Baneka Butler

Your name means “My special daughter”

“We can’t feel saddened over the loss of those we love without first remembering the joy of loving them.
The real sadness would have been never to have had them in our lives at all.
Remembering in a journey the heart takes back into a time that was and our thoughts are the only tickets needed to ride.”

Our Memories

Baneka, you were our fifth Ridgeback. A gentle girl whom we trained up to CD standard in obedience but never got to trial you in the ring. You also had a wonderful time in the show ring, enjoying many happy days with us and your Ridgeback friends. You enjoyed fetching, for a treat of course. You were the only Ridgeback we owned that would go over a jump, retrieve a dumbbell and return it to me. You often thought to yourself, as Ridgebacks do, that not going over the jump on the return would get you back quicker and then you would get your treat sooner. When we look back over the many photos of you and your many doggie friends, there you always are in the front of the line up for treats.

When you were a puppy you used to get us out of bed of a morning by putting your head under the doona and playfully nibbling John on the toes. If that didn’t get us up you would take the doona and walk out the door with it. Still not to be deterred, if we didn’t move you would then run back and forward over us until we got the message.

You always had to turn 3 times before settling down to sleep at night. Not once or twice but always 3 times. It’s little things that make for precious memories.

My most special time with you was swimming in the ocean at the dog beach.
Although not an avid swimmer, you loved to be in the water with me where we would wade the length of the dog beach at Hillarys with the water supporting your weight, I held you in my arms, your head on my shoulder and the sun on your back and a smile on your face.

Every morning for eight years we shared wonderful walks at Gwelup, Carine and Stirling with your litter brother PK and his mum.

Ridgebacks are described as faithful, affectionate, loyal and intelligent. You were all of those things.

Our thanks to Jim and Dave and everyone at Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital in Albany, for their expert care of Baneka. We also give very special thanks to Ali Lazar of Shenton Park Chiropractic Clinic who took care of Baneka’s spine for most of her life and who kept her comfortable and in good health.

Our big girl is now on Safari at the Rainbow Bridge with her litter brother, PK, her mates, Diesel CD and Yogo.

Zoe and John Butler
(Owned and loved by Baneka for 11 years)