This is Kuma. She’s our big bear of a dog – a Caucasian Shepherd. We got her as a guardian for 3 bratty Pomeranians, and she does her job well.

She quickly grew too big to play with them, so we got her a German Shepherd puppy as a playmate. Those two get along great, and do a fantastic job guarding the farm (and the Poms).

When Kota, the GSD, was about 6 months old, he went outside for his usual morning routine, but ran off as fast as lightning. A large coyote was sniffing around the chicken coop, and he was fast enough to grab it by the hind leg.

I was leashing Kuma in the house when I heard a scuffle. Although Kota was big even then, I did not want him to get into a scrap with a full-grown coyote. He yelped, and I let go of Kuma’s leash.

She charged. I raced after her with a big stick, ready to help my dogs. I didn’t need to. That coyote didn’t stand a chance. She hit it like a locomotive, and picked it up clear off the ground, throwing into the side of the barn. She was on it before it hit the ground, slamming that coyote all over the place. Poor Kota (he was unharmed) just stood there in shock.

There wasn’t much left afterwards. Kuma turned around with her big goofy dog grin and happily went for a nap after checking Kota to make sure he was ok. I cleaned her up, and cleaned up the mess. She did exactly what she was bred to do – protect her family.

I had a rhodesian ridgeback. She was beautiful, and dumb!

I adored her, and she loved everyone and anyone. She was the epitome of the “Henlo Frend” meme!

This is as vicious as she got.

Mean as puff pastry right?

Well that’s what I thought.

One morning, when I lived in London, I was taking her for a walk. I crossed the road and heard the shout. The hat shop at the bottom of the road was being broken in to. The shopkeeper was trying to force the robbers in to the street.

One minute my beautiful goofy girlie was walking beside me, the next she was on her back legs (and she stood 6 foot on her back legs) growling, snapping and snarling. She barked, anyone who knows a Ridgie knows a bark is a bad sign.

I literally had to hang on to the lamp post to hold her back. I shouted “Get away from him or I’ll release her!”

The robbers looked over and saw a Ridgie in full blooded attack mode and made the wiser decision. The second they ran off, she calmed down and became my Loopy Lu again. She padded over to the shopkeeper and made a fuss of him and greeted the police with a waggy tail and friendly sniffs.

She was the gentlest dog I have ever owned, but I wouldn’t take her on.

Sadly, my little luna longlegs passed the rainbow bridge in her daddy’s arms 6 years ago. We still talk about her, and we still love her.