MAINE BRITTANY SITE - All things Brittany

Rest In Peace Louie

2012-01-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

"LOUIE"

January 8, 2011 - January 26, 2012

It is with a heavy heart that John and I, along with Tom and Kim share the sad news that Louie ( Jasmine & Jack’s son born w/ sisters Bella & Molly and brother Remington) was unfortunately hit by a car early Thursday morning and lost his life. This has come way too soon in his young life. Louie was just 1 year old. Our hearts are deeply saddened. A very special little boy who will be forever in all of our hearts. Our deepest sympathies are with his family. As breeders, Tom and Kim always kept us up to date about Louie, from the moment he was born, to his puppy development with them, to when he went home with his wonderful new owners, through his antics the first year, training, achievements, and his first bird just a couple of months ago. We 'knew' Louie very well and loved him. I know the pain we feel however is little in comparison to how his family feels. He will be with many ATB friends at the Rainbow Bridge, this is true but the reality of this loss, of such a young puppy is devastating. Timberdoodle, I know you will welcome him there and introduce him to Hunter, Cinamon Rose Harris, Spooky, Doc, Chester, Jessie, and so many others.... xoxoxoxox

Brittany Birthday Wishes / Just Sayin

2012-01-25T17:02:00.006-05:00

8 Beautiful Brittany Puppies & Their Lovely Mother
(please pause the PlayList before viewing)

One question frequently asked of me is how do I remember the dates and names of our litters of Brittany puppies? It really is quite simple you know. We plan our purpose driven breeding program well in advance, from year to year. As full time hobby breeders, we strive to continue to improve our ever developing line. Typically when John and I make a decision to breed there is an established list of serious inquiries. Long before an actual mating occurs we usually know several hunting families that we will be working with, what their expectations are for a Brittany, and they know who they will be working with. They understand our reason for breeding and how important their feedback will be to us. Eventually, in most situations, a friendship has developed and together all parties involved look forward to the future. As someone said to me recently, it is exciting to know that their new family member will arrive sometime this year. John and I wait with the same level of anticipation as those who will bring one of our very precious Brittany pups into their heart and home. When we have pups we spend a lot of time determining which pup will be the best fit for what family. I do believe when a breeder knows their line inside and out, backwards and forwards it easily could be possible to select a puppy blindfolded though! You'd be surprised though how reliable and accurate the various stages of our puppy evaluations are.

Anyway! John and I devote ourselves to the upbringing of our pups for those first 8 weeks and also work to be sure the awaiting families are well prepared. In that timeframe, we get to know each of the little ones very intimately. Additionally, our lives revolve around our entire crew, for what we do here is a lifestyle choice. Each litter is different, even when a repeat breeding is involved.

I don't always remember to acknowledge the birth date of when a puppy was born. But truly, I can count on someone to gently remind me! I am fairly successful with accuratley remembering the litter names and/or the actual names of our puppies. We only just started naming litters and we're not exactly consistent with doing that. It's a novel idea, sweet, warm and fuzzy but definitely not a requirement. We've tried themes but find it is much easier when John nicknames a puppy at birth based on it's unique appearance. Speaking of John, he really is super when it comes to giving nicknames - that's one of his specialties. Another one of his specialties is making sure each umbilical cord is at the proper length, is disinfected, tied off if needed. He also aspirates all pups at the slightest indication of any fluid in the pups lungs, nose etc. He listens very carefully to their first attempts to breathe.

For at least 56 consecutive days our pups are handled, nurtured, loved, hugged, cleaned and more. Our puppy socialization and development methods are found in the details of our Breeding 1010And it is a labor of love. Why would I not remember? I also connect the wonderful people who come into our lives as a result of our Brittany pups. I remember the stories of how people eventually connect with us. For instance, I remember when Helen came, a referral from several mutual friends, looking for an agility prospect. It was a most wonderful visit and just thinking of it fills my eyes with tears of joy, honest. As someone with years of experience in the sport of Agility and titles all the way to the top she knew what she wanted. I was fascinated with the bag of toys and items she brought with her to test each available puppy. I learned so much by watching her interaction. I knew when she had discovered the best agility prospect by 8 weeks old - that was definitely NOT something I could have done for her. But now I know. When Tenzing went home, there was a wonderful smile on Helens husbands face in addition to her own. And we were blessed to receive a new training book I'd never read, plus beautiful tote bags crafted by Helen, with Brittany appliques! Tenzing has been in active training for agility for 18 months, and now at 2 years old he has participated in his first competetive trials. I hear from others in the Brittany community he has done well. I missed out though on attending his first one. But I will look forward to when I sit outside of the course and see Helen and Tenzing!

Most every pup from a litter has a special story behind them in regards to meeting their new owner. Jim (who has Jersey) was out at a hunting preserve and someone from the club spotted him hunting with Brandi (Treasure/Gibson pup). The gentleman stopped to inquire about where the beautiful liver/white Brittany hunting hard was from. The two men spoke for a moment. A few minutes later Jim called Lori and asked her to call me to see if we had any pups left. We had been holding an orange and white girl for friends but that did not work out. So the answer was yes, we did have a pup. Later that evening I was on the phone with the person Jim had hooked up. I was asking questions, interviewing, and discussing medical care etc. Suddenly the phone went quiet. When the conversation continued I learned that I was speaking with a popular veterinarean in that area who specialized in sporting dog care. My face was a little red. A couple of weeks later we had the pleasure of meeting "Annie"s new parents, each of whom are practicing DVMs. It gets better! A Brittany club in their area had invited the doctor to a member meeting for a special presentation on first aid in the field. Dawn was there and noticed a young Brittany. She inquired of the pup and we all discovered what a small world it is! Annie has turned into an outstanding bird dog. Actually, most of the Brittanys from that litter are actively hunted. (If you've followed the blog you know we cater to the needs of experienced upland game hunters who want a close working (non-field trial) gundog, a hunting family with prior experience living with Brittanys!)

Then there is Max, who enjoys kayaking, mountain climbing and of course bird hunting with his best bud Mark. Mutual friendships abound through the weaving of lives in the ATB family. This includes the networking of professional gundog trainers and others who hook up with us. Such was the case with Mark and Max who ended up working with Grey's Outfitting where the BBW and Boogie spend time. Their owner also is involved with Grey's as a marksman. A sister of the Molly & Jack pups whose birthday we celebrate, Miss Beccah, is living and loving life way up in God's Country in Northern Maine. She actually has an older half brother (Durgin) there. Sometimes our puppy owners let us know that in a couple of years they would be interested in another Brittany. Often they have an older dog. Such was the case with Beccah's owners. Great people to know, and who love their Brittanys.

We never refuse a pup to a family who wants "just" a pet. I believe a Brittany who lives life as "just" a pet is a very fortunate dog and the feedback from their owners is very important! Chase and his brother Remi (a popular name!) are fortunate in this way although their families are very open to bird hunting. We do require ALL of our pups attend basic puppy training and obedience and by the time we've said 'yes', we are satisfied the home is a full quality home.

John just hollared across the room asking 'what are you writing out there?' Well, I tell him that since I've not posted here since New Years, I do have a lot to say! The thing is though, I've not covered any of what has been going on since the first of the month! Guess that means another post should be forthcoming. You'll want to hear all about how our son's new church is going, about how awesome ATB did at recent dog shows, and how we are oh so very close to announcing what we expect in the spring!

Just Sayin'
To know me is to understand how I feel about defining pet quality, dual quality, show quality, hunting quality in regards to pups. Any home that a J&A Brittany pup goes to is first considered a full quality and a top quality home regardless. John and I actively promote the breed as a close working family gundog. Breeding to produce quality gundogs requires breeding according to the AKC breed standard in regards to size, conformation, structure, temperament, coat, movement, etc. While we do not breed with the intent to show a dog from each litter we have, we do breed with the intent that every dog in each litter will hunt well. Without a doubt, there are many Brittanys from our program that either are or have potential to be competetive in the ring. Many of these dogs are spayed or neutered. Speaking of the show side, we are close to finishing 2 Brittanys we have bred. There are others right behind them. Showing is our hobby, secondary to our gundog program. Our ATB family all know this, but when someone mentions they'd be interested in showing a dog as well as hunting I will be 100% behind their effort in every possible way!)

Well, I do have wonderful memories surrounding the arrival and development of most every Brittany puppy that ever was born under our watchful eye. And I could continue to elaborate further about the lovely puppies of Molly and Jack. But it's chilly out here in the office and as I look over my shoulder, I see a couch full of Brittany dogs that looks very inviting and snuggly! I think I must go plop myself in the middle of it after enjoying a hot mug of home made turkey soup prepared by my private chef aka the love of my life, John.

Enjoy the brief video. This was taken within hours of Molly's whelping. The film quality is grainy, taken with my old camera. (Speaking of cameras, I am extremely lost without mine. It was lost somewhere on the Kennebunk training grounds several weeks ago...) John and I were resting on the couch, enjoying just watching the pups and Molly under the heat lamp, the radio playing one of my favorite songs and I was so tired I was singing along off key! But there you are, such sweet dear sweet little puppies of our Molly and our Jack, it is true for you as it is for all of the ATB family - you'll be in my heart, always. I hope you get to have a special treat and toy for your very special day tomorrow. All sweet Brittanys from ATB, young or old, here there or everywhere - you are each loved more than you could possibly know!

Take care and God Bless you always... John, Ann and the Brittany crew here at All Things Brittanys

ATB Celebrates New Years Day

2012-01-01T18:32:00.001-05:00

(Pause playlist music in right column before viewing.)

2012 Breeding Program Information - Brittany Puppies

2011-12-28T12:36:00.001-05:00

We have received several very serious inquiries regarding our next planned breeding, some of which still need to be confirmed. We are using FaceBook, this ATB Blog, and email to touch base with those who we have remained in touch with us. As is customary, we will give preference to active bird hunting families with prior experience with Brittanys. At this point in time we are only planning 1 litter but are accepting inquiries for a waiting list that extends into fall 2013.

Please contact us via the form at www.mainebrittanysitejas.com to confirm or to inquire.

We will announce the particulars once the breeding has occurred. Thank you so much for your ongoing support and interest in All Things Brittany! Take care and God Bless.

Sincerely,
John & Ann Short,
J & A's Brittanys, Acton, Maine

A Special Christmas Gift

2011-12-20T19:59:00.002-05:00

My mum had a green thumb and my childhood home was filled with all manner of houseplants. Everywhere you looked there were houseplants. Upstairs, downstairs, on the stairway landings, hanging in windows, trailing across the wall, you name the place and there was a plant there. I did not have the same appreciation for them as my mother did, at least not at that point in time. Not only where they indoors but mum's plants were outside as well weather permitting. And then during the winter there were plants down in the dirt cellar 'resting'.   Every year she'd bring the dead looking geraniums up from the cellar and before I knew it, they were all in full bloom looking more beautiful than ever. The plants on my dad's graveside were also those of my mother. She had a planter of her favorite plants that she would place there in the spring, take care of it throughout the warmer months, then bring it home to tend during the winter months.

The furniture in our home were primarily all antiques; at least I know they were all very very old as she'd inherited them from her uncle and aunt. The house being a Colonial several centuries old the attic was a delight to explore, just like my mum's bedroom was! Her furniture included a very old Singer treadle machine and on top of that, sat her true pride and joy of all the plants - her Christmas Cactus.

Now I know her cactus and the pot it was in had some age on it. I think this too had belonged to her aunt and uncle. I have a very old black and white baby picture of my mom with this same pot and plant in the background. It blossomed every Christmas without fail for as long as I could remember. She did not often (ever?) move the location of the plant. The temperature and light condition of my mother's upstairs bedroom overlooking the ocean offered the perfect environment. That, and her green thumb, must have contributed to the longevity of her plant long after her relatives had passed away.

In 1988 my childhood home caught on fire. I will never forget the frantic call from my mother in the middle of the night crying that the house was on fire. We drove over in a panic to find the firetrucks there and the firemen working hard to put the fire out which had nearly consumed our home. I didn't know where my mom was and of course was trying to locate her. Finally I learned she was safe and warm sitting with one of her neighbors but visibly shaken. She was almost 70 years old. My niece and nephew were also there and thank God they both got out of the house safely, my nephew helping mum down the stairs. It was a terrible awful thing to go through.

1988 turned into 1989 and in the weeks and months to come the fire damage was assessed and all that entails. Most of that is a blur because my mother also suffered a major heart attack during that time and had triple bypass surgery.  As 1989 drew to a close, I also sensed my mom's time here on earth was doing the same. Mum was so happy when her Christmas cactus blossomed again that year! Evidence that it had indeed survived the fire from the year before, just as she had done. It was the last time however we would see the Christmas cactus in bloom. It was also mum's last Christmas for she died the following month, leaving me with a great big hole in my heart. I found solace though in knowing she was once again lying next to my dad as she was laid to rest by his side, together in the care of our Lord, and I know..."there will come a day."

Life changed as we all know it from that point on. Along the way most of my mother's plants that had survived the fire were moved over to our house as her home was sold. I never had a green thumb but I had a new appreciation for the commitment to my mums plants and truly gave them my personal best. As time went on though, despite the best efforts the plants did not survive. I gave some to one of my nieces who did well keeping a couple of them going for awhile. I did my best with Christmas cactus, learning about it's unique care and waited for it to blossom that Christmas, the year my mother died.

That was 1990. Mum's Christmas cactus never bloomed.  Over 20 years later John and I moved and left the Christmas cactus for our daughter to care for. It was barely alive with just one frail branch trying to grow but she did manage to keep it from dying. And every year we'd all look for signs of blossoming. Mum's Christmas cactus never bloomed with 8 years of our daughter caring for it.

As time goes on lives change, people move, families grow but we all know that the heart still goes on, that love never dies. So much of what happens in our life we are just not prepared for. But somehow we get through the tough times and we rejoice in the glad times. I think a key to peace of mind and having joy in our hearts truly is found by trusting God no matter what. Which is never ever easy. Even more difficult is praising Him in the good times and in the bad. I feel it's important to make a deliberate choice each morning when we get up whether we're going to remain stuck in the struggles of life or instead, rejoice in the blessings around us. For things could always be worse and there are always people whose lives are in much more turmoil. Sometime we can help them, other times we can't. I think there's a good reason to count our blessings, name them one by one. Otherwise it's too easy to take them for granted or lose track of them all together. There's a beautiful song called "Blessings" which would fit in well with what I am sharing here... (I hope you listen to it.)

As I've been counting my blessings this Christmas I am thankful so many things. The love of my wonderful husband, our children and grandchildren; our health is not too bad; we can put food on the table; we have a wonderful circle of friends; we have a roof over our head; our children and their families are doing well; and yes of course our beautiful, loving Brittany dogs. There is the added blessing of knowing our son will begin his ministry this Christmas Eve with his first service, a service which I will play music at. (My mum was a pianist who played by ear and I grew up loving to hear her sing and play!) Last but not least, my nephew has moved back home to New Hampshire after living down south for many, many years which has made me very happy - and even more so because he is a new daddy, with a sweet little son born a couple of months ago. "Eli" is very much loved by his mommy and daddy, and so many of us!!

This weekend Maryann was here and very excited about some pictures she wanted me to see. As I looked at the photographs I could hardly believe my eyes. She was telling me how 'Gram's Christmas Cactus" was in bloom!!!   I stood there staring in disbelief and my eyes began to fill with tears. I couldn't believe it. Maryann knew it hadn't blossomed in the 8 years she had it so she was just as happy as I was. She didn't realize however that it had not bloomed since 1990 when my mother died so I told her the story behind it.

God works in mysterious ways.  After my mom's death so many years ago I experienced a few 'things' that were private and special, but things that let me know our love for each other was alive and well - she just was in 'another place'.

My thoughts are especially sensitive towards memories of my mum at this time of year and understandably so. I'm sure some of 'you' out there can relate. As special as some of the blessings are in my own life right now, these same blessings would be just as special if not more so to my mother. Blessings which I would give anything to have been able to share with her throughout the many years she has been gone. I'm thanking God for this special Christmas gift of mum's Christmas cactus blossoming because I can see the reality of not on His love - but hers too. A simple thing with such great significance for our family. A very special Christmas gift indeed.

We hope you and yours will have a wonderful happy Christmas! Enjoy your loved ones and appreciate what you do have, and make time to see the reality of God's love which is with us - not only at Christmas, but every moment of our lives. Merry Christmas! John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

2011 Family Christmas Music Slideshow

2011-12-17T22:03:00.001-05:00

Christmas Is

(As sung by Regine Velasquez*)

Fireside and winter snow

Lights are on the tree

The world is all aglow again

With all the season brings

And though it comes around each year

The meaning of the season

Sometimes disappears

Oh it's good to be reminded

Christmas is for girls and boys

Trimming trees and Santa's toys

It's Mom and Dad and Gram and Grandpa, too

Christmas is a sacred birth

A chance for home and

Peace on earth

It's everything that we hold dear and true

but most of all

Christmas is the love that lives inside of me and you

Sleepy eyes are open wide and tiny hearts beat fast

To celebrate the morning

Just like every Christmas past

We gather close to family

Embracing all that's been

And all that's yet to be

Oh it's good to be reminded

Christmas is the candlelight

Jingle bells and silent night

Friends from long ago

And friends we've made anew

Christmas is a sacred birth

A chance for hope and peace on earth

It's everything that we hold dear and true

But most of all Christmas is the love that lives inside of me and you

From where it all began

One night in Bethlehem

It reaches out to all of us

Reminds us once again

Christmas is for everyone

The greatest gift of the Father's love

The star that shines on all the world

The light that leads us through

Christmas is a sacred birth

A chance for hope and peace on earth

It's everything that we hold dear and true

Oh, but most of all Christmas is love that lives inside of me and you.

written by: JIM BRICKMAN, REGIE HAMM, MARK R. HARRIS, REGIE GLENN HAMM

ATB: Pippin & Pups

2011-12-07T21:11:00.001-05:00

Hemi and Thistle are showing us all so much potential. There is a deliberate effort on our part to keep the training for the ring and for the field as balanced as we can. When we come back from a busy show weekend (match or otherwise) the first thing we're trying to do is get the pups out into the field and on birds the very next day. The handling classes and the matches have been the training ground for understanding what will be expected of them as they grow into adulthood. Right now it is all about fun and these pups are not going to have any problem in either venue. Hemi and Thistle honor each other now and that is without effort. We are mindful to let the fieldwork remain fun and uninhibited and actually vary the methods being used on any particular outing. Both pupsters have 5 shows and 3 matches under their belts with very significant placements. At 4 months old Hemi even has a fun field trial placement! Hemi won his first blue ribbon in Springfield with competition and Thistle enjoyed her first time in the ring with second place. Pippin, Bullet, and Treasure were also entered in these shows. (I was happy for our friend Lorri who finished her beautiful Brittany that weekend with back to back majors.) But the most encouraging time so far was this past weekend when, at a small show with some competition, they both came home with points towards their AKC Championship titles. Thistle knocked our socks off when she went Winners Bitch (WB) for 2 points, Best Opposite Sex (BOS), and and Best Puppy in Breed on Saturday! Hemi did get Reserve Winner (RW) on Saturday. Then on Sunday Thistle went WB for 1 point, and BOS. That was the day little britches Hemi - won his 1st point with Winners Dog (WD) and went Best of Winners (BOW)! Bullet showed well for Julie and placed in his class.

As exciting and wonderful as these accomplishments were I had a personal best goal for the weekend. I really wanted to show Pippin to the best of my ability on Sunday in the Best Bred by Exhibitor in Breed (BBE). It ended up not being much of a competition with one entry but her breed win opened the door to compete with other sporting dogs bred by their exhibitors as well. Julie was willing to take her into the Sporting Group competition for me but she also encouraged me to give it my best shot. Pippin had given me her "happy tail" and really turned it on in the ring. She gave me 100%. After standing with Pippin along side of the Best of Breed, Best of Winners, Best Opposite Sex, and realizing her two pups won the available points - I was pumped.

Pippin spent some of the afternoon resting and later a final grooming before going back in. There were 6 beautiful entries of Sporting Dogs in the BBE Group. I was going in for the fun of it. Pippin was easy to present as we went into the ring. Her movement felt right on, I was confident as she placed herself leaving very little for me other than adjust a certain spring loaded leg. I remembered how very much I love showing Pippin and it reminded me of taking her mother Chrissy into the ring years ago. My own mobility continued to be somewhat limited but I did my best knowing the presentation is everything. Going into the ring the adrenaline rush was so tremendous, all that mattered to me was Pippin at the end of the lead. She kept looking up at me as we went around the ring as if to say 'is that really you? are you really doing this with me?' and I just kept telling her what a good good girl she was. And when Pippin is happy, it shows and makes everyone is happy! I swear she smiled. I know I was when the judge selected us for a Best Bred By Exhibitor Group 4. A very personal goal has been successfully achieved. Here's to meeting more of them in 2012 on behalf of all of J&A's Brittanys !

As always take care and God bless, thanks for your interest - John, Ann and All Things Brittany

PS Those of you who have been on our waiting list for our next litter, would you please email me privately? We need to reconfirm your level of interest! Thanks!

ATB: 3 Brittanys Demonstrate HONORING each other

2011-12-01T11:04:00.003-05:00

(Pause the PlayList music to the right before viewing)

(Omission to Bullets name... he too is an AKC Junior Hunter!)

I'm always so pleased to capture something raw and natural on film. This is no exception. Julie was here visiting John and I and we all took some of the crew down to the field. It had been a very long weekend of dog shows in Springfield, MA so the dogs (and their owners!) deserved this outing.

I think this video really demonstrates what the word "HONOR" or "BACKING" means in regard to hunting dogs. Bullet, True, Jack were all working together with chukar in the field. Bullet picked up the scent cone and followed it to where the bird was with True and Jack coming alongside. They saw Bullet slam into a point and came up beside him. It was beautifully orchestrated through the instincts within them. We have never had to put a lot of effort into the retrieve/backing training of our Brittanys but of course there is always much room for improvement. Even so, it's the stuff they instinctively do that is so exciting!

What stood out to me the most in this short clip is the direction of each dog's head. They are clearly turned to face Bullet's body while Bullet is looking in the direction of the bird. The only time Bullet turns his head is when John approaches him, as if to acknowledge his presence and to say 'okay, I'm here now what do you want me to do next?'

Thistle and Hemi also had a great outing in the field, they are naturals. We do not believe in pushing them along when we have already seen the evidence of their strong birdiness displayed each time they are on birds. Sassy had a succesful run and ended up finding her birds as did Pippin. John says next year the girls will get their chance to test for some hunting titles!

Hopefully we can keep our Brittanys working right through December and they will all be fresh for whatever the springtime brings.

Working on more photos/collages to share soon. In the meantime thank you for your interest and as alwasy, take care and God Bless you. John, Ann and All Things Brittany

ATB: Thanksgiving Takes Many Forms

2011-11-20T14:35:00.004-05:00

In a few more days we will celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends. We've been slowly but surely shopping for the meal that will be shared as 18 of us gather together around the table. Our traditional Thanksgiving menu usually consists of a large roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, turnip, rolls and pickles. The cooking is always done by John whose father before him always prepared all the holiday meals. The turkey, stuffing, gravy, and pickles are all recipes that have been passed down in our family. There's a secret ingredient for the stuffing and gravy which John sometimes will share with others! Other items we sometimes add to our meal include corn, peas, carrots, and/or sweet potatoes.

Tomorrow (Monday) I will begin making the dough for the pies I will bake on Wednesday. (Speaking of pies, I have just learned our grand daughter Alana will be baking a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!) I make my pie dough from scratch, separate enough for each individual crust, roll it into a ball, wrap in wax paper and let it chill for a day or so. Then it's all ready when I begin my bake-athon. Years ago when my mother in law was alive we would race each other to see who finished their pies first! We lived next door to each other so I'd call her about 6 a.m. and she'd tell me she already had one pie done which motivated me to get going. I miss that friendly competition. Typically I bake the following: apple, mincemeat, squash, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate cream, and pecan.  It usually depends upon how many are joining us for dinner or who may drop by for coffee and dessert later in the day. Another staple for Thanksgiving, also from Nana's recipe box, is Date Nut Bread.  There are many recipes for this however only one of them comes out tasting the same way John's mother's did. And so far, only one other person can make it that way - our daughter Maryann.  (Although one year her husband made it and no one could tell the difference!) Most everyone in the family has their favorite pie. Our son's has traditionally been cherry although he will change his mind from time to time. But again, it was 'Nana' who always baked a cherry pie on Washington's birthday - just for our son growing up. This year he tells me pecan is his favorite.  Cherry pie has also become our son in laws favorite pie. Speaking of pies, I think we have observed each and every grandchild sticking their finger into their own leftover favorite pie long long after adults have left the table. This has been captured on camera.  I must absolutely have all my baking done during the day on Wednesday. Evening comes and the kitchen becomes the sole domain of John.

