You really can’t tell the Tolby story without talking about Zastrow. I’ve backdated this post to the date of Zastrow’s death to put it in context. The sudden death of Zas is why the timing worked out on Tolbs.
Zastrow was our third ridgeback, also named for a Philmont Backcountry camp. His sire is GCHG DC Uwanja’s Raatum, BN SC CGCU RN who also happens to be Tolby’s grandsire. So yeah, that makes Zastrow Tolby’s uncle. Pretty cool.
Zastrow was one of the most dedicated dogs that I’ve ever had. I believe he loved me more than any other dog has, and maybe ever will. But he also loved the other members of the family, depending on which of his favorites were available.
Zastrow was officially a pet quality ridgeback but that was really just because we were a pet quality home back when he was born in 2012. Knowing a lot more about this now, I’ve have no doubt he could have finished his championship. He was handsome and moved beautifully.
He did a good job raising Theo and Rohan to think that they were also ridgebacks, even if they would eventually learn to play fetch which he certainly didn’t teach them.
I’m not sure what the ridgeback afterlife looks like, but it’s my hope that Zastrow has found Blaire who tolerated him in her old age and met his backcountry camp predecessor Maxwell. Two years after his death, I still miss the dog who wanted to be my best friend.