Hibernating with Brittany Puppies

It's a puppy cave in the ATB Treasure House, that's what it is... a place to retreat to, spend time with a very special Brittany and her young pups, enjoy the warmth of the fire burning away in the wood stove, read or write, listen to music, watch a little t.v., rest, or sit and enjoy a cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee while observing the new little family for... for...HOURS!!!  Yes, that's what it is - the puppy cave in the ATB Treasure House. For those who come visit though, the reality is this is just a very small room adjacent to our garage, nothing fancy at all in fact there is really nothing fancy about ATB at all! 

Imagine an old transistor radio with a knob you turn to fine tune AM/FM stations from everywhere set to a Maine radio station that plays music from the 20's and 30's!  Picture a desk phone from the '70s with a curly cord and push button dialing. There is a lo-tech small combo tv/cd player with a 10" screen and an collection of instrumental CD's of piano, new-age, and accoustic music which we bought at the local Dollar Tree. These supplement my collection of Jim Brickman, Enya, Celtic Woman, and Contemporary Worship music.  Our desktop computer remains anchored to the desk inside our home, no wireless laptop here so writing is leisurely done on a yellow legal pad.  The room is furnished with two very well used upholstered swivel chairs carried over from our prior home, chairs which "Hunter" once curled up in years and years ago.

In these days following the birth of these beautiful Brittany puppies all is calm, quiet and still in their puppy cave.  Daily activity consists of loading the wood stove, meeting all of Treasures needs and those of her pups, under her close supervision.  From time to time soft mewing or squeals of mild discontent arise from the neo-natals. Handled once or twice a day at this point, all that matters is their warmth and sustenance as Treasure is their primary caregiver.  Her attention is completely upon her pups although at 6 days old she will now stay out of the box for extended periods of time, although never more than a few feet away.  Treasure and I "woo - woo - woo" to each other after each brief separation but her heart is not in it.  She seems to be patronizing me, being polite the way young children are when accepting an obligatory kiss on the cheek from an elderly relative and then quickly swiping the moistness away. When sitting in the front part I leave the dutch style door open but her choice is to remain near her pups.   As if reading my mind Treasure just stepped back into the whelping box being careful not to disturb her sleeping pups. Gently she positions and then lowers herself down along one side of the box, her full body stretching out without touching one of the babies.  In just a few seconds they sense her presence and one by one yawn, stretch, and turn in her directions, half crawling and scooting to where she is.  Treasure reaches out one leg, extends a foot to gently touch a sleeping pup. Pup responds by sliding up the length of her leg, to first snuggle under his mother's chin and then slips under her elbow to discover a teat filled with milk.  4 pups remain sleeping, 4 have their dinner.  This is their life during the early days. 

Watching Treasure helps me understand the way I feel about each of our Brittanys here.  Treasures choice to be near her pups is not limited to the necessity of caring for them.  She is a wonderful mother with strong maternal instincts, instincts accompanied by the reality of a mother's love for her babies.  Treasure LOVES her pups and they love her.  As a purpose driven breeder - caring for, looking after, and managing multiple dogs is hard work, and requires commitment and dedication. When it is born out of a deep love, respect, and affection though it becomes a desire and a choice to want to be with the dogs.  As surely as Treasure's pups react to her presence when she draws near to them, so is the reaction towards John and I when we are with ATB.  We desire their company and they desire ours. Unspoken needs are met and communicated. 

(This was clear on Sunday when Julie visited with Scooby, Wish, True, and especially with Molly and Rosie.  It's the first time Julie has been here since Jim's passing and Julie and Pam were returning with Pippin.  Julie said before she went home she needed time with the dogs, especially with Rosie.  Our dogs have always loved Julie and Jim, they KNOW her.  And I believe they poured their love out upon Julie during those moments of interaction.  I know they did.)

In these early days the gentleness of both dam and pups is evidents.  In weeks to come it will become more challenging and demanding among the pups. Teeth will come in and weaning must begin.  Cues as to when is the best time will be taken by watching Treasure.  Just like a wise mother knows not to rush potty training because chances are her child will be fully trained when it's time to go to kindergarten  so do breeders know not to rush weaning; it will be complete when pup leaves at 8 weeks. I will follow guidelines but because each litter is different we will do what works best for mom and pups, and even for us. In the days ahead we'll look to see which pup climbs up and over and out of the box. The drunken sailor stage will bring gales of laughter as heads too big for bodies bounce like little bobble head dolls upon unstable, wavering legs. These legs have the ability at an early age to move full speed - full speed BACKWARDS that is!  Running into something results in startled expressions of little yelps!

At some point Treasure will signal to us that the physical needs of her pups will soon rest solely in our capable human hands.  Keeping the 'nest' clean will become our full time job as newspaper and carpet are replaced with shavings.  Weaning will eventually commence and John and I will be feeding the pups 4 times a day, starting with Gerber baby cereal, transitioning to moistened puppy chow, and resulting with feeding dry chow by the time pups go home. Pups will never be completely separated from Treasure until just before they go home. Momma teaches pups things about respect which we could never do. 

But here and now, today is what we have been given and today is what matters most for the puppies and for All Things Brittany.  And today and every day is when ATB get the best of my love.  Thanks for your interest, take care and God Bless - John, Ann and All Things Brittany