He has his own techniques and methods. Even with all he has to do there are few ways that I am of help once the pies are made. I will take loaves of bread for stuffing and break them to be just the perfect size then fill the roaster pan with them to dry out in the air. In the meantime he makes an innovative aluminum foil tent for the turkey. It has to be just right. I will often do some vegetable prep but even that must be done a certain, perfect way. Mostly I stay out of his way! Before going to bed however our home has already begun to smell like Thanksgiving. Our turkeys are roasted slower than slow for many, many hours overnight at an extremely low temperature. I love the way it smells in the morning. I also love being a taste tester for the Short family secret gravy recipe. John works diligently to have it taste just perfect and he will not offer me a chance to test it until he's certain it needs nothing more! Sometimes I may DARE to suggest a little more this or a little more that - but mostly it is ALWAYS so delicious - as is the bird, as is the stuffing, as are all the fixings he prepares.

In the past I have suggested we go to a restaurant or accept an invite at a friends for Thanksgiving dinner - only because I know how very hard John works as he puts his heart and soul into this meal. But even when there are Thanksgiving dinners when family and friends wish to gather somewhere else, we will always be found together at our own table. We did have one year when that actually happened. I felt bad for John but he was perfectly happy to simply be where he wanted to be, leftovers and all! I've seen years that he has prepared more than one meal to accommodate others. It's just the way he is.

Sometimes friends and family will bring a dish or a dessert to share but we never expect them to.  When asked what to bring, we simply say bring yourselves and your appetite! It is not a fancy affair here by any means. In past years I have gone all the way by making place cards with names and Scripture verses, glowing candles, beautiful tablecloth with matching napkins and rings, had the finest of our special dinnerware, silverware, and glassware. We have sets of dinnerware and serving pieces that belonged to our parents and I am especially proud of an antique serving platter which belonged to my mother and was in her family. In recent years however John and I have opted for ultra casual, informal, and E-Z clean up and splurged on Chinet plates and paper napkins. Sometimes we simply serve Thanksgiving dinner buffet or cafeteria style! With 7 grandchildren it does make it a lot easier for everyone that way. We are also blessed to have those with the 'gift' of service. By this I mean, our daughter in law and our niece both are extremely helpful with making sure that the utilitarian aspects of serving a large meal does not create any additional work for us, for John especially.

Thanksgiving (and most of our meals) always begin by giving thanks and asking God for His blessing. As the grandchildren grow up it's been meaningful to go around the table and have everyone share one thing they are grateful for. Not to say all the adults all of the time are that agreeable with this, but nevertheless they do it to appease me more than anything. And I like that.

There's so many jokes and TV shows around that really mock the tradition of a family Thanksgiving meal shared together. And the history behind the first Thanksgiving is full of holes and inconsistencies that it is easy to understand why some people could care less. I suppose there was a time in my own life that I looked upon these times with ho-hum, do we HAVE to do this, HAVE to go here or there, do we HAVE to? And it always reminds me of one particular Thanksgiving. The one I'll never forget for as long as I live.

My dad died the year I turned 12 years old leaving my mom a widow at the age of 46. I was too young and naive to even be aware of her grief and mourning the loss of the man she loved, my father. That year as well as those immediately following his death are all blurs as far as I'm concerned and I often coin them all 'the blackest night' but that is another story for another time for it is my Testimony of how I became a Christian. No, it is that first Thanksgiving without my dad that I always seem to reflect upon.

We didn't talk about it that morning. Didn't even acknowledge it was Thanksgiving. My mom had cooked a turkey and I watched with interest as she made several sandwiches and packed them up. Then she announced we were going to go for a ride. I don't remember any conversation at all. I do know it was a cold, breezy November day. We ended up at Old Orchard Beach in Maine, at the pier which was totally abandoned. We sat in the car together and ate turkey sandwiches. When we were done we both got out and walked along the shore together, saying little to each other. I think my brother was still in the service and overseas at the time. My sister and her family were somewhere else with friends. It was just my mom and me and a lonely beach on Thanksgiving. Now looking back I can understand so much about that day. I can even understand why we went to that particular beach because before my parents married that is one place they always enjoyed going together. There must have been even deeper meanings to her to want to share Thanksgiving alone together there in that place. And to this day I just respect her decision to handle her grief in her own way that year so long ago. I also wonder how would I have handled becoming a widow at the age of 46 with a 12 year old daughter.

My mom and my dad rest together in the Lords care as do John's parents. My faith allows me to believe there will come a day... when the circle will be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by.   I now live in the present moment, very aware of the need for family and friends to mark the years that pass all too quickly through these various holidays and times of celebration. These are the times of our life and we never really do know from one year to the next what will transpire, what will change, who will be here and who will not. There is much to be thankful for when we are here and are gathered together, but there is also much to be thankful for when that is not the case. To love, to be loved, to be able to love, to be able to give love, to know love, to have known love - these are among those things we can always be thankful for. Sometimes this is very difficult, other times gratefulness flows free and easy.

This Thursday will be just as wonderfully crazy busy as any other home celebrating Thanksgiving together with family and friends. There will be moments of reflections too for most of us in our own special way, just like my mom had hers that Thanksgiving so long ago. I bet she never thought her actions would impact the way I look at Thanksgiving for a lifetime - but they did, and it is all good. As our family gathers together to ask the Lords blessing, we are also mindful of the many who are not so fortunate for surely, but by the Grace of God go I. I will never take what we have for granted. I appreciate what to me, is the richness of our life found in the simpler things. By the standards of some we have very little. But I am persuaded we have an abundance, especially when I think of others in need.

It's funny because these days John and I are the family 'matriachs' - oh my! And we hope that our family and friends know how much they mean to us, how much we love them and care about all that concerns them. For we do thank God for the many blessings in our life, and especially so on Thanksgiving. Take care and God bless you always, John and Ann and All Things Brittany

ATB: Hemi's Introduction to Dog Shows

2011-11-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

Oh, Hemi! I find that my heart is captured yet once again by a sweet Brittany puppy. And as it feels the chains of love surround it, this heart knows that there are many, many years to look forward to. I can look in any direction from where I sit writing and look into the eyes of our Brittany canine crew. From the oldest to the youngest, my heart is embraced with the reality of living a life - all for the love of the dogs, both given and received. Each stage of development, each new horizon brings an untold joy of discovery. As certain as I am of so many aspects of our ATB family, it is the affirmation of a confirmation which brings satisfaction. Confirmation of what was hoped for, materializing in front of my eyes. Affirmation of the original hope and dream and that all knowing which can only be found in the heart. Bottom line? FAITH. For readers who are not familiar with what is perhaps the most illusive definition of all but which also makes perfect sense it is found in the  Bible, Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV).

And what is the inspiration here? What is the motivation? Simple. Being on the end of a leash, showing little britches at his first dog show. We've been to handling classes together, participated in two matches, and spent the last 6 months bonding with each other on many different levels. As I try to reflect on this past Thursdays show with Hemi, I feel as though I am once again a 'dog show newbie'. Apologies to my friend Karen for borrowing the name of her blog to describe this latest ATB adventure! Speaking of which, it is a great blog and I completely relate to Karen's comment when she says "I was never that great a handler, between lack of coordination and stage fright. My hat's off to anyone who sticks with it." This past Thursday was no exception for me, but Hemi was very forgiving.

Hemi's 6 month birthday fell on the same day as his introduction to dog shows. I entered him in Day One of a 4 day cluster known as the 'Breeders Circuit' in Fitchburg, MA. I wanted to keep the experiences from his handling classes with Penny Cary at Finish Forward Studio, the Penobscot Valley Kennel Club Fun Match, and the York County Kennel Club Fun Match fresh and in front of him. The show entries were minimal with 7 Brittanys to be exhibited, 2 of them would be dogs. Perfect. Hemi and I could go about this in a very calm manner. It was to be all about Hemi.

At 6 months of age, a puppy is still in the middle of various developmental stages especially in regards to socializing. Really, the last thing I wanted was to appear over zealous at Hemi's expense by showing him if he was not mature enough. When I observe pup in the ring that tucks their tail between their legs, back away from the judge, and/or lock up when the handler tries to move them in the ring I know that pup is not ready. The ring is not the place to train a puppy - that's my opinion. You may end up with a judge who is just great to show a very young puppy to. But you may end up with a judge whose technique with pups leaves a lot to be desired. Speaking of showing at the pups expense - is it worth it to take the chance if you do not know the judge in question? Not to me. Yet Hemi was ready. He was actually more prepared than I!

We are down to one vehicle at the moment. For me to travel to Fitchburg meant literally leaving John at home. And it meant that I would load and unload a vehicle I had never used by myself for a dog event. Please don't get me wrong when I say I do not like driving John's truck. It is great for John! It is great for field events and the dog topper is awesome. And I appreciated I even had something to drive. But I like to be very organized when it comes to going to a show. Believe it or not, I do have a routine.

When a show is coming up I print one of several show checklists. I have one for day trips, one for weekend trips, one for RV dog show trips. The list appears on the dining room table the week before the show and I gather things on my list, checking them off as I accumulate the items.  Although I do have tubs, totes, grooming kits etc. always ready to go I still need to go through EVERYTHING to be sure I haven't neglected to put something back in it's place. Not that I need EVERYTHING at the show but you never know when you MIGHT need something. Most fellow exhibitors are happy to share a spritz of their grooming product or offer the use of their favorite blending shears but it's better to be prepared with your own favorites. Wednesday night I had everything ready and packed. Most important of all, I had a beautiful, freshly bathed and groomed little puppy to not only show, but to show off!

Thursday morning! Hemi's 6 month birthday and we were on the road by 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. ring time. Typically I would have driven down and stayed overnight to avoid rush hour traffic but did not have that luxury this time. Not a problem. That is, until I hit road construction about an hour out from the show site. Not to mention the early morning commuters who seemed to ALL be having driving difficulties from my point of view. Coffee. Give me Coffee. ATB runs on Dunkins - especially when it comes to dog shows. Hemi slept comfortably in his crate, right up until the road construction. Then he was sick. He puked. Although he had nothing in his tummy, he was sicker than a dog. Sick as a dog. Whatever. He was sick.

I took the wrong exit in the middle of rush hour traffic. Hemi was sick. Hemi was barking and scratching. I could not get Mandy to cooperate with GPS signal yet I could see we only had 15 minutes to ring time. I've seen frustrated exhibitors rushing in at the last minute and soon, I would know what that felt like. For the first time.

Driving into the already filled up parking lot I frantically looked for a place to unload. There were none. I pulled the truck off to the side, opened up the tailgate and set up an impromptu grooming station. Right there. Little britches was drooling from being sick and visibly shaken. We both were. I contemplated whether it was worth it to try to show him so after getting him cleaned up we went into the building. I would let Hemi be my guide, he would tell me and I would know.

I couldn't believe my eyes when the first person I ran into was Nancy Morabito, who co-owns Chevy, Hemi's father.  She was there with Hemi's competition, a handsome Brittany just needing a couple of single points to finish. Nancy's sister was there too.  I must have looked as frazzled as I was feeling because she and her sister kindly and quickly helped me get my act together. And Hemi? This whole time he's just taking it all in stride and was particularly happy about the cushy royal blue carpet. I know this because he lay down in the middle of the aisle doing a frog dog. Nancy did ask me if I planned to take Hemi's coat off before showing.

There was no time to lose, just as soon as I picked up my exhibitor number it was time to go into the ring.  Mints! I needed mints! They work wonderfully to conceal the hormone that releases the scent of stress. I also needed Hemi's treats which was dried partridge from birds John had shot over the adults this fall. Couldn't find it - too bad - too late - had to go in with dried bits of who knows what. It didn't matter. None of that mattered. I was hot, I was roasting, I was sweating - someone turn down the heat!

Suddenly, the stewards call. "Number 9, male Brittany puppy, 6-9 months." Oh my goodness. This is it. Indeed. It was.

For I looked down into the face of a wide eyed loving sweet little puppy, a puppy who came into my life 6 months ago and soon became mine. A puppy stood there looking up at me, with trust and innocence, just as if to ask me what were we going to do next mom? Where's my treats? Do you want me to stand this way? Or do you want me stand that way? I'll back up for you if that's what you want? I'll even wag my tail if it will make you happy! You know, if you ask me I can speak to you, and sometimes I can make you laugh by sneezing. What do you want mom? Just tell me? I'll do it for you.

With new found pride and new found joy we went into the ring as a team that understood each other. Hemi was not aware at all of everything that I felt had gone wrong. All Hemi knew was that we were together, doing something familiar to both of us yet in a brand new setting. And he liked that royal blue plush carpeting I was walking him out onto. I half wondered if he might just spread out and make himself at home.

The time in front of a judge is very brief but the concept of how long things actually take to happen become quickly skewed and distorted. No matter how often I visualize what is supposed to take place, my mind often draws a blank when I'm there and it's as if I have never shown a dog before!

With just one entry in the class, the judge only seemed to glance at Hemi when we went in and I never really had a chance to set him up properly. That's probably just as well, I knew he'd only stand still briefly and I needed some capital to work with!  The judge motioned to me to take him around the ring. He looked up at me as if to say "I've got this covered" and off we went.

Hemi reminded me of handling his grandmother at the very first show I ever participated in, almost 5 years ago now. Chrissy taught me about a Brittanys movement the first time we gaited around the ring. Translated this means Hemi amazed me. I quickly began to let the length of his lead out more and more so that by the end of the run he was out in front of me nearly on a loose lead. Wow. This was like power steering. No pressure. No dog in front. No dog in back. But he has moved with many other dogs in matches and in classes.

So now it was time for the judges exam. Dear Lord, please let Hemi remain still for this. Little britches gave me my window of opportunity to work with him. I began to count to him just like I've been doing at home practicing a hard stack. I've heard that you should be able to set up a dog in 5 seconds or less. I don't know if that's true for a puppy but we did it! And the judge was in a hurry to exam Hemi.  I presented him to the best of my ability and he made eye contact with me while I told him he was being a good boy.

I learned that there are some dogs that like to be able to see you when the judge moves down their body to feel them, after looking into their mouth. By the way, Hemi had no problem with having his bite checked. I do prefer to lift the gums of my own dog and show teeth - it bothers me to think of the judges hands going from mouth to mouth when there are many dogs in a class.  After checking his bite I slowly moved from his side to the front where I could very gently cup his muzzle, praise him softly,and scratch his chin while the judge felt him all over and under. He didn't mind having his cookies examined to be sure there are two.

Hemi's judge asked us to come into the middle of the ring and instructed us to go down and back. Well, this was a little different. Half way down Hemi decided he wanted play and gallop. Rather than try to correct him I simply stopped and caught his attention. When I had his focus again we continued on just fine. Turning around, I walked with my back to the judge, keeping Hemi's attention until I knew he was on track again. I was basically playing with him. As Hemi and I approached the judge the 'Go see!' training from Penny paid off. Hemi focused now on the judges face and seeing she had a friendly face decided to get up close and personal, happily wagging his tail. Hemi won his first blue ribbon for that!

Then it was time to compete for Winners Dog and for the point. I'm being realistic when I say I had no great expectations for my Magnificent Obsession to defeat a seasoned show dog with all his major points. Nancy had been kind and said earlier well you never know!   I did know. Not to mention once again I had a good case of nerves because I went back into the ring and headed to the wrong spot with Hemi!

Even so, I was very proud of Hemi and it was really nice to be able to share his first show with Nancy. That was an unexpected surprise and blessing. The dog she was handling won the point. And little britches? Well he won Reserve Winners. I enjoyed showing him, and he showed himself very well!

It was great to hook up also with Phil Thayer at the show. He has a lovely year old liver and white girl who should do well. If you know our dogs, you know there is a lot of Birch Spring Brittanys behind them which is Phil and Sherri's line. I'm glad to see them showing again. He and Nancy go way back with their dogs. It was especially enjoyable to listen to their recollections and talk of Birch Spring glory days in the ring.

Last but not least there was time to spend visiting with friends Kim Zuk and daughter Cindy. Kim's recovering from knee surgery and I really felt bad for all she's going through. My prayers will be with her in hopes of a speedier healing. Cindy showed their beautiful Beagles. We talked about the pups that Jasmine just had which are out of JackDog. I said hello to several others, wished Linda and Kristen good luck at the upcoming Nationals and gleaned some grooming tips from Nancy. It was a pleasure to meet her sister who really gave me an extra hand when it was well needed.

Headed home only to drive in the pouring rain. The truck was an experience and we did get home safe and sound at the end of the day. Hemi's treat was a big long Bully Stick. I like to get those for the dogs at the shows because it helps keep them content in the crate where a lot of time is spent out of necessity. He chewed on it all the way home until he fell asleep.

Okay Hemikens...little britches... Magnificent Obsession. I am indeed once again and as so often (always) is the case, I am smitten. But we already knew that didn't we.

As always, thanks for your interest in All things Brittany. Take care and God bless you and yours! John, Ann, and our fun loving canine crew.

ATB: John's 1st Moose Story

2011-10-30T20:43:00.003-04:00

I'm not writing from a hunter's perspective as I tell the tale about the first moose John has ever shot and killed. I weave a story from the perspective of a wife and mother, who did not grow up in a hunting family but, as a grown up, became part of a hunting family. It was at my father in laws side that I first learned how to shoot a gun, it was with my husband that I went on my first deer hunting trip (in our back yard in Eliot, Maine), and it is now as a grandmother I see the Short family tradition of hunting continue.

A native of Maine, John has put in for the moose lottery since it first began on July 15, 1980 (see article).  Quick calculations determine this means he entered 31 times. So for 31 years our family waited for the drawing to take place, only to learn time and again his name was not drawn. Shooting his first deer at the age of 16, he has hunted every year with family and/or friends. Very often he didn't even have to leave his back yard of 11 acres, or surrounding properties. He hunted in a time when posting property was not a common occurrence but knocking on the door to your neighbors house to ask for permission to cross their land was. Speaking of family, friends, and neighbors I just heard from one of John's best childhood friends who lived across the street from him. 'Jerre' told me his mother, who still lives there, really appreciates how our son John Jr. follows the same etiquette taught to him by his dad and grampa.

John and our son have traveled twice to St. Johns Bay, Canada on a group Caribou hunting trip together organized by John. Each of them were successful. They've also hunted big deer together in Illinois. Our son has traveled to Illinois, Michigan, and Anacosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence all for deer. He and his wife went on a moose hunting trip together to Newfoundland where he shot his first moose. (We babysat the two girls pictured above in their hunting gear who were just toddlers at the time.) As any parent knows you have to be fair in recognizing the talents of each child so suffice to say our daughter Maryann has also carried on the Short hunting tradition in the past. She shot her first deer when she was just 16 as well. John has also enjoyed introducing our son in law David to hunting and they have gone together a couple of times locally.

I'm well aware of the anti-hunting campaign and also respective of people who just would prefer to enjoy their wildlife through photographs. But I'm also personally aware of how much shooting a deer or other game helps any family during the winter months. It's also much healthier for you - how much more organic can you get?!

In Maine, you can apply for the moose hunting permit as early as January with the deadline sometime in May. This year 3,205 permits were to be allocated in the states 28 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). This was an increase of 65 permits from 2010. Each WMD has a 'season date' to hunt. There are areas which are more desirable to hunters. And there are areas which are not. But the chances for getting drawn for a more desirable area are much slimmer than that for others. John knew this so he selected as one of his choices WMD zone 15. A zone where only 25 permits would be drawn. A zone whose furthest boundary was less than a 2 hours drive from home.  And it was the luck of the draw that gave John his very first opportunity to hunt for a moose in this zone.

The drawing was held in the middle of June at Cabala's. Staci & Jessie, friends of our son and present at the time of the drawing, were the first to hear John's name had been drawn and let us all know. AWESOME news and one very happy husband and family.

It's really neat to think of how everything came together. We know a lot of folks in the area and there are often reasons for spending time in zone 15. But to the best of my knowledge it certainly wasn't known for a large moose population.  The day quickly approached, gear accumulated on the kitchen table, guns were sighted in, new ammo purchased, and more.  As John had not named an alternate it was to be a solo moose hunting excursion. Lots of tips and advice were discussed with friends and family including a road trip or two through the area prior to the date.  Just days before John was to hunt, a chance meeting with a friend of his brother (Fred) afforded what would prove to be extremely timely tips and advice.

Not a morning person. But you all know that. John however is and always has been - and especially so when it comes to opening day, an opening day that was for Maine residents only. (BTW - we are not in favor of keeping the Maine resident's only opening day but that is another story.) Through my sleepy haze I was aware that John was leaning over to kiss me goodbye before he left. I told him to be safe, asked him if he remembered this that and the other things, and told him I loved him. It was about 4:45 a.m. (Never leave your loved ones without telling them you love them - never, ever...)

John is a man who wakes up ready and raring to greet the day, to tackle it head on. He is also always ready with a joke or to tease an unsuspecting victim. Sometimes I appreciate it, other times I don't. And often I can't tell the difference. He is THAT good. The phone rang shortly after 7 a.m. and when I heard John's voice on the answering machine I scrambled out of bed, displacing the Brittanys there with me.  He was saying something about his moose hunt being all over and I couldn't figure out what he meant.  I did not know if he was simply teasing. I kept saying 'what?! - what?! - really!? - no kidding?!'

John had arrived at the hunting spot he'd decided upon and remained in his truck catching a brief nap before the allotted time for hunting. When it was time he quietly got out of his truck and headed to the back where his gear was stored. Suited up with orange, armed with his gun, he slowly turned and was surprised to see several large figures moving in the distance. Adjusting his eyes to the light he drew up his gun to get a better look through the scope. And sure enough, there was 1 large bull, 1 large cow, and 2 smaller yearlings. John moved closer to get a better look and walked very slowly. I can only imagine his heart must have been pounding out of his chest ! I wasn't there in that moment but I can feel what it must have been like for him - after all these years of waiting, and because of all the times he'd hunted with his father, with our children, with his friends, and yes even with me. How awesome a moment in time for John, one that he will remember for the rest of his life as will I.

John's a safe hunter and would only take a clear and clean shot without risk or chance. And that's exactly what he did. One shot, behind the shoulder and he thought he saw the big one disappear from sight. John continued to watch the others. There was little reaction in the animals, the two younger ones seemed to be playing and the cow just kept on walking, watching John. As he continued to approach the area where the bull was last seen something BIG caught his eye and sure enough, it was the rack of the bull moose that John had just shot, lying on it's side.

After John's wake up call that his moose hunt was over I reached my son on his cell phone. He was already out in the woods in Eliot with his two oldest daughters. He answered his cell in a whisper 'ma... did he get one?'   For some reason I also whispered and responded softly 'yes, he did, he just called.' So that connection was made. My next conversation was with John's brother - we were both ecstatic. Then John and I touched base a few more times and he let me know what was going on. He had reached his brother's friend and it is here a shout out to the Dunnel family is warranted.  This Maine hunting family was all geared up for a day of deer hunting together and ready to head out. When John contacted them to let them know he had shot his moose they immediately offered to come help. This was unexpected. But they quickly showed up with their 4-wheeler and trailer. They all worked together to drag and load the moose so John could transport it to the tagging station and then bring it home. That is kindness and generosity one does not expect - thank you!!

During this time our family was talking back and forth, making plans and happily sharing the news about dads first moose - woo hoo!   John jr. and his family came over to our house to wait for the arrival of John and his moose. When I saw his truck pull into the driveway I couldn't believe my eyes. The first thing I did was race up to my husband and give him a great big congratulatory hug and kiss - and I had tears in my eyes... really. I was just thrilled for him. (The animal was beautiful, and I would be lying to say I do not experience a sadness to see such a majestic animal like that however thinning out the moose herd is necessary and putting food on the table is too.) I was happy to see John's brother Fred pull into the driveway. (Maryann was very excited for her dad too but she was where she needed to be for her family and fulfilling Saturday commitments with her kids and her husband David.)

