Minerva & Zeus Kelly-Danziger

Minerva & Zeus are a young breeding pair, both bred by me. They are the first pair I've had where both parents were from my pairs! Zeus is an argente golden spot from Adia & Riven, and Minerva is a polar fox or silver nutmeg from Adair & Danziger. Min is registered with the AGS as TDC's Last Dance, and Zeus is TDC's Fifth Age.

Baby Minerva!

Minerva was born on January 16th, 1999 in Adair's second litter. Her sister is, of course, my polar fox girl Mary. She was born in a litter of 7, her other siblings being grey agouti, lilac, dark eyed honey, and white (it was quite a colorful litter!). I immediately had a feeling I was in for another SN/PF when I noticed she had dark skin points but her eyes were lighter than her DEH sibling's!

Zeus has such a little cutie face

Zeus on the other hand was born on January 9th, 1999 in Adia's sixth litter. He had 5 other siblings, 4 of which survived. Two argente spots, an agouti, and an agouti spot.

What a cutie!

These two would have never met and would probably not have become a breeding pair, except fate intervened. I wasn't planning on keeping a breeding pair, but in January of 1999 Gemedet, my sweet lilac girl, and Darwin, her sweet grey agouti mate, had a bit of a "fallout" and Gemi bit Darwin on the nose. There was a fair bit of blood and I decided it was best to separate them than to make them endure an unhappy marriage (Gemedet didn't exactly try to kill him, but who knows it might have escalated). So, I decided to pairs these two up instead. I still wish I could have bred Gemedet, as she's my "special birthday girl" and Darwin is oh-so-sweet, but I must confess I had originally planned on an argente spot x black pair and I love argente spots. Sorry Gemmeister, but you're still my girl ;)

Zeus loves to explore ;)

I first introduced them on February 27th, 1999. They got off uneasily at first. He would chase her around a bit, and she would hide underneath their yellow metal toy. But, by the 3rd day they were together, they were snuggled up in their little "castle" together, happy as two peas in a pod ;) Now they're inseparable. Min doesn't like venturing out without her Zeus by her side. They have to be one of my sweetest, most loving pairs. They're absolutely adorable together!

Little 'Nerva on their yellow toy

Their very first litter was born April 15th, 1999! There were SIX squeaky little pups. They make such great parents. While Minerva was having the pups, Zeus stood by her and groomed her. Minerva went right to work nursing the pups and keeping them warm, and Zeus was quickly welcomed back to the nest to pupsit!

Momma Minerva

The pups in their first litter were absolutely beautiful. 6, all boys--2 argente, 2 grey agouti spot, 1 dove, and one ivory cream spot!

Colorful pups!

Their litters:

Litter #1 - 4/15/99

Of Genetics And Babies....

Zeus is AappC*EEGg and Minerva is AaPpCc(h)eegg. They will at least have agouti, black, argente, lilac, dove, grey agouti, slate, ivory cream, and ruby eyed white babies plus spots. They will all be Ee*g.

Pedigree! (just 3 generations shown here--it's actually 4 generations long tho)