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Serious Inquiries please contact Marie Tabsch
Visitors to Kathrine Baumann's Beverly Hills store are in for quite an experience. Awe-inspiring jeweled handbags designed by Kathrine and made with Swarovski Austrian Crystal take your breath away as you walk around the showroom. Perhaps even more impressive, are the two Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs that have free roam of the store. Beluga & Beluga Jr. are the picture of dignity. The Rhodesian Ridgeback originates from South Africa (Zimbabwe was originally Rhodesia) where they were used to hunt lions. A mixture of the Hottentot African Bush Dog and the settlers' domestic dogs, including the Great Dane, they earned their name for the unique ridge that goes down their back. Animals have played an important role in Kathrine's life, but her connection with the ridgeback was more than that of just owner and pet. " He was my soul mate," says Kathrine of the late Rusty, her first ridgeback, given to her by a friend who had originally purchased Rusty for himself. When the friend saw them together, he knew that Rusty belonged with Katherine and gave him to her. He had never seen two souls closer, and their bond was uncanny. "He knew what I was thinking, as I was thinking it". Rusty was a magnificent presence that commanded respect and every one who saw him whispered, so as to not to disturb the space around him.
Rusty and Katherine shared each other's lives for 6 years; unfortunately his was cut short by Cancer. It was the winter of 1981 and Kathrine had left Rusty with her grandmother in Ohio to do some traveling. Christmas time found her in Aspen with her then fiancée. One night she had a dream that Rusty was sick and died. "I knew if I didn't go then, I might never see him again. If I did, he would fight to stay alive and maybe the dream wouldn't come true," says Katherine. She takes her dreams very seriously and rightfully so. Her dreams foretold her being runner up at the Miss America competition and being dumped by an ex-boyfriend, as well as Rusty's death. Her boyfriend's response was "I can't believe you are leaving me on New Year's Eve for a dog." She responded, "I am not leaving you for a dog, I am leaving you for my best friend who needs me." Kathrine flew all night to arrive the next morning, going straight to the hospital to hold Rusty. On New Year's Day, three veterinarians came in for hours of surgery but it was too late, and her presence didn't change the end of the dream.
"I was heartbroken, crying every night, asking for some sort of sign," remembers Kathrine. About two year later she had an experience and felt Rusty was actually lying next to her as he had many times before. Suddenly she sat up screaming his name, and her hands went to her face. The right side of her face shared his warmth and the left side was freezing cold. She knew he had been there. Later, she looked through the morning paper to find a single ad for a Rhodesian ridgeback puppy. She knew this was her sign. She also knew that Rusty had sent it. Enter the Banker. Kathrine drove two hours to visit the breeder. Two pups were available, but one became immediately possessive, forcing himself between her and the other, just like Rusty had did whenever another dog was around. Her condominium had a 15-pound pet limit, so she told the breeder to give her a few days to think about it. When she called back two days later, the breeder said he had expected her call. Two other people had wanted to buy the pup, called The Banker, but the breeder told them he was sold. He was sure Kathrine was coming back for him because they belonged together. The Banker's grandmother won Westminster and the Breeder's Cup and he had inherited her genes. The Banker was beautiful and reminded Kathrine of Ryan O'Neil in Love Story. She also noted that Rusty had been much more like Julius Cesar. By the time the Banker was 1 year old he understood over 700 words. He had a purpose as companion and a guardian.
The Banker was responsible for selecting her husband Vic Weber, and for saving her life four times: twice from fires and twice from car jackings. In his honor and image Kathrine created the "Ultimate Doggie Bag" which was sold at auction to benefit the ASPCA; animal lover Mary Tyler Moore purchased it. Kathrine credits The Banker with giving her a drive and support when she was starting her company. She laments that he is not around now to share the benefits now that the company is successful. In describing Kathrine I could talk about her undeniable beauty (she is like a star from Hollywood's bygone era). I could mention her warm personality, or the amazing creativity that goes into designing her handbags/works of art. If I have to describe Kathrine, I would say it is her love of animals and her dogs, no!-her companions-that I would talk about. The love that comes through when she talks about them, how she still cries for them, and the connection she made with them (although they may have passed on) have not diminished, but grown stronger. Her grandmother told her she shouldn't have anymore ridgebacks because she falls apart every time she loses one, but Kathrine knows that the joy of having them far outweights the pain of losing them.
Brandy joined Rusty and The Banker in doggie heaven this past Christmas. Brandy and Beluga were being walked by Kathrine's assistant in Beverly Hills, saw a squirrel and ran after it. On the way back, they were hit by a car (the driver only stopped two blocks ahead to check if the bumper was okay). Beluga was more muscular and received cuts, but Brandy's wounds were inside as well as out. She did not make it. Fortunately she lives on through the 11 puppies she had with Beluga (a.k.a. Beluga the Caviar Kid of Calico Ridge). The puppies are happy and see their daddy from time to time. Jack Haley Jr., Hollywood producer and Studio head that produced the famous documentaries That's Entertainment owns one. (His father, Jack Haley, was the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Ironically, he was married to Liza Minnelli whose mom, Judy Garland immortalized the role of Dorothy.) Olivia along with Jack's two other dogs sleep next to him every night. Tippy went to singer Wayne Newton. Newton and his wife, Kathy, also have eight Malteses and many horses in their Las Vegas Home. When Kathrine threw a birthday party for the puppies first birthday, it was held at Jack Haley's home. Wayne and Tippy were performing together in Wayne's Christmas show and since someone in the family had to work, birthday greeting were sent by video from Tippy to her mom, dad, brothers and sisters. In tribute to Rusty and The Banker and all the animals that have touched her life, Kathrine is expanding her animal collections and will soon be unveiling a dog collection in the shape of Retrievers, Ridgebacks, Labradors, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Schnauzers, Poodles and others. Customers can send a picture and have a purse created in the image of their best friend. "Many surprises are still to come," promises Kathrine about her collection, items of which are owned by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Walters, Betty Ford and even the Sultan of Brunei, who buys them in bulk for his entourage. In the works is a purse inspired by children's character "Eloise" in which she is collaborating with jewelry designer Harry Winston, and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta and Christian Dior, among others. Recently, the property were Rusty was buried was sold, and, fearing that bulldozers would desecrate his grave, Kathrine went through the pain of having his remains exhumed. His body was still intact. She plans to have him buried with her, even though it is not allowed. It is a battle that she is determined to win. "People get buried in their Ferraris, so what's so wrong with wanting to be buried with my soul mate?" says Katherine. Nothing I think! It's time for laws to change. The idea of her death does give her at least one chuckle, as she visualizes the scene in paradise when she dies. It's Kathrine in front of her ridgeback brigade. Now that's what I call heaven!
-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, and Barbara Mandrell, among others. He writes frequently on animal-related issues as well as on the entertainment industry. |
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