It was a full day for all of us but especially for John and his moose. Plans to have the meat cut and prepared by family and friends fell through due to the Nor'easter which left nearly 2 feet of snow on the ground and power outages everywhere. John's moose hung for a day and was then transported to a local cutter. He weighed in at 706 lbs., his rack was 47" wide with 17 points.

One of the things that Maryann and I have commented on together was how much this would have meant to her grampa, which was John's dad. The Shorts have always been a close family, long before I married John. They have been a family of pride and tradition, of hard working men and women, people with strong values and with strong opinions. Folks with good hearts and giving ways. I see it carried on in our son and our daughter. And hunting is as relevant to them as breathing. It's just the way it is. Maryann and I reflected on how her grampa must have been looking down with so much love at John, and especially at seeing both of his sons together. I know how much it means to me when I see our whole family together, and maybe that's something to pass along as well.

REFLECTION
Things are changing in our world. And sometimes you just have to get back to basics, whatever that happens to mean to you as an individual. I know for our son that means returning to the same woods where he once walked not only with his dad, but also with his grampa. He was like a little Daniel Boone when a little kid - and more than once I opened a skillet to see 'some' kind of local small game simmering, usually thanks to grampa. He and Maryann use to play make believe hunting, and they would craft bows out of flexible willow branches and baling twine. The stories go on and on. Sometimes you have to go back 'there'.  Speaking of which, most every fall our son returns to his first hunting grounds, sets up a tree stand and is there early in the morning on to wait and watch. Most often he is successful. And now he brings our grandchildren there. I have to say I really was blessed to learn he still asks the neighbors permission. As Maryann suggested grampa was looking down and smiling about John's first moose yesterday, I wonder if our son John somehow senses a similar thing about grampa when he returns to hunt in Eliot. Anyway, these are the things a mother tucks away in her heart. Things I value and treasure. I'm glad my daughter and I share a sensitivity to all of these family memories and reflections with each other.  And by the way, it was on our sons birthday when his dad shot the moose.

We'll be looking forward to enjoying the "back strap" and the tenderloin from the moose. Afterwards, my recipe books of game will be taken out of the cupboard again! I can't wait.

Thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany, and as always take care and God Bless. John, Ann and ATB

ATB: First Snowfall / It's Rosie's Day (Video)

2011-10-28T12:10:00.001-04:00

This morning's view from our deck.

By the time we let the dogs out before going to bed last night the snow had started to fall. The weather report had called for a light snowfall but when I discovered it was snowing it was coming down rather heavy. Although the weatherman said it would not linger on the ground full evidence remained when we let the dogs out this morning. And here it is now 11:30 a.m. with the sun brightly shining and both the front and back yards still have snow. I'd go so far as to say there was about 2 inches total last night. From what I've heard today, apparently there is a storm forecast for the weekend.

One of the joys of snow falling is the fun that the dogs all have playing in it. Especially for those who have never encountered it before. 9 month old Nova is visiting us from Connecticut so she and 5 month old Hemi had a blast this morning. (Nova you may remember was from the litter of pups born in a blizzard back in January, on the birthday of our grandaughter also named Nova.) It's no secret I am not a morning person so it was actually John who took the photo above as well as several others when he got up. He wanted to capture some first snow pix especially of Nova to show her owners. I created a brief slideshow and uploaded it to Facebook.

I awoke to the sound of happy barking dogs and peeked out the window to discover the entire ATB crew running like a group of playground kids at recess in the snow. They were racing around, circling the house in much the same way a group of wagon trains would do in days gone by. I thought it was so funny and imagined they were trying to wake me up in an effort to come out and join them but in reality they were focused on other things. So much for my pride.

Last night I had a little snowball fight outdoors with Hemi and Nova. Hemi actually seemed quite puzzled by the white stuff and kept asking to go back outside. Nova is like her mother Treasure and they both took off together leaping with glee through the air like a graceful gazelle. Jack is like 'oh yeah, ho hum.' The older dogs this morning however love love love the snow and winter is a really fun time for all of them. You see John, in as much it is a LOT of work, always plows and snowblows around the entire yard. He actually MAKES trails for the dogs so they can run and not get stuck in the deeper snow. It helps them to stay warm because as they exercise in the winter they also get the snow stuck in their toes and coat. With having the packed snow to run out it makes life much more enjoyable for all concerned. But hopefully we are not even close to times like that although it has been a very happy morning as far as the dogs are concerned.

Especially so for Miss Rosie. Her calendar indicated that it was time for her to go bird hunting with John. She's a very serious hunter, stylish and impressive. I identified her as a hunter when she was about 4 weeks old. Remembering advice from Frank Pride about observing very young pups I knew she had the right stuff. While the rest of the pups were busy with each other or with their mother, Miss Rosie was all about exploring every nook and cranny that she could possible reach. In the beginning we were going to call her J&A's April Rose (being born in April). But when her personality began to emerge we saw what reminded us of the Ever Ready Energizer Bunny... and her name became J&A's Ever Ready Rose. And she is always just that.

Fate was not kind to Rose and I have written more about this in depth on the post entitled 'Reflections of Spaying Rosie'. Rosie is truly a special needs Brittany and her passion for life probably exudes that of all of our other Brittanys combined. I feel so connected to Rosie, in a way I cannot describe. And so do most people who meet her.

So today it is Rosie's day here!! A day from beginning to end where she will be in the fields with John. She will return totally exhausted and spent, but she will be riding high on the thrill of this very special day. Will there be birds? Who knows! I know she'll hunt hard and fast and she will give it 100%. And she will be smiling. Yes, she smiles. Her heart will beat out of her chest with joy. Her fatigue will be an enjoyment in itself for it comes from hard work. And she's in good shape. She has been part of the field training all summer and into the fall. Every day here with Rosie is special, she's a part of everything we do. But as any multiple dog owner knows, one of the greatest gifts we can offer to the dogs we love and share our life with - is that one on one time exclusively reseved for them. Each of our dogs know how it feels when it is their turn to be John's personal gun dog for the day but I believe Rosie appreciates it more than any of them.

Days like this make me so happy I could cry. I love each and every Brittany in my life, they all bring something so special and wonderful to us. They all stand out in their own right. And then there is Rosie. My big beautiful fun loving Rosie whose purpose in life is simply to make me smile. Something she does quite easily. She's patient to a point, willing to yield right away to daily needs and necessities but she is never willing to be taken for granted.

Forever an important part of our Brittany Canine Crew, my sweet little rosebud is having the time of her life today and I couldn't be happier! Thanks for your interest, take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany!

J & A's Brittanys 2012 Breeding Program Update

2011-10-26T23:38:00.002-04:00

Because we are "All things Brittanys" and NOT all things puppies I thought it would be nice to share this updated information. While it is not earth shattering news I hope it's helpful to those of you who support our efforts here at J & A's Brittanys.

This is typically the time of year we receive the most inquiries for upcoming litters of our Brittanys. Most often those of you who contact us already know exactly what you're looking for and are ready to wait with us for an indefinite amount of time for the perfect 'fit'. And you soon learn that as important as it is for you to find a reputable, ethical, and experienced breeder - it is even more important for us to find the perfect families for pups we are responsible for bringing into the world. During the waiting period John and I so enjoy a chance to get to know those who will probably share their life with a future J&A's Brittany puppy. You get to learn more about what we're all about and we get to know more about you. (There are no puppy parties here where a group of people come on a given day to select the pup of their choice. Sorry about that, look somewhere else if that's what you want.)

Most often our purpose driven breeding program (close working gun dogs for active families) includes plans for winter pups. We know that bird hunters enjoy bringing a pup into their lives early in the year so that their summer can be spent getting that pupster on as many birds as possible. Those who are involved with field trials also very frequently prefer a pup during that time frame so they are old enough to get their hopeful prospect into both spring and fall puppy braces and it works out well for derby age dogs too born in this time frame. But the fact of the matter is - the perfect time to bring a pup into your lives is when much planning and foresight has gone into your decision. And for all of us, this can be very different. (We only have pups available occassionally, we do not breed our girls at every heat, and the most important thing - our dogs are part of our family - they are not commodities. If you are looking for a breeding kennel, you should not be looking here!) I think it's important to stress the fact that we're not in BUSINESS here, we are hobby breeders and even though the DEMAND for our pups may be strong at certain times of the year we will not compromise our ethics or values to meet that desire for our pups. We're not 'profit minded'. If you're not familiar with our program you can download information about it here.

We anticipate our next litter of pups will be planned for the spring of 2012. We do have additional plans for moving forward into the future that are exciting and positive while we currently remain busy with All Things Brittany right here and right now.

Soon we will be emailing our updated "Serious Inquiry" waiting list out to those who are on it. We'll be asking you to let us know of your ongoing level of interest. Additionally, you'll receive all of our updated information. If you do not have a questionnaire on file with us, we'll ask you to complete that. And so on and so forth. Everything is fully explained and in writing. We don't want anyone to have a bad experience with 'verbal' agreements.

In the meantime, we are awaiting the arrival of a litter over in New Hampshire sired by Jack. This is the repeat breeding that produced Bella and Louie among others, young pups who are not only being hunted over this season but who have already received several qualifying scores towards their AKC Junior Hunter title at the age of 9 months (including a perfect score of 4, 10s!) Jasmine and Jack's pups are due the first week of November. Tom and Kim Zuk of Barnstead, NH are the breeders, they are friends of ours and we are very proud to recommend their soon to be born pups if they are not already spoken for. The pups from the other 2 litters of Brittanys which we have suggested with pups sired this fall by CH Hills Blazen' Jac (our Pippin's sire) are either all spoken for or already in their new homes.

Brrr! It's chilly tonight. John cleaned the chimney and the Yodel woodstove we have. We have several cords of wood stacked outside, the porch has been enclosed and there is wood stacked there for easy access in the days ahead. We heated our home exclusively with wood last year and the furnace was used rarely. And then there is the pellet stove that keeps the dogs' house warm. I'm hoping to take out the infamous love seat down there. You may remember that the cushions met their fate when I stepped out briefly leaving the then two youngest clowns to their own devices, returning to several inches of shredded foam? Never mind, that's another story. Anyway, I'd like to be able to open that area up again yet still have a sitting area like before. The dogs like having a piece of furniture to call their own of course, one that will accommodate their needs for comfort and mine at the same time. And so on and so forth - you see the all have their own preference whether here or there. What matters most to me is their happiness. When they are happy I am happy. And come to think of it, that works both ways. So we're all really very happy most of the time. One thing I love about the coming cold... I love hibernating through the winter months with our motley crew of Brittanys and wouldn't have it any other way. Take care and God bless and thanks for listening to my ramblings. We are - John, Ann & All things Brittany!

ATB: Hemi's Page / Saturday Night Pheasant Fry Menu

2011-10-24T17:06:00.000-04:00

Hemi's Page
One of my many writing projects for this fall is the annual revision of our J & A’s Brittanys website. A lot of updates have been made already including new 2011 photos for the actual hunting dog gallery, with plenty of room left to add more. As the update continues I’ll revise individual profile pages to be sure they are current. There will also be a brand new page for our puppy, Hemi.

He’s almost 6 months old and when I asked John what came to mind when it came to describing Hemi he replied Hemi is a little “pain in the… !” That wasn’t quite the response I was looking for so I pressed my husband to be just a little bit more specific - although I will agree with his initial reaction!

Here’s what else John said about Hemi: “He is very determined when it comes to finding his birds, especially for being less than 6 months old. We have watched him several times come across the scent and then work it right up until several feet away from the bird which he will then hold point. Flushing the bird for him and shooting a blank gun he still would like to chase the bird but of course he is just so young. We see a lot of good qualities in Hemi and he seems to be very smart, a fast learner and willing to please. I think that’s pretty good for a puppy his age!” So do I.

Because of Hemi’s age it is a little challenging to profile specific and measurable goals but John has done a great job laying a good foundation with little britches in the field. I’m doing my part in preparing Hemi for his very first dog show as past blog posts about him will indicate. As I build Hemi’s ‘bio’ page each piece of information and all the tidbits will help showcase what this little guy is about - or what we ‘think’ he is about!

In a nutshell his socialization is ongoing as it is with all of our dogs, especially the pups. Every opportunity to try something new, meet new people, or have a fresh and unique experience is given to him. And most of his practical training actually takes place in our home as normal every day life happens. Multiple dog families have unique challenges and we are no exception. I do not want Hemi to rely on the other dogs for his entertainment and certainly not for his training. He needs to look to me or to John for direction and approval. This isn’t always easy. And it’s very important for Hemi to have time alone without other dogs whether indoors or outside. He’s doing well in all of these areas.

In August I ran Hemi in a fun trial for Northern New England Brittany Club members only. He was just 3 months old so the only expectation I had was to walk the entire brace and that he would not run away from me. He didn’t let me down and has a 4th place win in a fun field trial! That will be part of his bio. We participated in handling classes under the expertise of Penny Cary at Finish Forward Dogs in Scarborough, Maine where he did really well. He was exposed to a variety of dog breeds of different shapes, ages, and sizes. Lessons included how to be prepared for handlers who will intentionally run up on another dog in the ring or other un-sportsmanship gestures. We’ve been in two official AKC sanctioned fun matches and he has ribbons for Best of Breed, Best Opposite Sex, Puppy Group 2, Adult Group 4, all with competition, including a brother Magnum and sister Thistle.

I am so not in a hurry to rush the process. Hemi is fast approaching the magic age of being old enough to enter a real dog show to compete for championship points I’ll be watching him closely. Not every puppy is ready for the demands of showing at an early age, and I quite frankly just have no business plan or personal agenda in place to put showing dogs first in my life. I do enjoy the social aspects of showing, the time spent with good friends, getting away and having fun. Having said that, I will look forward to building Hemi’s page around the few events we plan to participate in with him and with his sister Thistle. There are several other in his litter who may join us in time. There’s no rush to fill in the pages of their lives in such a way. But I do anticipate what will eventually be written will be quite magnificent to say the least. And that is a fact.

One more thing from John for Hemi‘s page: At 5 months Hemi ran out into the field, came back and barked at John 3 times, then ran back out and held his point while John flushed/shot 3 birds over him which he then retrieved. Pffffffttttt! (To know John is absolutely to love John - and I do!)

What's Cooking at ATB?

Saturday Night Pheasant Fry

8 pheasants dressed out and deboned - soaking in ice cold water to which salt has been added
3 tbs crushed, dried garlic
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
2 tbs flour
Salt, pepper
Dip boneless pheasant in a bath of eggs and milk. Coat in mixture of above. Pan fry in cast iron skillet with olive oil.
Cook thoroughly until done. Drain and serve.

Oven Baked Potatoes
Thinly slice 8 washed, unpeeled potatoes
Arrange on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt & pepper, drizzle with olive oil
Cook in 350 oven until golden brown
Serve with molasses or ketchup

Green Beans in Milk
Cook 3-4 cups of fresh, canned, or frozen green beans until done
Drain water
Add 2 cups of milk, pat of butter, salt & pepper
Heat until milk curdles
Serve

Green Tomato Pickles, Sweet Bread, Gingersnaps
Hot Tea

Hope you enjoyed this post, and as always thanks for your interest! Take care and God bless you and yours - John, Ann, and our wonderful canine crew

ATB: Brittany Gun Dog Training / Nova 9 Months / Hemi 5 Months

2011-10-19T16:13:00.004-04:00

Pause music on PlayList to the Right.

ATB at York County Kennel Club 2011 Fall Match

2011-10-17T23:03:00.003-04:00

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Annual York County Kennel Club Fall Match

Finish Forward Dog Training Studio in Saco, Maine.

Congralations to Julie Harris and Thistle for winning:

Best of Breed

Puppy Sporting Group 1

Adult Sporting Group 4

Hemi was handled by Shania Hersey and together they were Best Opposite Sex to Thistle. Although Thistle and Hemi were the only Brittanys there to represent the breed Miss Thistle (the pistol) after winning BOB then went on and competed in the Puppy Sporting Group with an Irish Setter, Golden Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, and a Black Lab - winning this class with style and attitude! Thistle went on further to compete in the Adult Sporting Group, placing 4th out of 5!!

This makes two very successful showings for this now 5 month old brother and sister team out of Chevy and Pippin at Maine dog show matches and we're looking forward to the pups being old enough for actual dog shows! Their field training is of course ongoing as well.

Congratulations also to Hemi's friend from handling classes, a beautiful young Newfoundland pup who went home winning best of most everything at the show! And a congratulations as well to Annie (Aussie) - who won a Group 1 handled by Shania's grandmother!

Treasure & Gibsons Pups - 2 Years Old

2011-10-10T10:54:00.007-04:00

"Pause" playlist before viewing.

OCTOBER 11, 2009

In recognition of the 2nd birthday of True, Brandi, Boog, Kasper, Remington, Jersie, Millie, Casper, Riley, Patches, and Rugby I thought it would be nice to share this amazing video one more time. Personally, I never tire of watching it and it's really neat to know that it has now been viewed on YouTube over 3000 times. Enjoy this video - I never could have dreamed it would be enjoyed by so many outside of our ATB family.

Perhaps you are seeing this for the first time and are not familiar with the story behind it. It is really self explanatory and some narration text is offered on the clip itself. This is as amateur as it gets when it comes to making a video and it was made with a very basic point & shoot digital camera, a camera I just happened to have in my pocket.

The pups were about 5 weeks old, simply outside discovering the great outdoors. Weather permitting all pups from our breding program here are absolutely introduced to birds regardless of whether they will go to a hunting family or not. 9 out of the 11 pups in this litter not only went to hunting families, but are currently enjoying their 2nd bird hunting season this fall. John had returned from a successful pheasant hunt and dressed the birds for me. We often save the feathers etc. Such was the case this day.

Treasure, mother of these pups, has an amazing nose and strong prey drive so it didn't take her any time at all to locate and then steal the tail feathers from John's bird. It was the first time we'd let the pups roam freely in the yard, away from the confines of their small exercise pen.

Treasure not only inherited strong natural hunting abilities from her mother Wish, but also her wonderful nurturing and maternal instincts as well. When Treasure and her litter mates were about the same age as the pups in this clip Wish caught a chicken roaming around the yard, killed it, and delivered it to her own puppies. There is a reason why we emphasize the raw and natural instincts of our Brittanys! Wish was always an easy whelper and being her 'midwife' has been a beautiful experience for us. As any breeder knows, it is not always that way. (She is retired from her mothering responsibilities.) John and I were very pleased to discover that Treasure too has her own mother's tendencies, in more ways than one. Like her mother, Treasure possesses specific qualities we want to see passed on.

We are used to seeing one or two of the parents of young pups interact and play with their babies. It's a precious privilege in our eyes to be treated to such a sight. Even more precious though is when a 'gift' such as is contained within this video unfolds right before your very eyes. Such was the case that day.

Treasure disappeared from sight but quickly returned with the pheasant feathers in her mouth. Her litter of pups was in the middle of their first great exploration around our yard, busy discovering things like our grand children's swing set or simply deciding whether they wanted to leave the familiar comfort of the x-pen.

How does one accurately describe a vision such as the one which unfolded right before my eyes? It's not common place but I know it happens sometimes. Although I've had the pleasure to observe many interactions between mother dogs and their pups, I've never them engaged in the raw beauty of a deeper understanding, an innate behavior which no man could ever instill in an animal.

Treasure is the one who first introduced these puppies to birds. She is the one who awakened their instincts. Not John or me. We have only seen this natural phenomena once and I don't know if we'll ever see it again. We always get pups on birds early on. But this time - Treasure took it to a much deeper level. The results of which are embraced by those who own and love one of these pups who will turn 2 years old tomorrow, the pups of Treasure and Gibson's first litter. (Including of course our own sweet True puppy!)

Happy birthday to each one of 'you', we will forever love you with all our hearts.

John, Ann, and our canine crew here at All Things Brittany

ATB: Autumn Sunshine

2011-10-07T13:09:00.003-04:00

( "Hunter" from our first litter born in 1990. Waiting at the Bridge, we still miss him!)

Website Update Progress

2011-10-05T23:41:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note, I'm pretty happy with the way the update is going so far. I discovered a nice photo gallery within the website builder that I use. I played around with it a little bit and was happy with the results. Just a couple of glitches but basically there is a new page with the professional show photos I have and a brand new version of the gundog page. If you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think.

I need to get some sleep - take care and God bless... and oh yes we have some happy hunting Brittanys here and birds in the freezer! Ann, John

Fall 2011 Website Update In Progress

2011-10-03T00:07:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note to say that our annual website update is occuring over at the Maine Brittany Site. That's where all our photos, videos, information, biographies etc. live.

Our site is by no means intended to be professional however we do endeavor to present as much information as is possible in a clean, easy to read format. I am technically challenged when it comes to writing code etc. although I get the gist of a little bit of CSS, HTML, etc. (little being the key word.) I probably make it much more difficult for myself the way that I handle the design but in the past I've had a couple of very capable individuals help me out. In the end that was just too frustrating to have to rely on others to make my changes. I found it a little invasive too although appreciated the help at the time.

This time around I am returning to a more basic format and using less images. Relying on the vast library of collages that I have it is my hope to use more of them. It will take awhile to get it where I want it to be. The last time I changed things around was just about a year ago according to my files, on October 10, 2010. I liked the clean look of a solid black background while using black and white photos on the homepage but have returned to a template where the content overlays the background. There's a really nice code for photo gallery that I want to try and if it works out - the photo gallery will be updated.

Speaking of updates, our waiting list will soon be updated to reflect 2012 plans for our program here. In the meantime we will be happy to refer you to breeders who we know are expecting or who have pups on the ground that are related to our crew here.

Take care... and truly God Bless you all and good luck hunting! John, Ann and the crew xoxoxox

It's NOT A Crime to purchase a puppy...and its NOT a Crime to Sell One

2011-09-30T20:41:00.001-04:00

NOTE: This appeared today on Facebook as a post that was shared by a friend of mine. The author has given permission for this to be distributed.

IT'S NOT A CRIME

Author: Leslie Renaud Kuther

http://www.raelanshelties.com/

In light of recent posts in support of animal adoption vs. purchasing
from a responsible breeder, let me offer this:

"Won't you buy me? Not because I will be euthanized, abandoned, abused or given up because I wasn't important enough. Buy me because the wonderful person taking this photo brought me into this world after much thought and careful planning, sat up with me, night after night, to make sure I was warm, fed, and strong.

She played with me, introduced me to countless experiences, people and places. She sang to me, held me, kissed my face and my baby paws. She cried when my baby sister didn't make it in the first days of our lives.

She sat, scowl on her face, interviewing potential buyers, some of which didn't measure up. She will be there for me, for the rest of my life. She has guaranteed my health, and knows the dogs behind me, very well. She knows what those dogs have the potential to produce, both good and bad, and she willingly shares that with anyone who asks. She will cry when I go home with that carefully screened family, and she will think of me often.

Isn't that worth a minimal investment, something to cover her time and the money she spent to bring me into the world, and care for me like none other? A little something to enable her to continue her exceptional care of my parents, and the other adults she keeps as her own? A little token to keep her going, so she can continue to support the breed she loves, with all the care and planning with which she used to bring me into the world? There is no profit for her, though she works for the love of her breed. She is worth your investment...believe me, I know this for sure. Look at how clean I am, how I smile. Look at my bright and healthy eyes, my clean and tidy surroundings. Look at how happy I am, how much I love people, and love to play with my toys...all because of her.

When I leave her, I will hope and pray that my new family has the potential to care for me with the same kind of love and devotion with which she has cared for me over the last 8 weeks. I'm scared, but I trust her. She is a responsible, careful and loving breeder. There are many others like her. She carries a heavy burden, but she carries it because she loves me, and she's devoted to others like me."

"The next time you feel like it's a crime to purchase a purebred puppy, think of everything that lead to that life. The care, the planning, the worry, the heart-ache. There are puppies that join this world, and they are worth every penny of the small pittance their breeders ask. It's *NOT* a crime to purchase a puppy...and it's not a crime to sell one. If I charged what I felt my puppies were really worth, no one could afford them. Letting them leave is the hardest thing I do. When we meet, don't bother to ask me to justify what I charge for my puppies. It's the fastest way to find the door, and never again get your hands on my precious, precious babies."

