Today is my beloved Bailey's 9th birthday. Bailey is Hernwood Dream Mirage of Kilnrae JW, RCC. He is nine years old today - although he acts about two!
Bailey is a wonderful ambasador for the Gordon Setter breed. Not only is he a pretty good physical example of the breed, his temperament is expemplary. He came to me from Karen Marsh (who still co-owns him) when he was four years old due to personal problems she was having at home. I'd just lost Bronty (Hernwood Roman Goddess of Billingham) tragically young due to cancer and didnt know where I was going in the dog world. I knew I wanted to change to dogs (I'd had bitches all my life) but partly due to the pain that Bronty's early demise had caused me I was considering changing breeds - in fact literally days before Karen called me I was arranging to go and see a litter of pointers!
As soon as Karen and I had exchanged emails I knew it was the right thing to do. I had known Bailey since he was a few days old when I used to look after the Hernwood boarding kennels - its weird but I can even remember Karen, Neil and her then young family coming to pick Bailey up from the Hernwood kennel - spooky huh? Little did I know that he would spend his latter days with me!
Bailey is also if little used, a prolific sire and even though he has only sired about five litters two of his offspring have been made into champions - a UK champ and a Dutch champ. He now has many successful grandchildren who all seem to have mostly inherited his laid back attitude (not always that common in Gordons) - Harvey in fact is one of his grandchildren and he has this laid back attitude and of course his good looks!
I gave the old man a squeaky toy and a chewy and he's been happy all day - almost as if he knows today is special - but there again Bailey IS special - a wonderful dog, a wonderful companion and a true ambasador for this wonderful breed.
Happy Birthday Bailey - lets hope there are many more.....love yer man!
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