THEIR FIRST STEP WAS TO SCREEN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MALABO APD’S 120 RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS
FOR THE CANINE DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY (DM) gene. This degenerative condition spreads through the dog’s spinal cord, rendering their limbs weak and pos- sibly leading to paralysis. Unfortunately, this screening is not available in South America, so Diniz had send all 120 samples of her dogs to the United States. With the results in hand, they began the process of clearing Malabo APD from DM. All affected dogs were neutered and spayed so that all the breeding would occur only between clear dogs. They also tested all their dogs for elbow and hips dys- plasia. Fortunately, all dogs have been cleared by Ortho- pedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Now Diniz has set her sights on finding ways to help dogs everywhere combat cancer. She started the ARD
Foundation in 2017 to help genetic cancer research in hu- mans in honor of her parents. Now she plans on opening a branch in the foundation, aimed at focusing on canine cancer in honor of her dogs. Though Malabo APD is well known for its Rhodesian Ridgebacks, those are not its only residents. With 340 dogs, only 120 are Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The kennel also has 77 Chihuahuas, and 143 rescues. Diniz is very selective of whom she sells her dogs to, wanting to assure their health, safety, and happiness. She only gives them to those she trusts, and then makes sure to keep tabs on them to make sure they are okay, and live a long, healthy life, the goal for which all of Malabo APD’s work has been dedi- cated. n
110 • S how S ight M agazine , A pril 2018
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