(Permission to share this letter is assumed, provided there are no changes, alterations, exclusions, etc., incl. author credit)

ATB: My new nephew / Scooby Photo / AKC Hunt Test Results & Scoring / Pondside

2011-09-26T15:45:00.005-04:00

John with Scooby as he earned his second set of qualifying scores towards a finished AKC Junior Hunter on September 25, 2011 - Northern New England Brittany Club Hunt Tests, Sharpes Farm, Hopkinton, NH (Photo Credit: Michelle Russell)

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
I am very proud, and pleased to announce the arrival of my great and grand nephew: Eli William Miles, born to Billy and Sarah early Saturday morning, weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz, and 23" long. I have the worlds best nephew in Billy and he's always meant so much to me. We have always been close and I was happy when he moved back 'home' from being in Florida for over 20 years. I'm so happy for him and for Sarah and for the whole family !

HUNT TEST UPDATES
The question: "Are your dogs staunch and steady?
The answer: "They were yesterday!"

John participated in hunt tests this past weekend hosted by the NNEBC. He brought along Scooby, True, Bullet, and Jack. Although out of both days just two of the 4 boys receiving a set of qualifying scores from the judges, John had no complaints about their performance and I'm happy to announce that my True puppy, like his Uncle JackDog, is now halfway to his AKC Senior Hunter title with good scores on Saturday! Bullet has one set of qualifying scores towards his SH. Sunday, it was my Scooby who earned a set of qualifying scores to bring him halfway through his Junior Hunter. The photograph above was taken during his brace and shows John walking out with Scooby's brace mate and handler, the judges, the marshall, and some of the gallery. (A gallery is any number of people who walk out onto the course while the marshall is basically the person who oversees the gallery to assure dogs/judges/handlers can work without interruptions. It was really nice that some people who are new to the sport had the opportunity to get out there into the field and see the dogs close up.) I really really REALLY appreciate it when someone takes the time to capture our dogs on film and these pictures of Scooby and John mean a lot to me. I'm very proud of them both and I'm also very happy that Starr earned her second set of qualifying scores (legs) towards her JH title too - congratulations to Steve and Steph. I heard that Bella earned her third leg - congrats to Jim and Lisa R. Actually, congratulations to all the qualifiers from this weekends hunt test. And to those who didn't - keep on trying. Persistence pays off, get training when necessary and above all - love and enjoy your dog regardless of it's performance or lack of. Of course I'm focusing on ATB dogs here but I do enjoy hearing about the accomplishments of others too! From all the photographs I have seen it looks as though it was a real nice day all the way around. John and crew came home totally exhausted but it was all good. And the pumpkin cream cheese whoopie pies and oatmeal raisin cookies I sent with him were also good from what I heard.

AKC HUNT TEST SCORING - DID YOU KNOW?
At an AKC hunt test for pointing breeds the dogs are scored on the basis of 0 - 10 in the following categories:
Hunting, Bird Finding Ability, Pointing, Trainability, Retrieving (n/a Juniors), Honoring (n/a Juniors). In order to receive a qualifying score a dog must acquire a minimum of not less than 5 on each categories of ability. (4 categories in Junior, 6 categories in Senior and Master) with an overall average of not less than 7. Judges must agree on which dogs will qualify and which dogs will not qualify before scores are turned in. For the overall average the total of scores is divided by 4 in Junior, and divided by 6 in Senior and Master.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE POND
Yesterday while they were away I ran the girls and Hemi who were here then enjoyed several hours kicking back with them down at the pond. Hemi learned a little more about jumping on and off of the float which translates to unplanned swimming lessons. I have decided that Molly and Treasure's interests at the pond are more of an amphibious nature. The hunt for frogs endlessly. Treasure will either bite the frog and kill it, then leave it for another dog to roll in at a later date or, if True is around, she will deliver it to her son and drop it at his feet. A little twisted don't you think? Molly, I'm not sure what she does with the frogs she catches but I suspect Treasure is at the ready, standing by to steal it away. Pippin is insect minded. If it flies or hops - she's all over it. The acrobatic moves she makes to jump into the sky, twist and land only to miss a butterfly, moth, or dragonfly are really quite interesting to observe. Wish has techniques all her own - the grand dam of most of ATB simply runs happily, barking and heads into the pond simply to lay down in the water and roll around - very funny because this is exactly what Jack does. Piper? Well Piper is more of a drive by - catch her if you can but she'll always come when called yet she has marched to the drum of a different drummer since first arriving her a couple of years ago. And Rose. No end to the antics of Rose, no matter where she is or what she is doing she is in control of her situation. You may remember we had some damage to the fencing around the bird pens... this means easy access to that area although the birds are safe and protected. And that's where Rose spent most of her time yesterday - well, that is in between her swimming breaks and coming to give me a kiss before she is off again. And so there you go - the women and children stayed behind yesterday.

When John returned later in the afternoon with the boys it was as if someone called "SURF'S UP"!! Seriously. As soon as John opened the door for each dog to get out of the truck they immediately headed for where I was sitting pond side. All of the girls and Hemi kind of scattered in different direction as each of the boys ran and jumped into the pond - what a riot!!! I was laughing til my sides ached and so was John - it was just such a funny sight. So there we were, with the ENTIRE crew being entertained by the happiest Brittany dogs in the world - who were simply 'being dogs.' I'm sure that the pond felt wonderful for the hunt tested dogs who put in quite a grueling weekend!

Speaking of the pond, the water level is as high as it is in the spring and the water still remains clean, fresh, and clear. It does not look that way after dogs have been in and kicked up the bottom of course. It's a great place to spend a warm early autumn afternoon that is for sure.

October 1st - Maine Bird Hunting Season Opens!!!

Take care and God bless, and thanks so much for your interest! John, Ann, and All things Brittany

ATB: Brittany Gun Dog Training / It's All About FRIENDSHIP

2011-09-22T16:38:00.001-04:00

Pause/mute the PlayList to the right before viewing!

What a special couple of days John and I just shared with our friend Dawn. I have tried to capture the essence of some of our visit through the video above. Many of these pictures were taken by Dawn as she walked with John through the training fields we use. I took a few too. (If you're familiar with the ATB family and crew you know Dawn owns Pippin's sire (Ch Hills Blazin' Jac) and also her half sister Bailey (Hill's Catchn' the Wind JH) out of our Jack (J & A's Apple Jack of Acton JH). That may all sound confusing if you're new to our blog but if you check out our website you can view some of the crew and their information there as well. Or check out our link column to the right and you can see Hill's Brittanys

It's so great to have a friend who is also a breeder of Brittanys with very similar philosphies, hopes and goals. We don't always get together as often as we'd like to. Usually it's at a dog show that we all spend time with our dogs, grooming, handling etc. If you take a look at the video Expressions of Friendship well that really explains a lot of this.

John and I are very blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends that continues to grow and expand. Each and every person means a lot to us, near or far. I love that a lot of 'you' are becoming friends with each other too either through the blog, Facebook, or of course the dogs. It's not easy to find time to share so that's why this visit meant a lot. Before I get too involved with what I want to write about though - we also enjoyed a very nice dinner out with Lori and her mom recently as they spent a weekend on a nearby beach here in Maine! We didn't have our Brittany Fun Day this year - just too much going on in our life. But slowly but surely John and I are getting a chance to enjoy visits like this (and YES indeed there should be one soon from RHODE ISLAND!!!)

Wednesday morning after Dawn had settled in with her handsome liver and white Brittany pup Alex and her sweet, loveable Bailey bug we took a trip to the field. Bullet, Jack, True, and Scooby went as they are preparing for another hunt test this weekend. Hemi and Alex went to have some playtime with birds. And Pippin and Bailey went to run together; they are not finished gun dogs but the big boys are.

I don't always get to see the dogs work even when I go to the field so Dawn took some really GREAT photos of the boys working with John. Even though, pictures do not tell the story of these highly trained handsome intelligent finished gun dogs! Each at various stages towards finishing as a Junior or Senior Huner - they are doing great.

Alex was introduced to quail and pigeon as Hemi enjoyed his ongoing training. Both just youngsters, they had a lot of fun which is as it should be. I am considering keeping Hemi off of birds for awhile and just letting him run. He's a natural, and he's also way too young for any kind of formal training. I like to let the first year be as unrestrictive as possible, believing you can always haul them back in when they get older but it's a lot harder to get them to range out if they don't do it as a pupster. John is a gentle trainer and I'm really very proud of his training methods and understanding with each dog, no matter what age.

After our awesome time in the field John and I were treated to a wonderful meal made by Dawn! She brought all the ingredients and our kitchen was soon filled with the wonderful aroma of garlic and onions sauteed in olive oil as she prepared a wonderful Chicken Brocoli Alfredo! My contribution was a simple Blueberry Cake and Banana Bread. Dawn is a good cook, but she claims her son is even better. John and I appreciated her catered meal.

Hemi and Alex were put up on the grooming table for a little clippering. Hemi does very well on the table and was introduced to the clipper for the first time. Alex also does quite well; both pups are accustomed to being combed and groomed on the table because they have been up there frequently since a very young age. They looked pretty handsome and soon it was time to head to my weekly handling class with Penny Cary. I'd called ahead to make arrangements for Alex and Dawn to join us and I'm so glad she did! Penny offers a very unique training class which is a fun and holistic (addresses the entire handler/dog relationship) method. Alex is Hemi's uncle - and they are quite amazing little pups. Hemi and Alex were tired from their field fun but enjoyed their very full dual kind of day together.

Evening turned into the next day turned into time to say goodbye. I enjoyed this visit so much which was all about friendship and the love of the dogs both given and received.

Speaking of training: You know I've been so proud of John and his recent field events with some of our crew. You may even be tired of hearing about this in the past few blogs! Well, look for more updates as once again they head out to hunt tests this weekend. Scooby will be going for his 2nd leg of Juniors. Although I'm certain Scoob could easily get a Senior title (has always backed and retrieved naturally)it's more important for us to go through the stages for a lot of reasons. Jack who is halfway to finishing as a Senior will give it his best shot. We also know Bullet, True, and Nash will both give it their all (Nash 1st attempt at Seniors - go Steve!!). And we'll be looking forward to hearing how Bella and Starr do too in Juniors. Hope you'll keep them all in your prayers and wish the ATB crew success!!

The question: "Are your dogs staunch and steady?
The answer: "They were yesterday!"

Take care and God bless you and yours only...John, Ann, and ATB

ATB: Latest Achievements / New AKC Junior Hunter / About Hunt Tests

2011-09-18T13:28:00.006-04:00

NEWS FLASH!

Comment: John just called from Sharpes Farm in Hopkinton, New Hampshire where this weekend the Katahdin German Shorthair Pointing Club of Portland hosted two days of AKC Hunting Tests. (A hunt test is an event at which the natural ability and training of gun dogs are evaluated against a written standard. Each dog that meets this standard earns a pass. This is unlike a field trial in which dog/handler teams compete against one another with only one dog being declared the winner. Here is a good link which further explains the rules and process. Additionally, I've taken the time to provide some link's back to the profile pages of some of the dogs below - enjoy!)

New Junior Hunter:

J & A's Nash Stream Kelsea Notch Kid JH

Sire: J & A's Apple Jack of Acton JH / Dam: KJs Ramblin Molly Rose

Congratulations to Steve and Stephanie Stepanian and to Nash dog son of Jack dog (also grandson of Wish)!!!

Senior Hunter Qualifiers:

J & A's Apple Jack of Acton JH

Sire: Pride & Joy's Butchman / Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon a Star

Score: 10, 8, 8, 7, 8, 7

A son of "Wish" and handled by John, Jack is now half way there, and just needs to finish two more legs for his AKC Senior Hunting title! So happy for John and extremely proud of this golden boy of ours!

J & A's High Caliber Harris Special JH "Bullet"
Sire: J & A's Apple Jack of Acton JH / Dam: KJ Requets Bouncin' Crysta

Score: 10, 9, 9, 8, 7, 8 (1st set of qualifying scores)

A son of Jack and grandson to Wish and handled by John and owned by our dear friend Julie Harris, Bullet really strutted his stuff and was shining in the field garnering many compliments from those who watched.

Junior Hunter Qualifiers:

J & A's Soaring White Sequoia "Scooby"

Sire: J & A's Timberdoodle of Acton / Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon a Star

Score: 9, 8, 9, 9 (1st set of qualifying scores)

Son of my doodly boy and of our Wish, Scooby was handled by John today. My marshmallow boy exceeded my expectations !

J&A's Wish Upon A Shooting Starr

Sire: FC/AFC Coos Rylee / Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon a Star

With a well known father and a daughter out of our Wish, pretty little tri-colored Starr was handled today by owner Steve Stepanian, for her first set of qualifying scores towards finishing as an AKC Junior Hunter!!

"Bella"

Sire: J & A's Apple Jack of Acton JH / Dam: Belknaps Reason to Believe

Last but not least, Jim Rollins' young 9 month old pup, a grandaughter of Wish and who is out of a breeding last fall with Jack and Jasmine won the highest qualifying scores possible for her first leg towards finishing as an AKC Junior Hunter with 10, 10, 10, 10 !!!

(Speaking of Jack and Jasmine - there has been a repeat breeding between

them with pups anticipated the first part of November. If interested give Jasmine's breeders Tom and Kim Zuk a call at 603.776.0950.)

Senior Hunter Non-Qualifier:
J & A's Keeper of the Stars JH "True"
Sire: CH Gibson JH Dam: J & A's Dreams Come True of Acton

Just about 2 years old True is a finished AKC Junior Hunter with one set of qualifying scores (all 9's) towards his Senior Hunte title. John said True performed quite well today at the tests however he was a bit over-exuberant and blew through the birds. So it goes. We'll try him again next time. It's important to realize that not all dogs who test every time receive a qualifying score!

We are very proud of each and every accomplishment of our Brittany dogs. To see pictures of some of the dogs mentioned above and additional achievements of others with photos etc. visit our Next Generation page!

VIDEO: CMBC Pointing Dog Training Day Weekend

2011-09-17T14:08:00.001-04:00

Thank you again to all who participated in the recent training day for pointing dogs. It really was a wonderful time and I wish I could have personally spent more one on one time with so many from our 'ATB family.' John and I were very proud to see so many Brittanys there from our program come and support the club we are so involved with. From the looks of things, most of the dogs there had a chance to do some bird work at whatever training level they are at. There's also a peek at the following day's events at the Penobscott Valley Kennel Clubs AKC Sanctioned B-OB Match held in Bangor, Maine. I hope you'll enjoy this video and recognize many of the dogs and people at both events !

(Don't forget to pause the music PlayList to the right.)

Pointing Dog Training Day - Covered by Bangor Daily News!

2011-09-13T21:34:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was an AWESOME one for All Things Brittany and for many other dog owners for many reasons. But I want to draw your attention briefly to an exceptional article published in the online Bangor Daily News - FULL coverage of the Central Maine Brittany Club's training day on Saturday in Brownfield, Maine. Those of you who were there will want to share this with your friends and family so look closely you may just find you or your dog pictured! Here is the link to the article complete with a nice selection of photos http://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/13/outdoors/dog-day-afternoon/

(Now I am also extremely pleased that of all the attendees there were 15 Brittanys from our breeding program there with their owners. The ATB contingency ranged in age from 4 months old to 6 years old. Hemi, Thistle, Ruby, Benny, Jack, Bullet, True, Riley, Millie, Brandi, Bella, Louie, Sassy, Remi, Boog. I think that's everyone!)

I am working on a presentation from this past weekend myself and a blog update. Attended a 'match' show in Bangor and 3 pups from Pippin and Chevy's litter were in the ring for the first time. A match is an informal fun dog show. Hemi, Thistle, and Magnum showed themselves proudly. I was especially surprised to see Magnum there who was shown by one of his best friends, Rebecca. He looked so handsome! Will share so much more later but do want to let you know how Hemi did:
Hemi 1st Place in his class, Magnum was 2nd
Hemi Best of Breed, Thistle was Best Opposite and 1st in her class
Hemi: Puppy Group 2 (out of 5 other sporting breeds, Hemi was second!)
Hemi: Adult Group 4 (out of 7 other ADULT sporting breeds, Hemi was fourth!)

Do check out the Bangor Daily News article!! I'll be back in a few more days with more updates. If you're on Facebook you get to see more of the photos for the time being. Take care and God bless - and as always THANK you for your interest. I am still on an ATB 'high' after this weekend. John, Ann, and our amazing Brittany crew.

ATB: Where Is Hemi's Halo?

2011-09-08T23:26:00.002-04:00

J & A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton "Hemi" - 4 months Old
Sire: GCH Tonan - Hope's RU Kiddin' Me "Chevy"
Dam: J & A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton "Pippin"

I've looked everywhere. I can't find it and I swear it was just there yesterday - or was it. Come to think of it, when WAS the last time I saw it? Oh yeah, I remember now. I was standing in front of Hemi, clicker in one hand and string cheese in the other. He was trying to read my mind to discover what behavior it would take to earn a click and a treat. He lay down on the floor in full submission and quite happily I might add. Hemi has THE cutest little 'freckle face strawberry' face I have ever seen in my life. But recently I've noticed a lot of changes in the beholder of the freckly face. It started when his halo slipped off to the side a little bit and I gently readjusted it. At about that time I noticed there was a teeny tiny nick in it, as well as a slight tarnished spot. Thinking back I had to wonder what may have caused such changes to his pure gold halo, a halo to indicate that he was a perfect little angel. Could it have occurred about the time Hemi sat in front of me defiantly and began to exercise his right to free speech? Or perhaps it was the very first time he acted as if he were hard of hearing as he continued to run further away from me as I called him to 'Come, Hemi!' That would also have been during that timeframe when he learned to jump up onto John's chair and stretched himself out so that he could reach the afternoon mail. Fortunately I managed to disengage the letter from Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from his mouth, replacing it with what else - treats! I had been looking high and low for that halo lately to no avail and dreading to have to confess I just did not know where it was - that was up until last night. Hemi and I participated in our first handling class together and boy - his halo was shining brightly and caught the attention of our fellow 'classmates'. He was indeed as good as gold, shining brightly and with pride in himself because Hemi knew I was well pleased with him. This afternoon however the halo may have been lost once and for all. We were enjoying some birdwork in the field with his friend Benny. Benny's obedience training is showing while Hemi's is not, and neither is his halo. Suffice to say very little off leash work and training (if any) is in Hemi's future. We have here a very birdy, independent, turned on little Brittany pup who lost his tarnished halo when it feel off as he ran away in the direction the bird flew way across the field! In all seriousness though - that is NOT a problem at his age of 4 months old but it does mean a check cord will be dragging behind him from this point on!

As the quote from Mike Gaddis says "The desire in an exceptional pup is like a rare young wine, kegged from a proven vineyard. Nurture it slowly to perfection and it will pleasure the years. Tap it prematurely, and you will squander it’s bouquet in infancy”. Timing is everything. That's okay Hemi. I know your mother. I totally understand what you are about and you are more than I could have ever hoped for. You were worth the wait, and you will BE worth the wait. For now - enjoy the fun of being a puppy, halo or not.

Take care and God Bless and as always thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany! John, Ann, and our canine crew who are counting the days until the first day of bird hunting season - and thrilled that the woodcock hunting has been extended this year!

ATB: Safe Dog Toys / Treasure's NOT so pretty treasure

2011-09-03T17:00:00.009-04:00

The remains of a dog toy vomited up over a period of several days.

The warnings on a toy designed exclusively for a dog are there for a good reason. Namely, do not leave your dog unattended or unsupervised with that toy. I rarely if ever will leave a toy that could somehow be mangled or destroyed by the dog while confined to a crate. When leaving a dog alone in the house, one with good manners and not known to chew or destroy things I will still run through and pick up every toy that has a squeaky inside of it, or that may otherwise could be destuffed. I'm talking Brittanys. And those of you who own them know exactly what I mean. In all honesty, I've never been one to buy a lot of dog toys as much fun as a pup or adult dog has with them. Sometimes I am too much of a realist for my own good. Especially so when it comes to toys for dogs. I always appreciate it when our crew is gifted with a toy from a friend and love seeing the excitement and playfulness that results when enjoyed by it's recipient. But I am always very leery and watchful. It's easy to get lax or complacent when watching them play with a stuffed or stuffingless squeaky toy. And each of our Brittanys handles toys a different way. We have those who demonstrate prize envy coupled with a strong prey drive. This means they will scoff every single toy up within sight, hoard those collected, and sometimes even hide them from the other dogs. Then there is the dog who proudly carries their toy in their mouth with head held high, squeaking merrily along. There is another dog who happily brings a toy to me, sits and waits for me to do something - anything - with it. And so on and so forth. Please don't get me wrong - I love to see our Brittanys enjoy all manner of toys. But I find I must revert to my original train of thought: the majority of dog toys out there today are dangerous. I suppose to say dogs shouldn't have toys would be the equivilant of saying if there was better gun control there would be less crime. It's not the gun that is dangerous in itself though - it's what happens when that gun falls into the wrong hands and is used in a criminal way. Something like that - you know what I mean.

Returning home from a dog show usually means that I'm packing. Packing a new dog toy or two. There are a couple of special toys I look for with Treasure in mind. In 2007 when Treasure won Best in Sweepstakes at the Northern New England Brittany Club Specialty which was her very first show, she came home with all kinds of gifts including a large, jack shaped, toy. Since then, we have gone through several and she always takes extra care of this particular toy. I have always wondered if it was because of all the joy that particular day brought to us. Treasure seems to have a rule about her toys. As long as it has not been picked up and carried by any other Brittany here, it does not get destroyed. The moment though she smells another's scent on it - she kills it.

Another absolutely favorite toy of Treasure's is a little stuffed pheasant and/or quail made by the Migrator, Company. Although they seem to be more difficult to find now it is a brand that makes upland game birds in several different sizes. Being one of the toys I consider to be potentially dangerous - she could only play with it when in my immediate presence. Other times it was kept safely up high on top of the refridgerator. If you have been here and wondered why she falls into a trancelike state while gazing up by the fridge - that'd be the reason.

Jack on the other hand probably still has his very first toy here - somewhere - still intact, just like he is. His first toy was a cute little ball called 'Hol-ee Roller' . We bought that for him when he was just a pup because his sister 'Annie' came to visit and she had one. That summer, when I was hanging clothes out on the line, Jack would proudly walk back and forth in a straight line, one end of the yard to the next with that ball in his mouth. Every dog here has it's own favorite toy but the reality of it is most of them do not last very long. We have experimented with a gazillion different toys, including those which are deemed to be indestructable. Wish - forget about it. Wish cannot handle toys, blankets, balls or anything. That may be the wrong way to put it. Let's just say she handles them too well - the disintigrate within moments of contact. Just ask Bullet. And I am sure he understands why no toys are allowed in the kennel - not even briefly. He has managed to keep a blanket safely contained inside of the crate which is in his indoor run. I guarantee though, if Wish even looks at that - she will mysteriously will it over to where she can paw it through to her side and it will look like swiss cheese within seconds. Pippin knows this to be true. She's in heat and consequently spends time next to Wish. Pippin had a blanket with her. HAD being the key word. (No, not her puppy blanket that Julie repaired recently for the third time. The big one that I keep in her crate inside the house.) There are those dogs here who also like to simply cuddle with a toy, lay their head upon it... before they kill it and I'm NOT mentioning any other names for it would truly betray their oh so positive public image.

Scooby loves to collect balls. He is a Brittany who loves to retrieve. In the field, he USUALLY retrieves to hand but not always. Like this past week when he showed how pigheaded he can be but that is another story. Even so - tennis like balls scare the living daylights out of me. All of them. We have friends who are breeders of prize winning champion Redbones. What happened to one of their dogs in the past turned me away from letting our dogs have tennis balls or any balls resembling them - no matter the brand or size. One of their beautiful dogs began to show symptoms of intestinal blockage which resulted in a trip to the veterinarean. It was determined that surgery was needed. The result was that this dog had a build up in it's system of the 'fuzzy stuff' many tennis like balls are covered with! I've never been a fan of dogs playing with tennis balls although they are probably one of the most popular dog toys out there. There are horror stories of dogs chewing the fuzz off (like our friends) then popping the seams open and chewing the rubber or whatever they are made of - swallowing and choking. Also the covering on them can be hazardous to their teeth, it's abrasive and can wear the enamel down. I hate to sound like such a negative Nellie but just as surely as parents are extremely cautious about what their children are allowed to play with, so should a dog owner be equally so or more! Why take chances.

