We ceased breeding when I relocated to New Zealand in 1996 bringing with me my beloved pet  "SAF Ch Starkenburgh Silver Skyrocket"  by SAF Ch Gavimir Gemsbok (UK imp) x SAF Ch Starkenburgh Symphony, who after 7- month of quarantining (as he went the only route open at that time to New Zealand being 3-months in Johannesburg, South Africa and then 4-months in Sydney, Australia) and at 8 years of age became a NZ champion in straight  shows against dogs a quarter of his age! 

Unfortunately an era and a 32 year old partnership came to a close when in 1999,  at the age of 79 years, my mother decided to retire from Keesdom. 
After 32 years of having only wholly English bloodlines, I decided to start  afresh and  change to American lines.   With failing health, and extraordinary determination to see my new import and  help me with the raising of "Hope's" puppies, my mother flew over from South Africa to New Zealand for a 3-month visit.

In November 1999,  "AM Ch Aurora's High Hopes"  by  AM Ch Aurora's Cousteau x AM Ch Aurora's Chantilly Lace, arrived from America.  She was imported in whelp to New Zealand, from Brenda  McElhaney's Aurora's  kennel in  the United States of America. 

Prior to being shipped, "Hope" had been bred  to "AM Ch Candray Spirit in the Sky"  by AM CAN Ch Keesbrook Believe 'n  Magic x Candray Cordial
and whelped her litter of 5 (3 males & 2 females)  in quarantine kennels in New Zealand. Sadly, 1 male pup died within a few days. 

And so…. STARKENBURGH KEESHONDEN … was reborn on another  continent.