Aztec and Geordie's litters

Geordan, Georgia, Murphy, Birdie & Sian

After the success of the litter between Aztec and Bailey, I've put Tec to Bailey's niece Geordie (Selcarim Dreamin On).  The extra component in this mating, is that Geordie is daughter of George (Ch Chelport Mr Natural).

June 23 2000

As I'm now working full time, Aztec's owner Sharon has offered to whelp the litter for me.  On the way home from work on Friday evening, I get the phone call - they are on their way!  We live quite some distance from each other, so I see the babies the next morning.  The two Black & Tan boys really stand out, with stunning heads - all three boys are a good size, but one has midline failure.  He has only a thin film of skin over his belly - it is very delicate, and he needs careful handling.

Weeks one to three:  Sharon bathes the midline failure pup regularly, to help his stomach skin grow over.  It has been stitched, in the hope it will repair and become normal, but unfortunately is very painful for the little guy.  The other BT dog is just gorgeous - I wish I could take the litter home, but I'm just not around enough to keep a vigil over Geordie in this delicate phase of motherhood.

Week four:  After many visits, I can finally manage my babies at home!  I feel like a de facto mother, as Sharon has really done so much of the work.  Geordie and her little brood travel well in the whelping box, set up in the back of the car.  She's such a super mum, and is very happy to be home amongst her doggy family.  The little midline failure pup has really struggled, and is significantly smaller than his brothers.  We've been checking for an open fontanel since he was born, but there is no evidence of it.  He just seems to have the symptoms.

Weeks five/six:  This is the hard bit.  Tyson, the midline failure baby, is really struggling.  I just adore the other two boys, but Ty grabs all the attention, as he struggles to feed and suffers some pain after eating.  But he just loves life, is very sweet and cuddly, and so I hope that he can enjoy however much time he has - which he would spend here.  I thought maybe one or two years.  On his 6 weeks birthday, I found the open fontanel.  The vet confirmed hydrocephalus with an x-ray (25% of normal brain matter).  This little guy is not going to last much longer.  Tyson had a lovely weekend playing with his brothers, sunning himself in his "red pyjamas" (bandage used to hold his belly together), and getting lots of cuddles.  He went to God on the Monday.  It was truly one of the most devastating experiences of my breeding career.  But it did leave time to finally pay real attention to the two remaining boys.  One of these is my beautiful Geordan (Chelport Night Fever), featured on the Boys1 page, and the Ruby, "Miller" is a much-loved family companion.

February 25 2002:  Geordan has started off his show career with some wonderful successes, and is just 'my cup of tea' - sound, strong, typey, correct coat texture, wonderful temperament...  So I've repeated the mating.  I'd really like a girl, thanks!!!

First born is a Black & Tan girl!  I'm in Heaven!  She is followed by a Ruby dog and then two Ruby bitches.  All are strong and healthy, and are run on for the show ring.  In birth order, they become C Shadow Dancing (Georgia), C Sunsetter (Murphy), C Shine Shine (Sian) and C Songbird (Birdie) and are all featured elsewhere on this site.  Georgia and Murphy have both recently been successful in the ring and are also in training for Agility/ Jumping, Sian has had babies of her own, and Birdie has recently won several Challenge Certificates!

Thank you Aztec, Geordie and of course, Sharon!