And then there is rawhide!! OMG I cannot believe there are even products still on the market made of rawhide. Not only are there serious concerns for dogs who are given rawhide products but those risks extend to humans. Seriously. Contact with bacteria Salmonella or E. Coli contamination is possible for starters in regards to rawhide treats or toys. And have you ever had to pull a piece of rawhide out of your dogs throat because it became so soft and gooey, swelling up, and then became stuck? Choking, blockage or worse is possible. It's not always possible to reach in there and remove these pieces and sometimes open surgery is needed to remove them. Hopefully remove them I should add. A few years ago 'Greenies' were the subject of great controversy. I have no personal experience with them but when the reports began to surface on the Internet about the product getting lodged in a dogs throat I was certain I didn't want to take a chance. (Recently I gave one to Pippin but was a nervous wreck the whole time. I won't do it again.)

Through the years I have seen some pretty disgusting things from either end of our dogs. I'm not being gross. I'm being honest. In hopes to help some of you avoid a disaster! I'm convinced that some Brittanys are part goat. If there is the slightest bit of food scent on a plastic bag, dish towel, aluminum foil or basically any other non-edible product the Brittany is most apt to try to consume whatever remains. Including the object that it seemingly remains on.

I'm not trying to be intentionally crude or deliberately offensive by sharing my opinion and experiences about various dog toys, treats, etc. Neither am I trying to offer anectodes here without any actual evidence other than my word. Hopefully though my word is good enough! In the long run we all have to weigh the risks and benefits of what we permit our dogs to have in their mouth, to play with and/or eat. Toys are a very necessary and beneficial aspect for your dogs enjoyment. Especially for dogs who must be left alone and unsupervised during the day. But even when you are home with you dog it's necessary to have eyes in the back of your head.

TREASURES's Not so pretty 'treasure'. If you have a weak stomach please do not read further! The photograph at the top of this blog is there for you all to see what a semi-digested, stuffingless, squeaky toy looks like after it was thoroughly chewed up, swallowed and later regurgitated through vomit over a period of about 3 days. No signs were given that this had been ingested. Stool, appetite, appearance, thirst, level of activity, body temperature - all appeared to be perfectly normal. The other morning Treasure ran up onto the porch and looked at me and then began to heave. The first of several pieces of who knows what was vomited. At first it looked like the remains of an animal of some kind. After a few minutes she stopped vomiting, came in, took a drink of water and lay down to rest. I closely examined the YUCK under running water and recognized the toy that it had been. What gave it away at first was the shiny squeaker. Scary, huh. I checked Treasure all over and watched her closely. I then remembered she had been in the outdoor run the night before while we took a trip to Augusta the other night for a Brittany club meeting. When John came home I asked him if he'd seen anything unusual in the kennel that morning. Sure enough, he had raked aside something that looked very similar to the YUCK Treasure had vomited. I washed this out (told you not to read it if you have a weak stomach). I took a picture of the mess and decided to blog about the hazards of such dog toys. This thing lay dormant in her stomach and thank God - THANK GOD!!!! Treasure was able to vomit each and every piece.

I had no idea she'd injested it but in retrospect I do think I know what happened. My sweet little Treasure is clever and coy as a fox. She is a conniving little thief and if a pocket, duffel or totebag etc. is left within her reach she will not be satisfied to leave it alone until she's thoroughly gone through everything. Treasure's beautiful graceful long legs enable her to access the most unusual places. Rosie and Molly both had a turn on the grooming table the other day while Hemi and Treasure played nearby. One of my show bags was high on a shelf, presumably out of reach, containing items from a recent dog show. One of them was a toy to be used to raise Pip's level of enthusiasm in the ring, a toy that had also been stuffed with liver! This zipped bag somehow was accessed and opened up by Treasure who then discovered the toy. With her strong prey drive and sense of smell I suppose she thought she had hunted down a true wild animal to feast upon. And all of this out of my sight, just behind the railing from where I was working. Even though I do not have eyes in the back of my head I feel responsible...

Hence my 'public service announcement' sharing some very real concerns about the toys we allow our dogs to play with, where, when, and why. By the way I have always used Kongs and Nylabones since 1990 without issue. Our Brittanys regularly get bones, bones, and more bones. Anything which, in my opinion is dangerous is - gone. I will remain of the opinion that there is no such thing as a 100 % safe dog toy and in the meantime leave you with a really great resource about safe dog toys from the "Whole Dog" website, which is entirely based on the author's desire "to see dogs living in the whole health God intended them to." Check it out.

As always, do take care of yourselves and your dog! We appreciate your interest in All Things Brittany, where you really never know what I'm going to write about next. God bless you - John, Ann, and the crew.

Hurricane Irene Visits All Things Brittany

2011-09-01T08:30:00.002-04:00

(Pause PlayList to the right before playing video.)

Impressions of Irene upon ATB

The first hurricane of 2011, Hurricane Irene, left widespread devastation and loss of homes last weekend as it aggressively made it's way from the tropics after battering the Bahamas and violently approached the East Coast. John and I tracked Irene's progression closely which had originally been reported as a major Category 4 hurricane. When Irene struck North Carolina’s outer banks on Saturday August 27 it was a Category 1 and hit New York City as tropical storm on Sunday. By the time the hurricane itself reached us it had weakened and been downgraded to a non-tropical storm. Weather forecasts revealed facts about past hurricanes informing listeners that, although several tropical storms have impacted New England, the last hurricane to make landfall was Hurricane Bob in 1991. Some of the reports we listened to indicated that Hurricane Irene could easily be compared to Hurricane Carol one of the worst hurricanes in the history of New England. Irene was predicted to follow the same path of Carol that slammed along the East Coast the last week of August 1954. Although Irene (fortunately) did not pack as much of a punch as Bob or Carol, she did hit a wide area from North Carolina up to Vermont including continued power outages, communities stranded by floodwaters, homes and properties totally destroyed, and extraordinary destruction in some areas. Our hearts go out to those who were effected in such a way by Irene.

We are thankful the storm did not produce more serious effects here at All Things Brittany. Nevertheless precautions were made to batten down the hatches as we checked to be sure we had necessary supplies in case of power failure due to the anticipated very strong winds and rain. Our bathtubs were full to the top with water, oil lamps filled to the brim, portable radios replenished with fresh batteries, propane levels checked for both grill and stove, food and water supplies assessed. As much fresh water as could reasonably be stored was set aside and the wait began. We lost power, water, and phone at 1 P.M. on Saturday, August 27th. It was not restored until yesterday - Wednesday, August 31st at 2 P.M.

We approached our situation as something to accept, to deal with, to grin and bear it, to cope with and above all to be thankful for what we had and what we still have. When faced with uncertainty, you know things can go from bad to worse in a heartbeat. You also know there’s not always advance notice whether a crisis will result - or not. To be without power, water, telephone could be a crisis depending upon the situation and especially the time of the year and weather conditions. Experiencing loss of home or life - that is a crisis. We simply experienced an inconvenience, a hastle to deal with in many ways. It could have been so much worse.

Where ever you are, it is my hope and prayer that Irene was a hastle and not a crisis for you and your loved ones. Better yet - I hope it was a non-issue. Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

HURRICANE IRENE: When Oceans Rise...

2011-08-27T11:32:00.003-04:00

(Pause PlayList to the Right before playing)
Still

Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Hide me now

Under your wings

Cover me

within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father you are king over the flood

I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul

In Christ alone

Know his power

In quietness and trust

ATB at the Dog Shows: An Expression of Friendship

2011-08-22T19:36:00.001-04:00

(Pause the PlayList to the right; there is a soundtrack.)

Well, there was an ATB road trip to shows in Fitchburg this past weekend. Julie and I headed out with Thistle and Pippin and met up with Pam, her mom, and True and then with Dawn and Alex. About a half hour out of Fitchburg on the highway a vehicle with Maine plates caught my attention and sure enough! We were driving side by side of Pam. Too funny and we couldn't have planned that to work if we had tried. Dawn was already at the show sight and I finally had a chance to see this handsome liver and white 3 month old half brother of Pippin and uncle to Hemis and Thistle. (Don't you love the relationships here?!) All I can say is there will be some more very magnificent pups in the field and show in the near future which will include J & A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton of course! After setting up Dawn took Pippin to finish her grooming for the evening Brittany Specialty and the rest of us checked into a nearby motel. It was a great weekend spent with dog folk and dogs. I enjoyed catching up with many people and sitting ringside to cheer friends that were in the ring - most especially Pippin and True. Pam handled him all weekend and presented him quite well. His 1st indoor show and away from home for a week this was quite an experience for my True puppy who did come home with 3 white ribbons for 4th place. (Well, he actually did defeat another Brittany; there were 5 entries one night!) Pippins class was a lot more competetive, I think there were 9 girls for the judge to consider. Friday and Saturday she was not in the ribbons but on Sunday she placed 3rd out of the entire class seriously defeating some beautiful Brittanys. Dawn came up for the Friday night show just for Miss Pippin at the Central New England Brittany Club (a shout out to Peggy Aguiar and Linda McCartney Roy for all their hard work to make it such a nice Specialty show). Julie handled Pippin Saturday and Sunday. I'm really very appreciated and also quite blessed to have the support of such dear friends. True is very lean and muscular right now and has dropped alot of coat. Considering he's been in the field almost daily since April it's quite understandable. This is not the best condition for showing him and I don't think I'm going to ever pull him out of his summer training mode again. His structure and form is so similar to Treasure's. We have always had to work very hard to keep any 'meat on her bones' so to speak because no matter how much she eats she was always lean - until her pregnancy. Anyhow! Late winter and into Spring is the time seem to be the best time to show him. He's going to be expected to work especially hard this fall so I do prefer he remains lean and muscular to do his job. I think too in retrospect that I probably should not have been so anxious to show Pippin again after pups regardless of who was judging. She just wasn't in prime show condition but speaking of that - she is doing very well in her field work and John's probably going to enter her in a hunt test. I did take some really nice photos at the show this weekend which I'm still working through. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the video I made which speaks to the very special friends we have in our life that do so often help us out. This is not all inclusive but shares some of the highlights and hopefully a measure of the appreciation I feel in my heart about this past weekend. More than anyone could ever know - I want to be the one handling my own dogs - but rarely is it possible. Neither Osteoarthritis or Lyme Disease are respectors of persons, or their belief systems!

Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Bird Dogs Afield Interview with Bob Paucek

2011-08-18T21:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a really great interview of our friend Bob Paucek. With over 60 years of experience training pointing dogs, Bob has quite a story to share. Filmed on Bob's training grounds, I thought this was especially enjoyable because of the time John has spent with Bob the past few years. Hope you will enjoy this too.

2 Short ATB Videos: Hemi & Jack Summer Morn / Whoa & Show training

2011-08-18T11:06:00.003-04:00

(Don't forget to pause the PlayList box in the right corner!)

A fairly busy day for us here, and I wouldn't even be blogging about it except sometimes you have to stop in the middle of busy-ness and as they say, smell the roses. In this situation there are no roses involved but there is a Jack and a Hemi involved. I am packing up for 3 days of dog showing. My show checklist has been printed off and it is nearly all crossed off. Just a couple of more things to do. Not to mention that today is the Maine Bird Dog Club grounds work day and I'll probably skip up there at some point. Even so, no matter how many chores or errands need to be done and regardless of dishes in the sink or the laundry pile in the bathroom, not to mention one final groom for Pippin before we leave - all these things - cannot keep my eyes off of the beautiful and simple joys that our Brittany dogs bring to me. This morning was no exception. And Hemi started it all by deciding to lay down across my bare feet, keeping them very warm as I checked e-mail, Facebook, etc.

( I hate to wear shoes so even when the weather gets colder, I am still barefoot. Crocs are my choice of footwear most of the time because I don't have to deal with ties, laces, a shoe horn or whatever. I am happy that Maryann gave me a new pair of blue Crocs for my new birthday. She is happy too because I embarassed her when I wore my old beat up green ones. This is also why my last pair of sneakers was a gift from her. I do not have a whole closet of shoes, my shoes do not match my outfits, I do not care about the latest style in footwear, and when I buy a pair of shoes it is most always for practical reasons and the shoes... well of course they are very basic and practical. The Borne leather sandals I bought at the Kittery Trading Post cost $85.00 when I bought them back in 2000. I wore them to where while in Israel that year, when I literally walked the same roads that Jesus Christ once walked upon in Jerusalem. My Merrick leather shoes were in that same price range when I bought them at L.L. Beans a few years ago. They were recommended to me because of my osteoarthritis. Last but not least I splurged again this spring on footwear when I bought a pair of muck style boots made by Crocs. Just perfect.)

Shortly after Hemi's nap on my toes he walked around trying to find something to do to occupy himself while I typed away. He is a great puppy and really does keep himself amused and busy. He's not demanding and will often simply find a toy or a bone to play with. Eventually he walked over to the porch screen door and gently pushed on it with his nose. That's one of the ways that 14 week old Hemi communicates that he has to "go outside". JackDog heard the screen door slide open and followed Hemi outdoors and pup thought this was so cool. His mother along with Treasure were crated with their dishes of dog food and a fresh pail of water. They were essentially having a break from Hemi and vice versa.

I will admit. I was impatient. I wanted to finish up what I was doing. I wanted to continue on with my proposed plans for the morning before it turned into afternoon and the pressure of getting ready to leave tomorrow hit full force. Hemi didn't 'go'. Jack didn't 'go'. I stood on the porch waiting for the tell tale sign of a dog doing it's business. It never happened. But something I could not have anticipated did.

I watched as Hemi and Jack shared some really special moments together. We really can learn a lot from dogs you know. They can take a simple thing like having to go to the bathroom and turn it into an adventure! Seriously. I'm not sure they ever actually went, or maybe they didn't really need to. Maybe there are more precise and subtle behaviors involved when it comes to specific requests that dogs make to go outside. I think that must be the answer.

Anyway, I was a captive audience as my camera caught the most simplest of dog behavior between an adult male dog and a male puppy dog. Beginning to end. And so I have sharee it with you. Hope you enjoy.
Take care and God bless you and yours always -you know we appreciate your interest in All Things Brittany! John, Ann and the crew

PS Here is a quick clip of Hemi as I work with him regarding a natural 'pose'! I am blending early 'whoa training' with early 'show training!'

Seasons Change

2011-08-15T23:58:00.000-04:00

This beautiful liver and white Brittany puppy is "Crickett's Hunter" from our very first litter of pups born in 1990. He was right around the same age as "Hemi" in this photograph. I had just raked a pile of leaves in the backyard and Hunter took the opportunity to give us a real photo gem. Don't you think he looks a lot like Treasure? I always have and they are related by the "belly button theory" as most of our Brittanys lead back to Hunter's grandparents.

I'm writing on the backside of yet another totally enjoyable weekend spent once again with family, good friends, and with neighbors. The only problem is time is passing so quickly these days that there are still so many others that I had planned to visit with before the summer passed us by. Not that I am rushing things or anything like that but I do want to mention that there are trees on our road with leaves at the tippity top that are already changing color! And my last trip down to the berry patches revealed that some very small but beautiful maple leaves had fallen to the ground.

In years past I would often pick up the very first leaf that I discovered as fall approached and set it aside. I've always looked at my own life as a series of seasons; seasons of growth and maturity full of various experiences. Sometimes we are aware of what season we are in. For instance, when our daughter graduated from high school and was headed to college I knew as a mom I was in a season of letting go so that I could be prepared emotionally and spiritually for whatever the future would bring and where God may lead me. When our first grandchild was born it was on the horizon of a brand new millenium, also the year marking our 25th anniversary and a trip to Israel. This was a season of personal growth as well as digging deeply into my heart and spirit, asking God to show me the way. Which He did.

Things leveled out and one season came to an end and another began. Eventually leading to where I find myself now. Seasons of the heart and the spirit do not coincide with the natural seasons but we can learn so much when one of them is coming to an end and another is about to begin. I remember clearly a specific season winding down in my life when it was time to leave my job behind for various reasons. Full of uncertainty as to what the future held but confident that it was time for a change. A single leaf fell from the majestic oak tree that shaded the path leading away from the office to the parking lot. I picked it up and held it to my nose, savoring that wonderful musky scent of a fallen leaf. Closing my eyes I simply thanked God for this gentle reminder that He's in control. In control of everything. As surely as it was time for that leaf to fall to the ground so was it time for things to begin to line up and fall into place for another season in my own life.

Seasons change from one to the next whether or not we are ready or if we want them too. Think about that pile of cordwood out in the driveway. Even if we're not ready to stack it and put it on the porch before the temperature drops, those temperatures will drop just the same and we will either be opening the door and walking a few steps to get wood for the stove - or walking out into the cold weather, across the yard to get an armful. So it is with the spirtual aspect of personal seasons. It is enough to be aware and recognize the sign(s). It is much better to be prepared for them. So I'm not really sure why my blogging tonight took this direction. I was going to write about the particulars of a particularly enjoyable weekend and talk about Julie and Bullet, Pam and True, Hemi and Thistle, John and All Things Brittany including our grandaughters birthday party. Maybe I'm inspired by a recent lunch with a longtime friend I'd not seen in way too many years and listening to the story of what she has been through for the past couple of years. Now she is on the threshold of her own change, finding herself in a place she never dreamed she would be. A "place" where God took all the difficulties of recent years and turned them around for His purpose, and as a result is blessing her through them. She wouldn't be who she is now if she'd stayed in that prior season but neither would she have experienced the reality of knowing indeed - God is always in control. Especially when nothing in life makes sense at the moment. Be blessed this night readers. Know that whatever is going on in your heart, that all it takes is a teeny bit of faith - the size of a mustard seed - to see you through. Faith in One Who knows and loves you more than you could possibly believe. As the leaves begin to change color and fall, with summer slowly transitioning into the beauty of autumn, think about your own seasons of life. Be still. And know. That He is God.

Take care and God bless you always. More about the Brittanys next time I promise. ~ Ann

ATB: Brittany Gun Dog Training / The Dog House(s)

2011-08-10T09:28:00.092-04:00

Bullet points a chuckar, holds his point while John searches for the bird, relocates Bullet who again holds steady as John flushes the bird and shoots.

John has some new sunglasses with a mini-DVR recorder built in. They are called 'spy glasses'. He wanted to be able to show Julie how Bullet is coming along while he is here with us. The quality of recording leaves something to be desired in consideration of John wearing the glasses while training! It is long and unedited. I did not want to cut anything out although I could have cleaned this up a lot but I chose not to. All of crew are working hard this summer - some in hopes of achieving their Junior Hunter, others to finish what was started in working on Seniors, perhaps a field trial or two, and there are those like Molly and Wish now who simply get out and enjoy a good run with no pressure. I'm encouraged for John and thrilled for the dogs.

You really never know what the Brittanys are going to do from one day to the next really. And you especially never know how they will do in a field competition or test. What you do know is what your dog is capable of and you work hard to bring that out and fine tune it with each outing. As multiple dog owners we do have a responsibility to our crew here to give them the life they deserve. As surely as we know what they are capable of we also know beyond any shadow of doubt how much they love us. This works both ways. Love for them and from them is a constant. This means that there is an even higher priority here - and that is for our Brittanys to always be treated with the utmost respect, love, and devotion. This means not only giving them ample opportunity to run freekt like the wind in a bird field, taking them into the woods to hunt wild birds during hunting season, or having them romp and play in a pond - it means they are a daily part of all that we do in one way or another.

As I type there are 4 of them very close by. Jackdog lays in front of the door and looks longingly out the window, a bit miffed John has gone on errands and did not take him along. Usually Jack gets to ride shotgun whenever the truck leaves the yard. My bare feet are being warmed by Pippin who is draped across them. Treasure is 'hunting' from window to window throughout the house. And little britches is up on the couch chewing on... chewing on something which I'll go replace with a toy. As surely as I just moved across the room so did the movement of each Brittany in the house at the moment. Now it is Hemi who is laying on my feet, amidst attempts to reduce the number of toes I have. Treasure lays in front of the door, Jack lays in John's chair, and Pippin... she just came back to reclaim her spot occupied by her puppy. Hemi won't move so she resigns herself to lay with him while speaking with him in repetitive gentle grring undertones about her obvious displeasure.

This scene changes daily. I think it's great that there are people who have upwards to 10 dogs in their house all at the same time. But I don't think it's great to let them rule the roost and run wild and free inside. Especially multiple pups. Although there's times when we may have 2 approximately the same age I still don't think it's the ideal situation. Just my opinion because I've experienced the reality of it. We enjoy having all of the dogs in the house, just not all at the same time! When they are inside though, they are welcome on the furniture, sleep on our bed, and occassionaly even eat people food as John cannot resist sharing whatever he happens to be snacking on. (They know I won't do this - so they all sit patiently at his feet waiting. I do not enjoy a dog in my face when food or a beverage is involved and they seem to know it!)

Some animal rights organizations define responsible dog ownership as not using kennels to properly and humanely house dogs safely. It is hard to believe that not only do some breeders actually agree with this, but there are those who demean the use inside/outside kennels and say that they would never have their dogs in one. Well, I'd never go off for the day and leave my dogs running loose in my home and I am not likely to leave them crated for long and uninterrupted periods of time.

Part of our proper animal husbandry kennel management is rotating the dogs from kennel house to people house. When our Brittany crew is involved with daily gundog training they do not go from the field into our house. They come home, run down to the pond, take a few laps around the yard and CHOOSE to return to their cushy multiple dog house aka a kennel. Due to the attributes of the Brittanys low maintainence wash and wear coat it's just not necessary for a daily bath. Their grooming needs include an inspection via a fine tooth comb to seek for any uninvited guests (ticks), a check of toes and pads for cuts, a look at their beautiful eyes, and then physically feeling them all over. I hate flags on the end of a Brittany tail so those are trimmed off and we prefer all over field cuts for the summer. Grooming also means keeping toenails clipped, ears and teeth clean. Apple Cider vinegar on a cotton ball keeps the ears clean and odor free. Fresh knuckle bones from the butcher keeps teeth clean, white, and pretty much tarter free. Of course this grooming routine changes a bit if the calendar reveals it is almost time to go play in the ring again. But a Brittany is not a 'foo-foo' dog,the breed standard clearly discourages excessive feathering. All that fluffy feathering simply is not practical for a hunting dog as beautiful as it may be. Speaking of keeping our Brittanys clean,they all do enjoy the occassional bath of course but most often they will be rinsed off outside via our portable propane heated camp shower. Anyway, our physical home extends to the big dog house to our small grooming studio which also transforms into the perfect whelping area. Suffice to say, both John and I enjoy spending time in these places as well.

Well so much for my ramblings this morning. Time to get on with day! John called to say he's bringing home cucumbers and asked what ingredients I needed for Bread & Butter pickles. I love to make them and my recipe won 1st place at the Rochester Fair years ago. Have a great day, take care and God bless you always! John, Ann, and All Things Brittany - inside, outside, and in between side.

My Birthday Reflections: Part 1

2011-08-04T11:00:00.002-04:00

You know the forwarded emails we all get? Do you read them all? I read a lot of them but I confess not all. Even so, from time to time there is one that REALLY sticks out to me. And this is one of them. I received it this morning from "Kathy". The timing is perfect - in fact so perfect I dare to say a "special delivery GIFT from God". He gave me another special delivery GIFT this morning too, the beautiful simplicity of His creation. These are GIFTS only when the heart recognizes them as such. And I do. Especially because it's my birthday. Now I didn't say that to elicit a birthday greeting response (although by 9 a.m. I had received so many awesome greetings from friends and family via email and also on Facebook!). I said this because I'm always open to the way God chooses to speak to us. Maybe I don't always walk that walk and talk that talk but I am open. The photo above is a collage I just made from the simple act of sitting on my porch within my camera, and opening my eyes. The 'forward below' I share because it opened my heart. Too much of what is written below is true. Today, I really need to think about some of these things as I turn that much closer to another big "0" in a few more years!

"Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas.. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?

