of a 7 year old liver nose male named Bosco in a County
shelter through a long time RR Breeder. Bosco was pulled from the shelter
and set up in rescue. We were able to contact his breeder who is
located on the other side of the country. Our volunteer very quickly
became attached to the dog and wanted to help with the placement.
Bosco's breeder agreed and appreciated our commitment. In fact 2 RRRI
volunteers worked very hard with this dog.
Bosco was extremely difficult, lacked training and socialization but
had a desire to please. He was taken to 3 training classes and for the
first 5 minutes of acting like a rodeo bronco, Bosco then settled in and
improved each time. The breeder found a potential adopter who met us at
training on Bosco's first night. We could tell he was a little shocked
at what he saw and probably should have run out the door. He spoke to
trainers and eventually set up with a trainer, who has had RRs for many
years.
The hardest thing to do was to back off and let them learn about each
other, making a few mistakes along the way. It was best for Bosco and
the new owner and allowed them to bond very quickly. They now are so
well bonded they look and act like they have been together for many
years. Even though Bosco was part of rescue a short time and placed
through the efforts of the breeder and 2 of our RRRI volunteers working
outside rescue, Bosco's good fortune and great home qualify him as a
true rescue success story. The new owner, will take up the story and
give an update on Bosco's progress...

I first learned about Bosco when I went to visit a friend who owns a
kennel, and a ridgeback. She had received a text message about Bosco,
who was with rescue and needed a home. The message had a phone number
for his breeder out west. When I called the breeder she was very
helpful and took the time to answer all of my many questions. She then put
me in contact with the NY rescue people.
I first met Bosco at an obedience class. I still remember when the
rescue volunteer walked over to me and stated "I can see this is not
what you expected," I said "when does he calm down ?"
In the beginning there were some rough spots. On Bosco's first
night at my home it was a non stop battle from 11:00 to 2:45 am with him
trying to get up on the bed and me trying to keep him off. Then there
was the barking and counter surfing, no food was safe left out. There were times
Bosco would get a little mouthy and he did not know his own strength. One
problem we had was when I went to the butcher shop and got him a marrow
bone. He loved that bone and made it clear that I was not allowed near
him when he had it. But with time, trust and training he got over these
issues, maybe not the counter surfing.
Now Bosco has adjusted well to his new home. There's a 6 foot
fenced rear yard to run around in. He enjoys two 1 1/2 mile walks a
day, some days longer, through the neighborhood. He loves going for
rides and does well in the car. With the help of the breeder and the
RRRI volunteers Bosco became a great ridgeback!

Life with Perry

Bosco is a 7 year old son of KKR Flamenco Rhythm (Mink) and CH Kengali’s Solamente Uno (Solo), born 9/10/03, which makes him a littermate of my male, KKR Kengali’s Charleston (Charlie). He is a very, very dark liver nose, neutered male with the most beautiful amber eyes!!!

Bosco turned up in a shelter in New York and thankfully thru the efforts of the fantastic rescue folks out there they were able to track me down and identify who he is for sure!!! Thank YOU, Thank YOU Ridgeback Rescue!!! The person who found him and helped get him from the shelter, has been an RR breeder and in the breed for 40 years. She saw him first and said she could "champion that dog in a heartbeat". I consider that high praise!  Bosco was a very beautiful puppy! – see his baby pictures below from when he was know as “Butternut” from the Fall Harvest Litter. Charlie is pictured with him.

Currently, Bosco is with a foster family in NY who wrote this about him:

I have him here with me now and he is doing well. He had a rough first night with me and then settled in quickly. He certainly does not look 7! He is a very happy dog, a little stubborn, no big shock there! He sits on command and even when distracted he will respond almost immediately to his name. He listens and is quite the character and very intelligent. He works equally well for treats and amazingly without them. The only thing I'd rule out is very small children. He just does not know his own strength, but most probably could be taught easily to be careful around them. He is like a bull in a china shop and can knock over a coffee table just wagging his tail. He settles down quickly when told, however. He's very adaptable and trusting and will adjust well to a new home.

The assistant manager at the shelter, who took a shine to Bosco, said he put on a few pounds while there. The papers say 79 pounds, however I am not sure if that was when he arrived or some time during his stay. I think he could easily carry 15 to 20 more pounds, he has plenty of bone and is still built like a tank. I am feeding him 4 cups a day. The shelter indicated that he was food aggressive - turns out it is just typical RR exuberance. I have hand fed him since the first day and practice taking his food dish away from him and moving it around, he has never been a problem with that. Another volunteer for RRRI, friends of mine, have a shop and we took a walk and visited them and they also fed him by hand.

Wait until you see this guy! He just does not know how special he is. I have become, very quickly, quite fond of him, his behavior and temperament. If I did not have a rescue already, I’d be looking for a way to keep him! He is a magnificent dog.

Bosco’s foster family will make sure that he is up to date on all his shots and wormings. He is microchipped for permanent identification although the shelter did not read one.  The foster family have only had him since 3/10/10 so I am sure they will get to know him better and will be able to give us more insight as to “who” Bosco is. They promised some new pictures too! We think it would be best if we could find Bosco a new home somewhere in the Northeast where he will not have to be flown.

I am confident that we will find a great “forever home’ for Bosco. He is a gorgeous dog, and by all reports has his families' incredible personality and temperament to boot.

Please contact me thru my contact page if you are interested in perhaps adopting Bosco.

Bosco