Toni the Canine Vanilla Connoisseur : My Best Friend on the Farm
Toni, a Member of Vanilla Paradise’ Nevis Team
Who is Toni?
Meet Toni, the dog who helps me on my organic vanilla farm in the island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Toni is a Rhodesian Ridgeback female who was born in Switzerland but came on a one way ticket to Nevis when she was 4 months old. Now 2 years old, and weighing 30 kilos, she's a loyal and protective dog who is always at my side, getting involved in all I do around the farm.
The Ridgeback breed are African lion dogs
Ridgebacks are a breed of dog that originated in South Africa. They are known for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty. They are also known for the distinctive ridge of hair that runs down their back and were bred to hunt lions as they have great stamina and tracking abilities.
They are easy to socialize and make good family dogs. I was lucky enough to have a Ridgeback called Toni as a child living in Dodoma in Tanzania and I had always wanted to have one again. I felt it was not possible since I was living an essentially “townie” life in Switzerland, and this breed of dogs needs a lot of exercise. When I came to live and work amongst nature on Nevis, it was the right time to have a Ridgeback once again.
Toni’s Life on the Farm
During the mango season Toni is driven wild by marauding monkeys that try (and very often succeed) to steal these wonderful fruits that grow on my farm. Toni is a natural guard dog so these monkeys know to keep out of her way, if they ever think about munching on the vanilla leaves.
Nevis has other animals who would like to find out how vanilla leaves taste – the goats and wild donkeys! Toni is mostly tolerant of them but they certainly know to give her a wide berth.
Toni is also at my side when I venture into the forest on Nevis to look for wild vanilla plants to propagate. She loves to explore and sometimes disappears if she suspects monkeys are around – but she always comes back, often covered in briars! Luckily, there are no lions on Nevis, but Toni takes her hunting duties as seriously as if the monkeys and other vanilla and mango “predators” were just as fierce!
We occasionally receive visitors to the farm (this is an activity we will launch formally in the near future), and Toni is always happy to meet our guests!
A well-travelled pooch
My partner Patrick and I take Toni everywhere with us, and recently we acquired a special side-car to accommodate her when we go for rides around Nevis on our Triumph bike! This may be an astonishing sight if you live on Nevis! Please wave if you see us!
Toni is a special dog who brings me joy every day. She is a loyal and loving companion, and she is not only my best friend, but also a valuable member of my farm team!
One of my favourite pictures of Toni