And why are you waiting? Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift...Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over." Author Unknown

HEMI: 12 Week Old Brittany Puppy Fun In the Field

2011-08-03T11:34:00.005-04:00

(Pause the PlayList to the right before viewing, there is sound!)

12 week old Hemi's early fun field training continues. This time he's let off the check cord with his bell and runs free with very little guidance. A Bobwhite Quail lies in the grass awaiting discovery. At this point in time young Hemi knows his name and when off leash will usually come when called. He is accustomed to wearing a bell collar in the field. Little britches has casually been introduced to birds. He has sat observing the sights, sounds, and scents of our finished gundgogs via several trips to the field with them. The only interaction has been when the big dogs come back to cool off. This video shows the result of our efforts in taking things very slow as Hemi successfully points the bird and continues on with enthusiasm. A major milesone with no need to rush things from this point on. He clearly has been awakened and we look forward to yet another exciting journey with a Brittany from our breeding program! We enjoy a casual approach to gundog training which pays off in the fall during bird hunting season. And besides, Hemi is CUTE CUTE CUTE! Hope you really enjoy this, I know we sure did and DO! Take care and God bless you and yours as always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

True: What A Difference A Year Makes

2011-08-01T13:49:00.003-04:00

J & A's Keeper of the Stars of Acton JH

Sire: CH Gibson JH

Dam: J & A's Dreams Come True of Acton

(Inset: August 20, 2010; photo credit for July 31, 2011 pictures to Garret Booth)

True and Piper enjoyed an unexpected treat yesterday by way of running over on the training grounds of Greys Outfitting. Garret Booth invited John to join him in the afternoon. Piper needs some specific fine tuning and it's always good to get another trainers advice. True on the other hand literally went along for the ride.

I was really blessed this morning to see the larger photo of True posted on Facebook along with the following comment written by Garret: "This is True Short from J&A Brittanys. What an incredible dog. Head high points, great class in his run, and all hunt. GREAT WORK JOHN AND ANN. True came to visit with John Short from J&A - no training needed folks. What an honor to see a great dog work hard and really do his owner right."

It has been a recent pleasure to finally meet Garret personally who has trained 3 J&A Brittany dogs owned by others. We met due in part to his friendship with Bob P., self proclaimed owner of the 'Best Brittany in The World', "Remi" who is out of Jack and Chrissy. Bob and his family also own 'Boog' who is full brother to True. "Max" who is another Jack puppy with Molly, and well loved by his owner Mark K., was also trained with Garret. Folks who want their Brittanys trained for hunting often ask for our recommendations. Other than my recommendation to work with John, we are always happy to suggest other trainers we believe share philosphies that are similar to ours. And it makes us very proud when those same trainers complement our dogs based on their interaction and observation of them in the field. Such as what Garret said about True. That's an opinion we highly value for sure.

Hope you enjoy seeing the two photos above of my True puppy who is now 19 months old. Isn't he something? Take care and God bless, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

(Emphasis on my because John needs to remember this next time he thinks about stealing True from me! Just kidding, I wouldn't have it any other way - John prepared and trained True for his true purpose in life and will continue to pursue a Senior Hunting title with our boy along with the same for Jack and Bullet this fall. We're looking at some field trials and hunt tests and I am looking to have some fun playing in the ring with True soon!)

Pippin: Then and Now

2011-07-31T22:39:00.003-04:00

Caption reads: I thought it would be fun to do this collage of Pippin and her mother Chrissy and pictures of Pippin and her own pup Hemi. Pippin and Hemi are about the same age in these photos which truly seem to be so similar in content, body language, and expression which is amazing to me!

Vinegar, Borax, and Pineapple, Oh My!

2011-07-31T13:35:00.001-04:00

Someone commented on how beautiful the teeth of our Brittany dogs are and asked us what did we do to keep them that way. Well, although I have a complete dental hygiene kit designed for dogs, a finger tooth brush, and toothpaste especially made for canines (don't ever use human toothpaste too clean a dogs teeth) I must confess that is not the primary method I rely on to keep our dogs teeth in tip top shape. We take a more basic approach and it works. Our dogs benefit by our frequent trips to the local butcher where we can pick up a box full of fresh beef bones for about $5.00. Here's some good guidelines I found to share about dog bones. http://www.sojos.com/giveyourdogabone.html

Here's a few other very basic suggestions to consider:

Mixing crushed or chunks of pineapple in with your dogs food will very often cure a case of "Coprophagia" (eating their own stool). One way to keep it from happening is to immediately pick up after your dog. A real disgusting habit it can also pose health risks to your dog if they should eat the stool of another dog. Another very good reason to be sure vaccinations are up to date.

Apple cider vinegar is such a great natural remedy on so many levels. Moistening a soft cotton ball with it is a great way to help keep dog's ears clean and odor free, and to help combat yeast infections.

Got fleas?

20 Mule Team Borax has been used for years to eradicate them in the house, pet's bedding or other problem areas.

There are many ways to enhance your dogs health by adding/mixing natural food in with theirs. Popular additions include yogurt, salmon oil, many fruits, berries, and vegetables. Although MOST are safe for your dog, know which are not.

ATB UPDATE
Hope you're enjoying this beautiful summer weather; these past few days the humidity has been somewhat lower. Things are going well here. Even though we are always pretty busy we never miss an opportunity to simply enjoy the ATB crew in some way. Most activity occurs early in the morning as John heads out to work the dogs and continue his training program with Bullet. During the day the crew can be found doing one of several things around here; free runs, a dip in the pond and/or hunting for frogs, hanging out inside or outside of the house.
We're mindful of Hemi's need to continue bonding with John and I and it's paying off. Although he loves to interact with all the big dogs and vice versa he is doing very well with recalls even in the midst of the excitement of the crew. Basic field training with little britches is something I enjoy pursuing. We have a friend who makes custom collar/leads in a nearby town. He's crafting them for over 30 years and produces a quality product. As folks who own, hunt with, and competes with Pointers he knows what is needed in the training process. I enjoyed visiting with him and his wife the other day, picking out the exact materials including the puppy weight snaps and width of collar/lead. It was interesting to see the products completed beginning to end. Our ATB puppy preparation lists include specific guidelines for purchasing puppy collars and leads. A lot of times you don't think about the weight that is hanging from a pupsters neck in regards to the snaps and buckles. Less is more with the young pups. Anyway, we also went to Cabela's and purchased a very small bell to put on Hemi's collar. I want him to get use to the sound and feel of a field collar with bell attached. The tone and the loudness of a bell is really important. It's good to have several different types to use. Sometimes the weather can effect the way the sound carries. Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes that John and I have seen with attaching bells to the dog's collar is when the bell falls too low on the dogs chest. When the dog is moving out at full speed ahead the last thing that they need is the constant hammering of that bell upon their chest. We really prefer to see if we can fit the bell right on the training collar itself. Everyone has different ways of doing things, but we feel that where that bell falls/hits on the dog is very important. We all have our favorite bells but it's a good thing to really consider the logistics of the weight, placement, and sound. For instance we have a box full of various bells and really didn't need to go out and buy a new one for little britches but I wanted a bell for him to learn with that would work well for his new collar/leash set. As soon as we came home from Cabelas I took Hemi down to the field with a bell on for the first time. Like most everything else with this little pup he took it in stride and never really showed any reaction to the change.

Had a really nice visit with the Turner family last night who are enjoying a Maine vacation right on the beach. John and I were treated to a wonderful meal on their deck overlooking the ocean. It was nice to see them all again and we also enjoyed meeting their dog trainer and his wife. It's so important to maintain a good relationship with a dog trainer that you trust. As you probably know one of our requirements that is agreed to when getting a pup from us is that basic puppy kindergarten classes will be attended. Most people find they want to continue to another level. Even experienced Brittany dog owners or who have trained a pup before need these classes. I love getting the updates and reports about how well they do and often receive the certificate of completion as they graduate. Sometimes it's so cute because there are actual graduation pictures taken complete with their graduation hats! Anyway - "Ken" has trained Jersie and Brandi who have tested very well in NAVHDA and will continue to work with them and also Nova.

Speaking of puppy classes, Hemi is no exception and I'm just now trying to decide which classes we will attend. There are several options right now for me to consider. The prices are all about the same, from $120 - $150 for 6 weeks. Each location I am considering is about an hour away and I already know the trainers and/or the owners of the facility. They all have had our pups at one time or another which is so cool. As Hemi will be shown I'm considering the classes where True's handler teaches. But I am also considering where Treasure and Pippin both went because it's actually right down the road from where our daughter lives. There's a couple of more options too. I have heard from the owners of most of Hemi's littermates about the classes they are or will be involved.

Hemi's clicker training is coming along so well. I am incorporating whoa training and show posing into one lesson with the use of the clicker. Basically the same behavior is required so why not teach them as one? The clicker has proven to be invaluable to me as I teach him to come. He is doing so well (for a 11 week old pup) that I do not always have to rely on the clicker or the treat. Verbal and physical praise work wonders too. Crate training is going great and he has just started to figure out how to communicate to me that he need to go out to eliminate. We do have accidents but I am happy he is learning. A 3 month old pup is still way too young to expect to have full control of bladder and bowels. I do know that Julie (Thistle) and Deb (Maggie) have pups that are learning to ring a bell hanging by the door to indicate they want to go out.
It was cute this morning. Hemi went to the back door and stood there so I opened it and out he went, unleashed. I kept an eye on him as he ran around to "his place". Next thing I know he ran around to the front porch, sat in front of the door and 'woofed'. Pretty darn cute and smart!

Well, another planet is being heard from so I must answer the call. Thanks for your interest and as always, God bless you and yours - John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Brittany Training Highlights / Writing Nonfiction

2011-07-29T00:08:00.004-04:00

*Don't forget to pause the playlist on the right before viewing!
Half an hour of Brittany dogs running, working and training condensed into 7 minutes! The first two to run are True and Bullet. The second pair is Pippin and Jack. Monday through Friday all of the Brittanys here go to the field with John for training, tune-up, or purely for the fun of exercising based upon their needs. You'll hear a couple of the dogs complaining in the background from time to time - they have either already been and want to go again, or they are waiting for their turn. These would be the voices of True and Pippin. Hemi has been going to the field once a day for fun runs and he has met birds. While the big dogs were running with John, I had Hemi attached to a 6' foot leash. He took it all in and in the end joined them.

WRITING NONFICTION I have at least 3 unfinished full sized crocheted afgahns. There is a box somewhere with a beautiful quilt top awaiting to be backed. Hidden away in a tub is a dress pattern already cut out. I just missed a dog show entry for one I really wanted to go to. I finally put the bread machine away because the yeast I bought expired. There is a common denominator here friends and I just have to wonder if it has something to do with a comment John made recently when he used the dreaded "P" word - PROCRASTINATION. (Who, me?)

Somewhere in the archives of my life are hidden treasures written on 3 hole notebook paper. Long before I even knew about computers and technology I loved to write and write and write. I spent one summer in California writing poems about the experiences there. Mind you that this was in the 70's so a poem about my friend and I walking down the boulevard blowing bubbles could possibly have psychedelic undertones (or overtones whatever the case may be.) The song 'Ventura Boulevard' was a hit that my niece said for some reason makes her think of me. Ummmm....

Anyway, I've always loved to write. I've taken classes and earned credits in regards to creative writing. I think I mentioned somewhere about the weekend spent at the Isles of Shoals participating in a writing seminar. And then there was the blog.

THIS blog! I didn't even know what a blog was only that we had a litter of pups due and I wanted an easier way for people to follow what was going on other than rely on email. This was also before Facebook, or at least before my involvement with FB. At the time we had free webhosting and I was getting pretty good at 'WYSIWYG' (What You See Is What You Get) as it pertains to web design etc. Actually I created my very first website back in 1996 for the Kittery Aglow ministry. In the day it was pretty cool and high tech. Interestingly enough it was because of that website I met a lot of the Aglow women from across the country who I have remained friends with. If you're not familiar with AGLOW International it's an international Christian ministry, a network of caring women and one that I was very much involved with at a local, regional, and even national level of leadership. So anyway eventually I was invited to do a website for the New England Region of Aglow. There have been other website's I've done as well including the Central Maine Brittany Club. Our own Maine Brittany Site website has evolved over the past 8 years to the point of here we are at this moment in time.

I am not trying to pat myself on the back or be arrogant. There are enough people like that around already. No, instead I just want to mention that although people have ALWAYS told me they liked my writing, it has only been in this past year that I have had specific offers of guidance, suggestions as to how to write, and what may be a good idea about writing. I guess I have to get over the thought that these things are just being said to be nice to me, that they are being said in a sincere manner. And dare I believe - people REALLY like to read what I write?

I have several libraries if you will. There is the library of ALL THINGS BRITTANY and that includes everything from my father's 1953 AKC Books to the most recent book on dog breeding that I bought. Another library that I have contains several versions of the Bible, a Strongs Concordance, all my study books from the Berean School of the Bible, books when we were youth group leaders, women's ministry books, etc. In other words - should I ever follow through (procrastination issue again??) with my ministry sudies and did become a minister - there is a real good start on books for my study! Then there is the library within a libray which is full of reference books and resources in regards to the actual craft of writing. Books from the classes I have taken, recommended reading, information on technical writing, grammar, etc.

I want YOU to know that I added 3 new books to my library today.

The EVERYTHING GUIDE to Dog Grooming
The EVERYTHING GUIDE to Dog Obedience, and, are you ready????
THE EVERYTHING GUIDE to Writing Nonfiction

I guess that there is a whole series of these 'Everything" books, sort of along the same lines as the "Dummies" books. I do have several of those as well in my library which I enjoy reading. Ironically - the book called "Dog Training for Dummies" has the cover chewed off. While I'm on the subject of learning new things, I would like to build upon my extremely limited ability to speak French. In the 3rd grade we had a teacher who insisted that we greet her each morning with a phrase spoken in French. She, in turn, would respond to us in French. We learned a lot of songs and in that era Public T.V. consisted of programming from the University of New Hampshire's educational channel. I KNOW without a doubt that 2 dear childhood friends will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about and we could probably repeat these early language lessons by heart to each other. Anyway. As ATB has a new friend who is from Paris, France it could be appropriate for me to brush up just a little bit don't you think?! Maybe I'll look for an Everything Guide to Speaking French! But alas, here I am rambling, oui, oui.

I am the kind of reader who typically has several books going at the same time. The Diana Gabaldron "Highlander" series has had my utmost attention now though for a few years. Depending if I'm planning to play in the dog show ring, looking towards a future litter of pups, or reading a cookbook about summer appetizers - there is always a pile of books next to my bed. There are also piles of books where ever I happen to plop myself. So, tonight there will be another book added and I shall fall asleep reading it only to awaken shortly afterwards when it 'THUNKS' on the floor. Actually, my head just 'thunked' on the keyboard in front of me and Hemi hasn't even made a sound to go out and it's past midnight. Me thinks I best say goodnight and finish this missive another time!

Take care and God Bless you Always - John, Ann and ALL THINGS BRITTANY!

Hemi

2011-07-25T23:49:00.000-04:00

There is a baby in the house again. And I need to remember that. Hemi - is just a baby, baby dog that is. If you know me, you know I am not a fan of 'anthropomorphism' by any stretch of the imagination. I believe that treating my Brittanys like dogs is the best way to treat them. To me, it demonstrates a deep respect towards them as the awesome and amazing creation that God made them to be. So when I say Hemi is just a baby, it does not mean he is being coddled and babied, I'm not speaking to him in baby talk (much) but I am mindful of the very real difference in his needs versus the needs of the adults in the house.

Hemi doesn't get to run with all the big dogs although he'd love to do that. The big dogs run faster, harder, and are stronger and obviously much bigger. It wouldn't take much for Hemi to get in their way and by doing so accidently be bumped or hurt. The adult Brittanys are respectful of puppies and would never hurt one but still, it's important to use common sense and knowledge. Our intact males have all been brought up around pups and to know there is zero tolerance here for any kind of 'peeing' contest - actual or theoretically speaking. But you really can't blame them for expressing their unwillingness when young pups recently weaned try to check out the equipment the boys have.

Being a multiple dog owner brings an added sense of responsibilty in regards to bringing up a puppy. It's way too easy to turn a pupster loose with the older dog, rely on them to entertain puppy, and even 'teach' them things. I have to be very careful not to do this because quite honestly, that method for the most part works very well. Works very well for me that is - but not for Hemi. I can open the door and let Hemi run outside with the big dogs. If I'm lucky, he's going to squat and pee and maybe circle and poop while keeping his eyes fixed on what the other dogs are doing. (Probably the same thing.) But he's not going to learn a thing from me by allowing this to happen.

There are indeed times when it is beneficial for an older dog to lead the way in regards to a younger pup. But what am I teaching the older dog? I am teaching him or teaching her that THEY are the leader, not me. This can be particularly troublesome when dealing with dogs who have been an alpha/dominant in the litter and then tried to bring it into the human family/pack. I'm preaching to the choir here, and I have to practice what I'm preaching.

So the same schedule and training tips that we send to all new puppy owners are now posted on our refridgerator. Each door has a puppy leash handy to grab for visits outside. The X-pen has a permanent place now where the kitchen flooring meets with carpet. A crate from one of our guest rooms has a new place of prominance in the kitchen, and another crate is set up in my office space. There are treats and a clicker always nearby. The roll of paper towels and cleaning product with enzyme (ALWAYS use enzymatic cleaners to neutralize odors from the mistakes) are nearby. We're basically on standby here watching for those ever important signs to bring Hemi outside.

Hemi is doing great. Really. I am taking him out through the front door to do his business. I am taking him out on a 6 foot puppy lead. Lightweight enough so as not to distract him and long enough to give him a little space to find the perfect place to go. Leaving the leash on means I can direct him to where I want him to go. The reason we're going thru the front door is to eliminate (yah really) the possibility of setting the rest of the dogs into a barking contest, further distracting Hemi. I don't talk to him a lot when I want him to go to the bathroom. He's accepting the leash that is on him that I am holding onto. This may sound wierd but here's a tip: when trying to get a dog to poop while he's outside on the leash, gently guide him to go back and forth in circles, thus imitating the typical dance that often accompanies the act itself. And in as much as we all want to keep our yards free of dog feces - when a puppy goes, it's a good idea to leave a 'few' in an obscure area where you can walk him/her directly to. So enough of that before this turns into dog poop 101. (I bet the eyes of friends from the pre-"gone to the dogs" era are rolling.)

I don't like to use puppy pee pads for housebreaking. I like the pads themselves allright, they are invaluable to me in many ways in regards to raising a litter of Brittany puppies. I wouldn't leave a puppy alone with a puppy pee pad. If you have to leave pup alone in a safe place (preferably their crate) lay an old towel or two on the bottom of the crate or in the x-pen if you're worried about an accident. Don't leave a product made of materials that a pupster could easily destroy and then injest. The very best material for housebreaking? (And I mean housebreaking as in NO going to the bathroom on any floor any where at any time in your house.) Newspaper. But don't rely on the newspaper or the towels. Rely on your ability to crate train your puppy so that it's bladder/bowels are strengthened to be able to control the sudden impulse to eliminate right then and there. If you have one of our pups, you should have the article from the American Brittany Club reprint of "Crate Training Your Brittany Puppy" which I sent you.

Sunday night Hemi went into his crate with a peanut butter stuffed Kong, a flexible nylabone, ice cubes in his water dish, and a few treats. He enjoyed the Kong and the treats then started to protest. John and I were sitting right there but we ignored him. He had been fed, was not thirsty, had eliminated and been exercised. It was our bedtime. And it was Hemis. I don't know what I expected - maybe the worst? But within a couple of minutes all was silent. He hadn't fallen asleep, he was simply sitting there looking at us through the crate. When I went to bed, he had fallen asleep. He slept through the night without a peep.

John took Hemi outside when he got up in the morning at 5. Then plop! He plopped Hemi onto my pillow. Once again his behavior surprised me. I moaned and thought okay, time for me to get up (UGH). Wrong. Hemi did what his mother Pippin does. He wagged his tail, kissed my face and then wiggled his cute little self right next to my chin. And fell back asleep!

I had wondered about the possibility of separation anxiety - either because his littermates are all gone, or because of the bond that exists with us. I worried if I went out of his sight he'd go frantic and bark, yip or whatever it is they do. No need to worry. I closed the door behind me while Hemi sat looking on the other side. I had run outdoors briefly. I went out of sight around the house and came back in the other door. When I walked through the house, Hemi was laying down casually on the scatter rug. And it was good! He also rolls over onto his back for belly rubs, just like his mother still does for John.

Morning to night - I was faithful to watch and observe Hemi although that surely didn't seem like training or any kind of chore! Why have a puppy if I'm not going to give him all the time that I need to give him to turn into a well mannered adult dog? And my efforts paid off. Twice. The first time was when all of a sudden Hemi stopped playing with his toys, walked over to where I was and looked directly into my eyes. I got his message and walked over to the door, clipped his leash onto him, and we walked together outside. The second his feet hit the grass, he peed. I told him goodboy, but I also turned and led him right back into the house. It was not playtime. His reward was the praise word, my pat, and my joy at his communicating so well. I didn't want to add confusion to the perfect simplicity of what had just occurred. Later on after Hemi ate his supper (in his crate with the door open) he walked across the den floor, past John, and came over and stood on his hind legs to pat me with his paw. I was sitting at the computer and not paying attention. John told me to look at what Hemi was doing. I would have missed it had it not been for John! I didn't say a thing. I walked over to the door, casually picked up the lead, bent over clipped it to Hemi's collar, opened the door and said "outside?" We walked down the steps together, side by side I led him across the yard to where he had last pooped. He looked at me and then walked around a little bit before circling, squating, and you guessed it - pooping! Praise words again 'what a good boy!' This time - because it was so close to his crate time for the night - I unhooked his leash, turned, and walked in the other direction towards the porch. Hemi had a case of zoomies then - zooming through the garden, under the steps, across the lawn, around the outside of the x-pen set up there, down the walkway and back. All the time I'm telling him "Go! Go! Go, Hemi!!" I got up and patted my side, made a motion with my hand to follow and kept on going towards the back yard. Hemi sat there and looked at me walking away for a second. Then followed me and ran ahead to do a repeat zooming around the patio outback while I laughed hysterically. In the end, he climbed up onto the back porch stairs and stood there looking at me. Looking at me that is so reminiscent of his mother when she was that age.

Because living in a multiple dog family will soon be a daily reality for him for all the right reasons, I must really work to lay this foundation of a strong human pack leader. I want Hemi to look to me, not to the other dogs and especially not to his mother. I believe the chemistry and the integrity of a sound, loving and balanced pack mentality can be compromised when just one of the dogs in a multiple family asserts itself without correction or discipline. It would be extremely unfair in my opinion to integrate Hemi if he had not already experienced strong human leadership. It would be unfair to the other dogs too. I can give our more dominant and alpha minded dogs liberty to work out their heirarchy issues among their 'species'. But not one inch is given to let them do that with us. While we don't run a tight ship here by any means, we do expect the dogs to always respect us, our family and friends, and our home. What may look like a zoo here to someone who visits - is truly a mulitple dog family where each animal is respected and loved for the individual they are and treated accordingly.

Hemi has learned to sit, stand, lay down, come, and watch me through clicker training. His was the 4th litter of Brittany puppies that I trained with a clicker. All pups have gone to their new homes with a few basic tips on how to continue. These pups were sitting when their food was put down in front of them at 5 weeks old. They were sitting down and not jumping up going crazy when people visited them. It's how Pippin learned to 'sneeze' on cue, how True learned to step forward and correct his standing, and it's the way several dogs have learned to love to jump into the tub and wait for a bath. My clicker training with young pups is very basic and very informal. Today Hemi offered me each behavior that I have previously marked for him. But I did not treat him. I basically sat and watched him as he watched me, as if to try to figure out what it was he should do for me to click/treat. And then he lay down on the floor. "CLICK!" Treat. Several hours later we went through a similar set of behaviors which ended with - yes, you guessed it - Hemi lay down.

