By Theresa M. Lyons, Editor
The Ridgeback Register

The year was 1990. My mother-in-law and then-golden retriever breeder, Joanne Lyons, and I were driving up Schooley's Mountain Road to my first dog-handling class, equipped with a Martingale leash, lots of doggie treats and a four-month-old golden puppy. The first time I ran around that ring, I knew this was for me. Competitive by nature, I took to the sport of dog showing with ease. Unfortunately, one year and two goldens later, we came to the realization that winning in that breed as a novice owner-handler was next to impossible.

Seeing my frustration, instructor and professional handler Mickey Cooke pulled me aside at my last class. "Theresa, you have a gift with dogs," he said, and asked if I might be interested in trying another breed. After some thought and mixed emotions about switching breeds, I figured I had nothing to lose.

A week later, I came to class in the hopes of meeting this new breed that would allow me to grow. But, unwilling to give up on my mother-in-law's golden, I had her with me, and started class with her. Twenty minutes went by before Mickey came over and said, "She's waiting," pointing to a woman sitting in the corner with five brown dogs surrounding her. Some were stately, like the woman holding them, and others, well, let's just say they were rambunctious youngsters.

The woman was obviously annoyed at my lack of attentiveness, and I could not help but think I might be in over my head. Not because of how she looked, but because she looked like somebody. Hair just so, and doggy bling-bling everywhere.

"I don't know about this," I said to Mickey. Though 24 years old, I felt like a kid on the way to the principal's office.

"Nonsense," he replied, looking me in the eye. "This woman will teach you everything you will ever need to know about dogs."

As Mickey introduced me to Alicia Mohr-Hanna of Kimani Kennels, I knew he was right. It took all of two minutes for me to fall in love with her Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I jumped right in, and soon I found myself at Kimani Kennels three times a week, during my lunch breaks. Under Alicia's watchful eye, I learned quickly. She not only took the time to sharpen my handling skills, she also taught me something new about the breed each time we met.

One day, during one of our learning sessions, Alicia asked me to help her with pedigree sheets. We started cutting and gluing photos on typed pedigrees. And this is where it all began.

A bored secretary looking for a more creative future, I purchased a computer, bought some books, and taught myself the basics of graphic design. It wasn't long before I realized I had found my passions … graphic design and Ridgebacks.

Around that time, RRCUS was looking for a new editor for the club magazine. While it was a volunteer position, the club was looking into the possibilities of hiring out the layout work. So, with my little amount of experience, I put my name in the hat. As you might guess, I did not get the job.

With some encouragement from family and many friends, I decided to start a new publication for the breed. The first issue of The Ridgeback Register was published in August 1995, with a two-color cover and 19 pages of black-and-white advertisements.

Funny how 10 years can go by in an eyeblink. But I know where the time went … marriage, three beautiful children, many co-owned and champion Ridgebacks, photography, my own business specializing in design and fundraising, and now … a ten-year celebration of passion for a breed that has touched my life in so many ways.

The year is 2005. My husband and I are driving our three children to one of New Jersey's state parks for a memorable family day. And just like my journey into the world of Ridgebacks, the only way to get there was by traveling up Schooley's Mountain Road.