Page 93 - K9 News - Issue 15 - March2021

Sh Ch Ryanstock Angnetha JW (Anya)
decade. We had begun to take the prospect of
breeding a litter very seriously as we wanted to
keep another bitch to provide continuity for our
line. We searched hard to find a dog that would
complement Feebie, it did not have to be a
champion but needed to meet our requirements.
We found a dog and before approaching the
owner viewed some of his offspring. He was
a young up and coming dog just beginning
his stud work, we satisfied ourselves of his
qualities and a mating took place. By the time
the litter was born in 1984 he had gained his
title. When the litter was born we delivered
three bitches and two dogs and the puppies
were a lovely pale silver with good bone and
back length. One had too much white on the
chest and would be a pet but the potential of the
others we would properly assess at six weeks
of age. Our euphoria was short lived for despite
arguing with the vet that we had not seen one
of the afterbirths and he assuring us that there
was nothing left inside her, Feebie developed
a pyometra three days after giving birth. She
became extremely poorly and the vet could
not operate because of her temperature and
condition. He advised that he see her every two
days, that the pups stay with her but are not
allowed to suckle and we needed to feed them
with a syringe every three hours day and night.
This was difficult, for although Elaine and I took
it in turns through the night we were working,
so Elaine’s mum was drafted in to help with
the day shift. Feebie did not turn the corner for
over two weeks but mothering those puppies
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MARCH 2021
Ryanstock Bramble
kept her going. By the time we arrived at the
six week selection there had been a further
development. Elaine during her night time
feeding routine had been feeding the smallest
bitch with the excessive white and then putting
her in the pocket of her dressing gown whilst
feeding the others, this resulted in her forming
an attachment to the pup. Selection day was
between two bitches which we divided on the
basis of the first being more elegant and stylish,
the both being similarly sound and with good
bone. The dogs we did not think would go to
show homes. Yes, you guessed Elaine asked
if we could keep the pet bitch and of course we
did, she was a great character throughout her
life and was always popular with any visitors.
Later after the owners parted the one bitch
Tasha, which we had sold came back to live with
us once more and it is lucky that she did.
The showing team were depleted at the start of
this decade, after the loss of Ryan, we had Ruke
in veteran, Feebie was out early in the decade
on maternal duties leaving April and Solo to fly
the flag. Elaine and I were still as keen as ever
and shared the responsibilities at the shows.
Solo came out with a bang and won his KC
junior warrant by the time he was eight and a
half months old, you could do that in those days
if you were consistent. April won our first CC in
1985 and was always pushing throughout this
decade but only added several reserve CC’s
to her tally. Solo was winning reserve CC’s by
1985 and the puppy from Feebie ‘s litter we had
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