And Hemi is just a baby. A dog baby, a puppy who turns 11 weeks old tomorrow. He now lives in a wonderful, exciting new world which he longs to discover, explore, and probably conquer! There are so many distractions to take away from his joy of discovery and I really don't want to get in the way. But there are times I simply must. I won't interject a lot of obedience training or over burden my puppy with a lot of commands. His temperament simply doesn't require it. He already wants to please both John and I. If we're clear to expres our displeasure to him in a way that matters and is consistent, he'll learn well enough. It's like not taking the run out of a dog. You never want to take that out of him as a puppy. Never. So I don't talk a lot to him while I'm training him whether it's in the house, the yard, or down at the field. I let Hemi work through things, let him learn to think. I don't use a lot of words. He can't understand them. They all run together and mean nothing to him. But he will hear the basics repeated. My tone of voice will teach him most everything he needs to know about my expectations. His joy of discovery, every new experience, each time Hemi encounters something new - these are the things that are his and his alone to learn from. By watching him, I actually become a type of student, a student of animal behavior.

And I need patience. I need patience as Hemi comprehends what is required of him. I need to ask myself when something is not working is it because I am simply expecting too much of him too soon? It takes time to learn things. There should be no absolutes when it comes to expectations in a young pup. None. Each pup is different. Each human owner is different. Are I expecting too much too soon? Maybe Im making it harder, confusing him about what I want. It could be that the commands and signals are not consistent or clear. I need to ask if I am remembering to always reward/praise him somehow to let him know when he gets it right. I must be certain I've not been impatient. Maybe I am even tiring or boring him with repetition? I need to think about my tone of voice, is it light and encouraging? Every interactions that I have with Hemi must be a happy happy joy joy occassion. I need to train Hemi in brief, short sessions. Why? Because I love and respect him as a puppy dog. I want life to be fun for him. And I want the bond that has been developing since the moment I first held him in the palm of my hand to only grow stronger as time goes on.

Hemis mind is like that of other 11 week old Brittany puppies. It is like a little sponge that is just absorbing hundreds and thousands of new important stimuli, things that will have a lasting effect upon this little guys future. Having a young puppy to teach and train is like having a clean slate, a book of blank pages. It is also like remembering anew the joy of puppyhood which in turn, even enhances the existing and wonderful relationships with Pippin, Treasure, Rosie, Molly, Piper and all of the rest of the ATB crew.

Mostly, Hemi is irresistably, undeniably, cute as cute as cute can be. This red headed freckly faced rascal has stolen my heart. Speaking of rascals, if you ever watched the original "Little Rascals" and remember Alfalfa - that is who my Hemi reminds me of.

It's been a very busy year and I've been trying to be true to my decision to have some time off and take a break. Short of physically leaving for a few weeks I don't see how it's going to happen! So for now, our summer will continue to unfold before our very eyes, taking one day at a time and trusting God to lead so that we can follow. And it was good. Very very good. Take care and God bless you and yours - as always we appreciate your interest in ATB! John, Ann and our Brittany crew

ATB: Goodbye, Goodbye!

2011-07-24T16:58:00.001-04:00

All of the pups from our Magnificent Obsession Litter (Pippin & Chevy pups) are now with their new famillies, which is right where they should be. But as I am often asked - is it hard to say goodbye?

It absolutely is - even when I know we've selected the best possible homes for them. And especially so because we kept Magnum (Tank) out for a couple of extra weeks to be certain of our own selection. We've waffled a little bit, had some bouts of manic indecision, changed names around some simply because it's not easy. And as is the case with ALL pups that arrive here one way or another, I love each one more than I can even say. That love goes with our pups when they leave and it remains here if they stay. The first puppy to leave us was 'Annie' (Cherry), a few days later we said goodbye to 'Bogey' (Mack). The following weekend we placed 'Thistle' (Holly) into Julie's arms. Last weekend it was 'Rangely' (Mopar) who left his ATB family. And today? Today the transfer of ownership of all of Hemi's littermates was complete when 'Magnum' met his new family. Each of these pups is in a family that will hunt birds and has had a Brittany before. Most important, they are an important part of their new owners lives living with them as part of their family, in their home, first and foremost as a well loved pet/companion. Just like Hemi is doing as he sleeps on the rug in front of the porch door with the breeze blowing upon him. You see, today it is also the first day of the rest of his life too!

The song below is dedicated to not only the Magnificent Obsession litter of Brittany pups, but to all the very special animals who have impacted my life in one way or another over the years. All for the love of the dog, both given and received. I hope you enjoy it. (Don't forget to pause the PlayList to the right.)

So Long!

(Zooey Deschanel & M Ward - Winnie The Pooh Movie)

It's not complicated, Or very hard to grasp,

But every time I see you I laugh.

I wont get too sappy,I've had no epiphany,

I just enjoy your company.

You test my nerves it makes me stronger,

So can you bother me a little bit longer?

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye

And I Hate to see the end, the end,

‘Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend.

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye

And I Hate to see the end, the end,

‘Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you.

Well I could dot the Is,And you could cross the Ts,

‘Cause letters alone are lonely.

Well I could be the blossom,And you could be the bee,

And then I could call you honey.

You test my nerves, it makes me stronger,

So can you bother me a little bit longer?

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye

And I Hate to see the end, the end,

Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye

And I Hate to see the end, the end,

Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you

Some like to be

Alone independent and on their own

All alone I guess they're free,but not me,

not me.

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye

And I Hate to see the end, the end,

‘Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you..

ATB: Dog Days of Summer / No Respect?

2011-07-22T11:46:00.001-04:00

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
One of the online dictionaries defines the term "Dog Days" as the hot period of the summer reckoned in ancient times from the heliacal rising of Sirius (the Dog Star). Other definitions include naming specific dates for these Dog Days to occur. All I know is the temperature was 78 at midnight here in Southern Maine and that it was still that temperature early a.m. this morning. One room in our house has air conditioning in it and that's our bedroom. I was sizing up the situation last night to figure out if our master bath that attaches to our room would help me to accomodate ALL (and I mean ALL) things Brittany in the A/C. There's a large walk in closet too which I've been in the process of emptying of my clothing which no longer fits. (Driers these days shrink EVERYTHING you know?!) Alas, the very best I can do for the crew is simply keep them cool, in the shade, hydrated, and very very quiet. No training no nothing today. John did install a soaker type hose in the shaded outdoor kennel runs to mist the crew down at various intervals. Inside it is very cool with the fans on, 2 quart pails are filled with fresh water, the flooring is cool to lay on. The dogs have a raised platform outdoors to lay upon in their runs but a day like today they choose the coolness of the concrete. They each have 5 quart oblong galvanized buckets to soak in. No one is going anywhere or doing anything in this weather. Pupsters are being kept quiet in the X-pen under the kitchen ceiling fan and I am extremely forgiving in regards to house training mistakes today. We did all of our chores long before the sun rose above the treeline and began to heat things up. Much much later today they'lll indulge in the pond which probably won't bring much relief given the warm temperatures. The dock which John built floats in the middle of the pond itself as the level of water continues to decrease. It's 35' feet deep at the far end when the water level is at it's peek. Even though the sides have receeded right now it doesn't take very long to walk out and be over my head. The fresh spring that feeds into it keeps the water cool just below the surface and so far this summer life is sustained in regards to the stocked brook trout as they remain in the deepest part of the pond during the day, and I assume they're enjoying the shadow of the dock above them.

I want to mention that we had an extremely enjoyable visit here on Tuesday. You may remember Miss Ruby Rose (Scooby's Ruby) from the Mega Litter. Well we spent the afternoon with some of her new family as Marilyn and her daughter Megan drove up from Massachusetts. We also had the pleasure of meeting Silvia, who is visiting here from Paris, France. I loved seeing Ruby again, she's such a beautiful puppy and is clearly a well balanced and very social girl. Her family is doing well by her and I'm happy with what I hear about her trainer and various methods regarding undesireable puppy behavior. Marilyn took the picture of me with Nova, Brook, Ivy and Molly (Ruby's mother). Solomon was hiding in back of us! There's a real nice album posted on the ATB Facebook page courtesy of Marilyn and Megan. You may remember back in March that Megan also took some fabulous photos at the New England Sporting Group Dog Show of Bullet, Pippin and some of Dawn's Brittanys. Marilyn is a wonderful cook who has happily shared her talent with us whenever visiting by literally catering a magnificent lunch for us here! As a result I have several new recipes added to my collection with their family Mint Green Ice Tea topping the list courtesy of Ruby Rose. I was so happy to meet Silvia, I have felt as though I knew her already from afar. She is a part of Marilyns family as having been a foreign exchange student in years past. It's clear she has become so much more! Silvia also has a Brittany dog she loves which is back in France with her grandfather.

NO RESPECT
I still will not complain about the heat - much. A popular Facebook status going around reminds us all to think about the soldiers heavily clad in their uniforms wherever they may be in this hot weather. The men and women who are serving this country to keep us free. Last night John and I enjoyed going over into New Hampshire to an outdoor demonstration of Karate which our daughter and family participated in. It was amazing to see our daughter 'take down' a 6'2'' adult man! There was a Beatle tribute band there which I thought was totally amazing called "All Together Now", K-9 demonstrations, Mounted Police Horses, etc. The evening concluded with fireworks over the river. Which brings me back to what I wanted to say about soldiers, lack of respect and patriotism.

A young woman was introduced to the crowd which was seated on the ground all around the stages, along the park, here there and everywhere. She began to sing our national anthem and MOST everyone there immediately stood to their feet in grave and solemn respect. Some of us sang along, some of us placed our right hand across our heart. A young couple was sitting on their blanket just in front of us. I have to wonder if perhaps there was not some type of disability which made it difficult for them to comprehend the meaning of what was going on around them. Anyone who knows and loves John understands he is very outspoken about many things, not the least of which he considers to be proper and respectful. Standing during the National Anthem is very important to both of us. John spoke to the couple that they should stand up. The girl immediately did. The young man did not, despite the fact that his girlfriend also asked him to. I was wondering if John might decide to help him get to his feet but he didn't. It was simply ignorant though in my opinion that in this day and age of uncertainties regarding our individual freedoms, and as we lose more of them each almost daily - here we have young men and women fighting, risking their lives just so we can even have things like public displays of patriotism and so much more... And that young 20 something old man could not be bothered. He was more interested in putting on a public display of tasteless behavior in public with the young woman the darker it got. Gross. And then both of them put the glow in the dark sparkly red, white, and blue thingies in their mouths and so one has to wonder about their level of intelligence. It was not that the guy couldn't stand. He was very much physically able. Soon I tuned them both out and enjoyed the fireworks with our daughter and her family as the Beatles Tribute band played on. It was a wonderful display and I sang along to All You Need is Love. Yes, you have the freedom to even ignore tradition in regards to patriotic and respectful gestures such as the singing of the National Anthem. I could question why they'd even want to remain in a country they cannot offer such a simple demonstration of respect towards. But I would daresay it probably is the social, government benefits that they do respect.

Yes it's hot.

Take care and God bless you - as always! John, Ann, and All things Brittany

Happy 5th Birthday to Smoke & Molly's Puppies!

2011-07-20T08:48:00.000-04:00

ATB: Our Very First Blog Award!

2011-07-19T23:21:00.011-04:00

8/1/11 ATB's selections for The Versatile Blogger Award listed below.

One of my favorite blogs to follow is authored by a friend of ours who is also a great friend of the fancy! Karen (aka "dogblogger") and I first met in the fall of 2006 while taking classes at the former Diamond Dream Dog Center in Alfred, Maine. Treasure and I attended Level 1 and Level 2 of their basic puppy kindergarten program throughout the fall and then into the spring. At the same time there were handling classes going on which I brought Pippin's mother "Chrissy" to. (Chrissy already knew all about handling - I was the one who needed the training!) I remember meeting Karen who was with her beautiful Bearded Collie, the very special Miss Dinah!! It's nice to look back and think hey I 'remember when'... and then look to the present time. It was also at about this time that John and I attended our first meeting with the York County Kennel Club of Maine. Karen was also a new member when we joined. Anyway, Karen is one of those dedicated people who really commits to things in a way that most of us only wish we could, or would. You'll always see her cheerfully helping out at a dog show whether it is stewarding, overseeing a trophy table, or simply there to add a bright spot of sunshine as you enter the ring with a big time case of nerves! Most recently she 'invited me into her parlor' as I entered the ring to show Treasure for the second time in a long absence of showing. She's a person who will put you at ease, listen to you with keen interest, and also is a supportive ear when one needs an unbiased ear to simply hear what's on your heart. Karen does so much with her dogs, and with other people's dogs it's impossible to keep up with everything! But I try. And the best way I know of to keep up with my friend Karen is to make time to follow her on Facebook and through her two very enjoyable and informative blogs - Shaggy Dog Stories and one of my very favorite blogs of all Dog Show Newbie. For those who have been to the Brittany Fun Day that John and I usually host here at our home during the summer you'll remember Karen as the very optimistic Canine Good Citizen evaluator a few years back.

So what I am getting at is the award above which has so graciously been bestowed upon the Maine Brittany Site - All Things Brittany Blog right here by Karen. Norteman. It may not seem like a big huge thing to everyone, but it is a big huge thing to me. Sometimes I just write and I wonder why. But then I get the positive and consistent feedback from our followers and fans, which remind me there is rhyme and there is reason to all of this on many levels. Recently I've been pretty encouraged by a lot of you to not only continue with the ATB blog but you've also succeeding in motivating me to improve upon it. There truly is a sense of versatility regarding what I write or why. And I know the ATB blog can be quite unpredictable at times. You may find a purely patriotic post here one day, the next day find me complaining about things that irk me, and then return to find I've just stepped back behind the pulpit briefly. But always and I mean ALWAYS I hope you find the love of the dog, both given and received...

Those who receive the Versatile Blogger Award are:
1. Asked to pay it forward, if you will. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell your readers seven (7) things about yourself.
3. Give this award to other bloggers you feel are worthy of the award. (Up to 15)
4. Contact those bloggers and let them in on the exciting news!

7 Things About Me

1. I am a Christian, I am a Believer in Jesus Christ, I do not believe going to church makes anyone a Christian, I believe the Bible, and I hate to be called religious. That is one thing I am not! I have studied for
ministry credentials through the Berean School of the Bible. Our recently became licensed as a minister.
2. I value time with my family and friends who I love deeply. I'd really like to be a better wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a better friend. There is always room for improvement in these relationships. I am so in love with my husband of 36 years and have the best family in the world. Very proud of our 2 adult children and their families - they've blessed us with 7 AWESOME grandchildren.
3. I love to write and play the piano, flute, guitar, electric piano and write music - for no ones ears but my own and God's. He hasn't complained yet. In the past I have been a worship leader at church and other ministries. I absolutely love to sing and I have done so in Atlantic City as well as church, at weddings, and on other occassions.
4. In my childhood I would not hesitate to jump into a rowboat and row across the mouth of the powerful Pisacaqua River in New Castle, N.H. over to Kittery Point, Maine with my childhood friends.
5. Some of the greatest lessons that I have learned about life truly have come through experiences with our Brittany dogs with whom I probably spend the greatest amount of time with. Speaking of dogs, I am an advocate for responsible and reasonable animal welfare legislation. One of my favorite things to do is to hangout with our Brittany dogs.
6. Lobster is my favorite food.
7. England, Israel, Mexico, and Canada are foreign countries I have enjoyed visiting. While in Israel I was baptized in the River Jordan.

I present the recipients of my personal Versatile Blogger awards. I am pleased to share space on the internet with everyone listed. Hope you will take time to enjoy some of my favorite blogs:

I'm honored to be included among the other exceptional versatile bloggers who have been recognized with this award all across the Internet. As Karen said, it may seem like a little thing to some - but to me, it means a lot! Thanks so much for bestowing it upon ATB. Take care and God bless you all, and thanks for your interest as always - John, Ann, and the ATB family.

ATB Video: We're The Best of Friends

2011-07-17T22:09:00.002-04:00

I think this is going to be one of my favorite ATB videos... hope you like it too!

(Don't forget - pause the PlayList on the right as this has background music!)

ATB Video: Pippin & Chevy's Pups Day of Discovery

2011-07-13T10:58:00.002-04:00

(Pause the PlayList music before viewing!)

At 9 weeks old, Chevy & Pippin's pup discover the pond as their world continues to expand around them. The first day, TK sat down in the water and simply relaxed. Hemi and Mopar ran around the edge and dipped their toes in randomly. The following day TK deliberately walked out and actually swam briefly. He seemed quite pleased with himself. Mopar also swam but it was not by choice. His inquisitive nature caused him to approach the waters edge on the deeper side of the pond where the embankment is just slightly steeper and PLOP! In he went! I was ready to go in after him of course but there was no need - he sized the situation up quite nicely and simply paddled along the 'shore' for several feet. Hemi also likes the water, he has gone in and remained standing up to his belly - just no swimming yet. I've ordered a few more retrieving bumpers for the adults and look forward to the 3 musketeers observing water retrieves.

I'm enjoying having the 3 pupsters here; it gives me a chance to continue to watch their development. A lot of breeders (not necessarily of our breed) will intentionally hold back their pups now until 9 - 12 weeks old. This makes sense. Just at 8 weeks of age a lot of pups are entering another fear stage. I've seen that here personally in the past and also learned of it from those with our pups. While some pups appear to be ready for new homes at 7 weeks of age, I agree with Maines animal welfare law that they must remain with the breeder until 8 weeks - it is for the well being of the puppies. In states where there is no such law pups leave as young as 6 weeks which I just think is terrible. You know I feel that pups benefit substantially by constant interaction with their mother. From birth to weaning, they should be with each other. When it's time for complete weaning and to dry up mom's milk supply pups need to be kept physically away from her. When it's clear she will no longer tolerate attempts from her babies to nurse and/or she no longer has milk they should be together again in as much as is possible. Most mothers will uniquely teach their pupsters life long lasting lessons about respect. When unaccustomed to the verbal language used by a mother to communicate it can appear that she's being aggressive to her pups. Her primary lesson is that of teaching bite inhibition, something they also learn from each other.

Dogs never are as fierceful and aggressive with other dogs in their life than when they are under 8 weeks old. If the same level of [play] "fighting" that occurs between young littermates was observed between adult dogs it would in most cases be unacceptable. This is not to say that adult dogs can't play with each other but YOU have to KNOW the dogs involved. But even the best of canine friends should always be supervised when there is rough housing going on and especially when children are involved. We won't tolerate any show of teeth even if in play with adults here. We will always intervene when things get too vocal between two dogs. And we never will allow two dogs to rise and stand on their hind legs together in playfulness - it's like setting them up. This is a show of dominance and in these situations the only dominant one should be 'you'. Once again here we can understand the importance of knowing what true canine communication looks like, what the ears say, the posture, the expressions, the tail etc. With all the information available these days there's no excuse for not knowing the difference between acceptable and unacceptable dog behavior.

I'm referring mostly to the adult dogs. But it is in the puppy pen that lessons of acceptable dog behavior are first learned. From momma dog, from each other, and of course from the breeder and other knowledgable adults who interact with the pups. Frequent handling is of utmost importance. For a very brief time in their development the breeder may mimic the behavior of correction from momma dog. As pup grows and matures these methods are outgrown and verbal commands and social interaction with other dogs and people become extremely important. Once a pup leaves their breeder and all that is familiar to go to their new homes basic puppy kindergarten classes become extremely important. Finding a good trainer with philosophies similar to the breeder and the new owner is key. Especially when it comes to a breed such the Brittany. The importance of structured puppy training in a class situation cannot be over emphasized. (In fact anyone who has one of our pups knows we now require this!)

If you notice in the video above of the pupsters they are exploring on their own. My experience is to remain as quiet as possible when little ones are discovering the world around them. Even when they are much younger - although I love on them and cuddle them frequently - I'm not one for using baby talk with pups or adult dogs. I want them to be confident in their own right and not turn around and look at me as if to say 'is this allright'? There are times they will run back to me of course and times when it's appropriate to lavish high praise on them for doing this. But if I am praising these pups for each and every behavior they offer me eventually my praise will be meaningless and also become, believe or not, boring! My voice will be tuned out. On the other hand when they hear a jubilant, happy-joy-joy, loud, and certain single verbal command of "COME PUPPY", followed by clapping of my hand - and if there is a treat hidden in my hand - that puppy who has wandered off the beaten path is going to come flying! If I'm going on and on and on with lots of talking and suddenly say no puppy don't do that you should't do that no that's not nice and string a long sentence together of no this no that... well - therein is the tuning out effect once more! Yet, if pup does something I do not want repeated, at this age I am using the meanest, sharpest tone of voice I can and saying simply "NO." If pup encounters something that is kind of spooky at this age, or has an unusual and unpleasant experience causing them to run to me for comfort - well, please don't think this is hard hearted - bit I will ignore their reaction. Telling them it's all right, aww poor puppy, come to momma (daddy), is a fairly common reaction but it does not help a young pup develop confidence. If anything, it teaches them to be leery of new and uncertain situations. It's interesting to observe dog owners and their leashed friend while at the vets office, especially the dogs that are physically anxious panting, drooling, shaking, or in some cases woofing at every passer by. Usually the dog will sit between the owners legs while the owner pets the dog continually saying that it's all right, it's okay... etc. etc. Well, it's not really okay to tell your dog it's okay to be nervous. What we're doing here, quite unintentionally, is actually re-enforcing a negative or undesireable behavior.

Well I have to practice what I preach a lot, and none of us get it right every time so that's why I love to dive into training books of every shape and size. It's why I offer a list of suggested books that I have read and that I liked. I do not like every book I read - anymore than you will like every trainer you meet! So, as I'm blogging about a little bit of everything this morning, TK, Hemi, and Mopar are complaining loudly several feet in back of me. They are contained in an X-Pen. I know they have been fed, they have gone to the bathroom, they have water available, lots of toys and that they are cool under the ceiling fan. But I'm out of their sight. I walk past them every once in awhile but I don't acknowledge them unless they are being quiet. And these boys get that! They will sit and watch (I've been using the clicker with them) for me to make eye contact with them. They don't jump onto the sides of the x-pen or climb over each other in hopes of getting to me. If they've been playing, they will stop and sit. And wait. But they don't have to wait long because that is AWESOME behavior in my opinion of three little 9 week old Brittany pups - to sit and contain all that enthusiasm just because the want me to pet, praise, and acknowledge them is worthy of all kinds of affection from me - and they get it. It comes in the form of me plopping myself down in the middle of the floor so that they smother me with kisses. It comes in the belly rubs and ear scratches lavished upon them. It is found in the tone of voice used as I tell them how good good good they are. But they are not needy, and they can cope with me being out of their site, and I will reward them for that. A lot of their training right now is based on group dynamics of course but I'm not depending on that. When Mopar and TK leave with new owners they will be well adjusted and quite capable of moving forward into their own great futures. For the time being however, they will continue to learn and grow right here, right now, right where they are. And I am loving every minute of life with these 3 Musketeers.

You know we appreciate your interest so much... Please take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and ATB

Scooby Goes Fishing!!

2011-07-12T23:44:00.002-04:00

(Pause "PlayList" to the right before viewing!)

Here We Are At 9 Weeks Old!

2011-07-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

The "Magnificent Obsession" litter of Chevy & Pippin's Brittany pups turns 9 weeks old tomorrow, July 12th. Picture below are the 3 gorgeous little boys we have here with us. Hemi (top photo), Tank (middle), and Mopar (bottom) all enjoyed the coolness of the woods in our backyard this afternoon as temperatures soared to the 90's with high humidity. They also found their way to the ponds edge and checked out the water. Tank actually went in to about his tummy and then simply sat down. Hemi and Mopar both walked in and splashed with their paws for a bit, running back and forth because they could not make up their mind whether they liked it or not. The water level has dropped significantly so there is a 'ridge' that surround the entire pond which the pups had a blast running around chasing each other. They climbed up and down the embankments with ease although we did see a roly-poly Brittany act a time or two when balance was briefly. I walked around the circumference of the pond with them which led to their discovery of the world beyond. It was such a joy to see their reactions to all these things that are new, things we all take for granted. These pups are bold, fearless, confident yet also very much aware of John and I. For as long as it is safe to do so they will be off leash for these outings and each time I take them down back they will range out away from me a little bit further than the time before. It's all about discovery right now and they do want to know where I am. I don't call them back to me when they decide to go a little bit further than they have ever gone; I wait and I watch knowing they do have a comfort zone right now. I know which one is apt to forge ahead blazing a trail without a care in the world. I know which one is apt to stop and turn back to come to me first. And I know which one is unpredictable. Together they form a united little band of Brittanys, marching alongside of each other. They are all ring leaders here. After this outing John and I walked them back up the 'path' where the bird houses are which is also where a lot of unused (ahem) objects, projects, jewels and gems are kept... the canoe, extra fencing, stacks of this and all very valuable necessary items of course that will come in handy some day. Anyway... As they ran back up towards the kennel house they picked up the bird scent quickly. I loved seeing their little Brittany bodies freeze as their tails and noses went up in the air! We walked around the yard for awhile and they played with Jack. The rest of the crew was resting quietly for the most part in the coolness of their sheltered runs - they had already had their turn at being out and about. I try very hard to keep whatever informal 'training' with the pups separate from the older dogs, and even from each other. It is too easy to depend upon another dog to 'dogsit' a pupster when in reality they just need one on one time. But today was all about having fun and they sure did. We put the gate across the back porch and they all laid down and fell asleep in the shade. A good time was had by all! Thanks for your interest in our fun-loving canine crew of Brittany dogs here! Hope you're enjoying the wonderful summer weather and/or staying cool wherever you are. Take care and God bless you and yours,
John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

8 Week Highlights: Pippin & Chevy's Brittany Pups

2011-07-08T20:12:00.005-04:00

Highlights of 8 weeks with the Magnificent Obsession litter.
(Before playing remember to PAUSE the playlist to the right as music begins about 20 seconds into the video - enjoy!)

"The Prayer"

I pray you'll be our eyes

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise

In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer

As we go our way

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

To a place where we'll be safe

I pray we'll find your light

And hold it in our hearts

When stars go out each night

Remind us where you are

Let this be our prayer

When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

We ask that life be kind

And watch us from above

We hope each soul will find

Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer

Just like every child

Needs to find a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

Need to find a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

As recorded by Celtic Woman on their CD "The Journey"

Gathering Thoughts....

2011-07-08T00:25:00.000-04:00

I'm gathering thoughts, pondering, thinking about all kinds of things which I want to share with our ATB blog readers. How in the world can I condense it all? So many experiences of great and minor significance and my heart is full, free and flowing with creative writing intent. I'm loving the weather in July so far - it's even turning me into a morning person, someone who brings coffee out to the patio before the sun rises above the tree tops - while it's still cool and John finishes up his morning chores.

Two of Pippins pups are enjoying their new homes, family and lives. They are loved and owned by people who have wanted them. Great and such wonderful people!!! Pictures to follow. We have Mopar and Tank available although a gentleman from the Cape has expressed interest in Mopar. Tank will probably remain here for some informal field training with Hemi - and maybe Mopar will too. Thistle will leave on Sunday to become part of Julie, Sassy, and Bullet's family. Bullet will be here for the summer.

This isn't the blog I planned to write - this is just a glimpse of highlights, but as I type the paragraphs become longer don't they?! It's a very busy time for so many of us. It's a great time for the most part.

I will gather my thoughts and plan to find a sensible time to sit, write, and share. I have lots of photos and I have two videos I have not edited! In the meantime, I'm reading my own preparation for a new puppy information as if for the first time. Which is as it should be.

Take care and God bless... tired I am I am but thank you for your interest...as always ! I'm taking July/August "off" in as much as is possible - but that sure doesn't mean things are quiet here by any means - well all except for those nice cool summer mornings... it is quiet then. Peaceful. Maybe I can be a morning person in the summer, for a few days each week. John likes it quite well! That is what matters. G'night!

Happy Independence Day - July 4th 2011

2011-07-02T16:21:00.000-04:00

AMERICA! - One Nation Under God

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave..."

My country, 'tis of Thee,

Sweet Land of Liberty

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From every mountain side

Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,

Land of the noble free,

Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,

Thy woods and templed hills,

My heart with rapture thrills

Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees

Sweet Freedom's song;

Let mortal tongues awake;

Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break,

The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,

Author of Liberty,

To thee we sing,

Long may our land be bright

With Freedom's holy light,

Protect us by thy might

Great God, our King.

Our glorious Land to-day,

'Neath Education's sway,

Soars upward still.

Its hills of learning fair,

Whose bounties all may share,

Behold them everywhere

On vale and hill!

Thy safeguard, Liberty,

The school shall ever be,

Our Nation's pride!

No tyrant hand shall smite,

While with encircling might

All here are taught the Right

With Truth allied.

Beneath Heaven's gracious will

The stars of progress still

Our course do sway;

In unity sublime

To broader heights we climb,

Triumphant over Time,

God speeds our way!

Grand birthright of our sires,

Our altars and our fires

Keep we still pure!

Our starry flag unfurled,

The hope of all the world,

In peace and light impearled,

God hold secure!

John and I, and the entire ATB crew here wish you and yours a safe, fun, and happy 4th of July!

ATB: Lazy, Hazy, Crazy, Days of Summer

2011-06-30T00:02:00.002-04:00

Pippin & Chevy's "Magnificent Obsession" Litter - 7 weeks old
(Don't forget to turn the playlist volume down to the right!)

Well, I don't know about lazy days of summer but surely I can relate to hazy and crazy days! Actually, when I came up with the title for this blog (the first one in over a week) my thoughts immediately flashed back to when I was a child and that song came out. Very popular through the summer of 1963, my dad and I use to sing it together. I use to giggle about the lyrics in some of the verses thinking that I was really saying something 'naughty'. Believe it or not, John and I still have the original 45 record itself with the yellow and orange Capital Records label. When we were babysitting a couple of months ago at our other house the grandkids thought it was cool when 'grampa' took out an old fashioned record player and went through our collection of vinyl! Okay - so now that I've totally dated myself...

Update on Pippin & Chevy Pups - Availability
WOW. Can you really even believe that tomorrow is the last day of June 2011? As John says, we are heading back in the other direction now as daylight hours begin to shorten. Even so, I sure can't say I don't know where the time has gone because I know exactly where it's gone in this situation. The day that I prophesied about 6 months ago has arrived as I head down our walkway and stop long enough to enjoy the Sweet Williams, Peonies, and other perennials. I distinctly remember visualizing 'this' day as I carefully made my way across the slippery, snow covered driveway leading to the warmth and comfort of what was first known as Treasure's house. It's been a very busy, happy, and joyful place for over 6 months where friends and family have come and gone, visiting with puppies that soon were to begin the first day of the rest of their lives. This special corner of the ATB world holds many wonderful memories for a lot of us. It was where some who read this blog first saw what was to become their brand new Brittany puppy. It's a place that has seen tears and heard laughter. And soon, very soon the beautiful puppies of Pippin and Chevy, the "Magnificent Obsession" litter will also leave and begin the first day of the rest of their lives.

We have met with several soon to be new puppy owners and enjoyed getting to know folks who have been waiting with us through several litters of pups over the past year or so. I am always certain of the level of interest someone demonstrates by the number of times they come to visit, how long they remain on our waiting list, and sometimes - how far they are willing to travel to come and meet us. Time and time again John reminds me that he thinks I sometimes make it very difficult for someone to add one of our Brittany pups to their family. Well, I don't do that intentionally but I figure that just as surely as someone is hopefully doing their homework about us - that it's even more important for us to do ours in regards to those who are seriously interested in one of our Brittanys. I have really done things very differently this time with Pippin and Chevy's pups in announcing availability, puppy reservations, and breeder's choice selections. I shared with those on our waiting list that we would wait until pups were 7 weeks old to make decisions and this is what we've done. I do believe that Mopar and Tank will be available but we have not met with anyone in regards to these two particular pups although there are several very interested parties. It is extremely important that these two boys will be with families who enjoy bird hunting and if possible, I would prefer them to remain in New England, preferably Maine or New Hampshire. We do not have any further plans for our 2011 breeding program and we have a waiting list for next year.

Central Maine Brittany Club Dog Show
Last weekend CMBC's annual dog show was held in Cumberland Maine. We had 36 Brittany entries on Saturday and 27 on Sunday. John and I headed to the grounds Friday evening where, in the rain, we set up the clubs big tent and our own smaller tent in preparation for a grooming/hospitality area for Brittany exhibitors. It was adjacent to the ring so it was conveinent - too bad the weather didn't cooperate! I took a lot of pictures which are uploaded onto ATB's Facebook page. Overall it was a really great weekend and certainly there was enough food to last the entire 2 days. Entries were from many places including Colorado, New Jersey, New York and of course New England. I showed Treasure in Bred By Exhibitor classes on Sunday. She looked beautiful and I feel I handled her well. I will say I did not care for the judge one iota. She did not give anyone time to set their dog up when entering the ring - she just looked at the dog and then waved you on to gait, then a quick down and back. Standing ringside it was easy to see she was too busy to even follow the gait of a dog around the entire ring. This wasn't about Treasure not winning - it was about a judge who is rude to all those in the ring. Not only was she 10 minutes late (we were first on after a one hour break for all judges to take lunch) but she judged all 27 Brittanys within 30 minutes. Just think about those figures. I figure people who pay the entry fees, then the expense of traveling and lodging etc. are most certainly worth the time and attention of the judge! I know I'll never enter under her again, and there are others who felt the same. Unless you can walk into a ring and your dog sets itself up within a fraction of a second - forget about it! Okay... done venting. The specialty was great - loved the judges for both sweeps and regular classes. I'm working on the finishing touches for the official show report for the American Brittany Club. An added highlight for me was seeing Moxie and her young owner/handler there. She's not old enough to show yet but is attending handling classes taught by Penny (who handles Moxie's big brother True!). Moxie is coming into her own very nicely.

We've enjoyed the grandkids more this month than we have in quite awhile. Their visits have been more frequent and in fact our oldest grandson had a sleepover here the other night. He woke up the next morning all ready to go fishing with grampa! All 7 of them have interacted with the pups and I think that's so important.

As I watch the digital clock on the bottom of the monitor I see it is 11:59 P.M. Yikes! There's a lot more to share but tomorrow is a busy day with vet checks for Pippin's babies and getting ready for the holiday weekend. Speaking of which - be sensitive to the needs of your dog(s) if there are fireworks nearby. Regardless of the age and if the dog is trained to the gun - fireworks exploding have the potential to frighten any dog.

Falling asleep...Take care and God bless - John, Ann and ATB

ATB: Magnificent Obsession - Brittany Puppies 5 & 6 weeks old

2011-06-21T20:16:00.003-04:00

The beautiful Brittany puppies of Multi Best In Show Grand Champion Tonan-Hopes RU Kiddin Me & our J & A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton. We are very pleased with the development of these puppies. They are well balanced, structurally sound, animated, fun, outgoing, confident, of good temperament and a delight to behold! I took the video footage 1 week ago but was not pleased with it at that time. Since then, our dear friend Dawn Hill came up for the day with Miss Bailey and spent time with the new Brittany pups as we were saying goodbye to Ruby Rose. She brought her camera and I took still photos while she posed each puppy. I decided to bridge the video with those pictures taken of the pups who turn 6 weeks old today!! Song in the background is from Jim Brickman's CD "Simple Things".

This litter is aptly named 'the Magnificent Obsession' litter. It is only recently that we have formally been using litter names but John has always nicknamed pups as soon as they were born to better identify them. These new Brittany puppies were no exception and John came up with names related to the auto industry sort of, because the pups father is "Chevy"! I did not come up with an actual litter name until recently. It is likely one of the pups will have a permanent residence here and will probably be named J & A's Magnificent Obsession, and actually ALL of these pups are magnificent - thus the litter name.

The entire litter IS magnificent. Our feedback has been extremely positive. I am pleased that the 3 pups I reserved and identified as breeders choice have also been the 'pick' of Chevy's co-owner as well as breeders of Brittanys and other breeds, Dawn, and a potential co-own to be of one of the girls. We are waiting to confirm placement of the 3rd pick pup, have a deposit on pup #4 from a lovely Maine family (hunting), and working with interested parties (also hunting) regarding pups #5 & #6. Those of you familiar with ATB know this is a different process we are following. We'll be sending out our email updates shortly.

Once again, we're very appreciative of the opportunity to bring such exceptional lines into our program. It's been very exciting to meet and exceed the goals we set for ourself in past years as evidenced in NAVHDA titled Brittanys, significant field trial amateur and open derby placements, 5 AKC hunting test titles, and by the feedback of wonderful families who daily share their lives with a Brittany we bred. We are now especially excited to take yet another step towards the betterment of our program as well as the breed as a whole while keeping our own life simple and enjoying ALL of ATB ourselves on a daily basis. I'm thankful that John and I both can share this all together with our crew of Brittanys and looking forward to enjoying them all now more than ever. I'm also especially grateful to so many of you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and for loving our Brittanys! Take care and God Bless you always, John, Ann and ATB

ATB: Magnificent Obsession.

2011-06-20T23:43:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the First Day of the Rest of your Lives Mega Litter!!! xxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Tonight I'm not sure whether this is a beginning, an ending, an in-betweening or what tonight! It is the beginning of summer - that much I can say for sure. And what a glorious evening it is. I hear the crickets outside my window, something I love to hear. The sky is not fully darkened and there is still the faintness of the sunrise setting now somewhere in the west. The pups are settled and tucked in for the night. There is the hint of a calm assurance, a sense of contentment among ALL things Brittany. The last few nights we have been lulled to sleep by the sound of Miss Ruby Rose as she was introduced to sleeping in a crate. She actually did quite well over the past 72 hours. We clocked her 'vocalizing' (don't you love that word?!!) at 30 minutes into it. Then she began to taper off, slowly but surely. She slept from 11 pm through to 5:30 a.m. and no - I wasn't working the morning shift, not at all. But once John brought her back into the house he tossed her onto our bed and she very happily cuddled with me as I was surrounded by Molly, Treasure and Pippin. Tonight Miss Ruby Rose is sleeping in her new home with her new owners, just like the rest of the Mega litter are all doing. And yes. I do miss each and every precious little one.

It was an awesome day here beginning to end, in fact it was an absolutely wonderful weekend. From 9 a.m. throught 4:30 p.m Saturday our home was full of friends and family and of course - Brittanys ! Our daughter and her three children were up for the day as her oldest son wanted to fish with grampa down in the pond and fish they did - 2 Brook trout! It was Callums 'summer dream' as depicted in a picture he drew. And it came true! Maryann was busy in the kitchen most of the afternoon cooking up a storm for us! I love it when I have a chance to introduce them all - I think we have the best kids and grandchildren in the world! After all the pups went home - our son and his family all stopped by briefly. The last weekend of Spring 2011 was simply enjoyable for everyone for so many reasons, but especially so for those waiting arms that we gently placed a beautiful Brittany puppy in. Today, Monday - was an extension of this weekend of friends and family as not only Ruby's new owners were here but so was Dawn. And Dawn brought Miss Bailey 'home' to visit us here as well as have a chance to meet Pippin's pups and help me get some photos taken of them. She also brought puppy toys for all the babies! Speaking of bringing things, Marilyn brought lunch for all of us - home made pizza, a beautiful tossed salad, cupcakes for dessert and she even brought a gallon of a secret family recipe for mint ice tea! Marilyn and Roger also came bearing gifts - and we thank you for everything. In fact, we thank all of you who have opened your heart and homes to our Brittanys - whether now, in the past, or in the future.

And speaking of the future. I have tried very hard not to take away from either litter and over emphasize one over the other. It was appropriate that Dawn come and look at Pippin's pups today just at the same time as Molly and Scooby's last puppy left for her new home. Would I have timed things differently, and opted just for one litter? I don't know the answer. I suppose if I had not the experience behind me, behind us - and if we did not know what to expect from at least one of our 'girls'... we probably would not have had more than one. But there are people waiting even now for pups well into the future, which is indeed very humbling. So tonight I think of this journey with Pippin and Chevy's pups, a very new journey for us which is described in far greater detail on Pippins page. I think of how I am now in a position to decide about puppies myself. Is the timing right? If so, which pup? Male or female? Should I wait and see what happens with these pups? But if I wait - what if what if what if? I toss my pillows on the floor on top of a blanket and sit right down in the middle of the puppies just like usual. I swear these pups know I'm looking at them with very objective eyes - with eyes that must see clearly and not suffer from kennel blindness. Thanks to Dawns help and her opinion based on knowledge and experience as well as that of the co-owners/breeders of Chevy I will be able to see clearly. In a few more days, other friends will weigh in after visiting the pups here in person. And so I will begin to move from the transition of this past weekend into what truly can only be described as a paradigm shift - a shift into a truly magnificent new 'place' to be. I've got my marching orders... I'm listening... I'm watching... I'm trusting... and I'll be praying. John's leaving this one entirely up to me and I love that he is so okay with whatever decision I make. In the end it will be his opinion that is valued more highly than any other for this is a road we enjoy traveling together.

I had wanted to share a lot more about the title of this post. But suffice to say this is enough for one night. It will continue to all come together and of this I have no doubt. And there still is little time for catching my breath as now the club dog show sits there on the horizon - just a few days away! The need is strong to block out the months of July and August... it is stronger still to remember NONE of this is all about me but it is about ALL things Brittany. The simple pleasure of a muddy wet dog jumping up to greet me after he/she has been frog hunting is one I long for, the driveby looks of another who has no time to say hello/goodbye as they're on a mission only God knows what for, tossing a blanket on the ground to lay down and look up to the sky as the whirrrring of running dogs passes my head, the checking in of a pupster who's gone out of sight only briefly - and on and on and on. This is where I want to be and what I want to be doing in the weeks to come. Does a puppy fit into the scenery? I'm thinking it does. For all the right reasons. I know I'm not the only one with a uncertainty - there are a few others pondering similar questions, and those who are waiting to hear from me about it.

I"m not making sense and I just tipped my head down and snapped my neck as I'm writing... I think I better call it a day before it is tomorrow's yesterday! Here is the best way I have to explain how I'm feeling about this year and so many of 'you' which is found in Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." And that's the truth and I'm stickin' to it! Take care and God bless, John, Ann and All Things Brittany (No spell check too tired!)

ATB: You'll Be In My Heart, Always

2011-06-17T22:20:00.000-04:00

June 18th, 2011

The First Day of the Rest of Their Lives

Sire: J & A's Soaring White Sequoia of Acton

Dam: KJ's Ramblin' Molly Rose

Scooby & Molly Pups: Almost Time to Leave

2011-06-17T00:23:00.002-04:00

Never can say goodbye... no, indeed - we won't and we don't! Actually it's really all about saying HELLO! Hello, to (all together now) "THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!" From Saturday morning through Monday afternoon each of Scooby and Molly's beautiful Brittany pupsters will begin the wonderful adventure of their new life with some very special people who we have been handpicked just for them! Volhardts Puppy Aptitude Tests (P.A.T.) confirmed for us the level of social dominance, sound and touch sensitivity, sight sensitivy, retrieving ability, observation of initial birdiness, all inherent within each pup. In a similar way, each and every interaction we've had with our new puppy owners confirmed for us compatability not only with this amazing breed, but the pup(s) most suited for them. When a breeder "KNOWS" not only the parents, but the grandparents and great grandparents of their puppies personally AND when the breeder has spent hours observing and interacting with each pup the P.A.T. serves as a confirmation of what they already know to be true! I would like to see more breeders learn about Volhardt's P.A.T. testing.

The very first time I ever heard of it or saw it was when the breeders of Wish had pick pup of the same litter that Treasure was from 5 years ago (TREASURE!!! OH NO HUGE BRAIN CRAMP... Rabbit trail.... running in the direction of the fact that IT IS TREASURE's 5th BIRTHDAY TODAY.. well, by the time I've finished writing - it will hav been yesterday 'cuz it is 11:58 pm!!!! What a great dog owner I am, to forget one of my best girls birthday...ssshhhh don't tell...) Err...um yes indeed as I was saying, Phil and Sherry had pick pup male from Treasure's litter. Their whole family came over one Sunday afternoon and did all kinds of really cool things. As strangers to the litter, they waited for the pups to wake up and see their reactions to strangers. I can remember how calm and mellow they all were and Phil joking and saying "are you sure these are Brittanys?" Because it was a warm summer day we did the test outdoors. As they are NAVHDA breeders/trainers it was important to know the reaction of the pups to water including in the pool and also with a squirt gun!

Okay so I'm rambling and now it's after midnight, I haven't even checked out the new photos of Morgens beautiful litter that Dawn wrote and told me she'd posted! I have all our AKC paperwork filled out, contracts copied, have distributed the information helpful for the first few weeks home, everyone has given me their vet appointment dates and schedules for puppy training. Very exciting!! Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Friday will be one busy day as it's almost time for the pupsters to leave us. And tomorrow will be one very fun-filled day for the pups as they have their 4th and final interaction with birds.

I need to get to bed... take care and God bless - John, Ann & ATB ( no spellcheck tonight, doin' it tomorrow!)

A Day In the Life & Other Musings

2011-06-15T18:02:00.005-04:00

Beautiful Gift Basket of Ohio Specialties Included Treats for the Crew!

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Just coming away from spending several delightful hours with puppies. As you may imagine right now is extremely busy and the 'must do' list seems never ending as new things are added frequently. Even so, you will rarely if ever find me complaining although it's absolutely true John and I both find ourselves exhausted at the end of some very long day. The need for human interaction is the greatest it has ever been for Molly and Scooby's pups right now. Pippin's pups are transitioning and coming into their own. This all translates to spending hours with the pups, coming up with new and innovative ways to stimulate their curiosity and lay foundations for learning and for training. Equally as important of course is making sure where ever they happen to be hanging out at the moment is clean and sanitary. This is not as easy a task as one may think. Although some pups do get the hang 'somewhat' of going to the bathroom in one certain area - not all of them do. Just when we thought the Mega litter understood the whole concept, we found all of the pups sound asleep, cuddled up sweetly close to each other - in the middle of the frame with the shavings! Sweet indeed! I discovered yesterday they also had also pooped on top of a pile of their toys. Nice. The scene is repeated several times a day and puppy laundry supersedes people laundry - this fact was proven much to my embarrassment yesterday when Maggie wandered into our laundry room while Deb and John were here and climbed on top of my ever growing Mt. Everest of laundry and dragged my Woolwich shirt and Jacks blanket across the den floor. Thanks Maggie. Frequent baths in the sink or frequent touch ups with "Bath in A Bottle" are the order of the day for the older pups whose 3 square meals a day means in one end and out the other. I don't know why I apologize for dog poop... maybe because I hate seeing pups with dried feces on them and/or yellow stains on them. Not to say our puppies do not roll in their own - but I just prefer to keep their living areas as clean as possible. On the rare occasions when BOTH John and I need to be away payback is truly - a bitch (word for female dogs).

So, it's been rainy and the lawn hadn't been mowed, and the land mines courtesy of ATB enjoying our fully fenced in property had not been removed - or in other words 'no scoop poop for you.' I have been to places where dogs are raised and had to dodge multiple piles of land mines - unacceptable and no excuse. Please scoop poop on a regular basis. We may miss a few but it's not intentional. The most difficult part is in the spring after the snow has melted. Sure we try to get out and pick them up but when there is about 3 feet of snow it's a little difficult. And don't ask me about yellow grass. I use to think if what covered the yard was at least all green we were good. Not so much anymore.

Being retired means kicking back. Well to me that means I get to wear t-shirts and sweatpants (do they still call them that) or other, ahem..'comfortable' clothing. I get to wear them morning to night. Better yet, I get to wear my comfortable pajamas all day if I want. Thank goodness for trips to the vets, dog events, group meetings and a steady flow of people interested in meeting the ATB crew - I actually will wear earrings, makeup, and dress 'up' a little. Yes, when you come to visit - I'm dressed up - believe it or not LOL! Gotta love it. Seriously though, what good does it do to put something nice on if all I am going to do all day is hang with the dogs (and John too of course). I'm going to get paw prints on me when at least two of the crew visit me up close and personal and it will be much worse than that if we're all down to the pond together. Tromping in the woods, sitting at the pond, playing in the yard - it's all about dogs. Don't get me wrong - I do have a wardrobe of very nice suits, slack sets, and dressy clothes. Not left over from my administrative assistant days at USNH. (Are you kidding me? They all shrunk years ago.) Nope. My dressy and formal wardrobe is reserved exclusively for showing our dogs.

Speaking of a formal wardrobe. When I was working (a gazillion centuries ago) I enjoyed color coordinating my clothing based on my hair color and skin tone. My 'season' was cool winter so the jewel colors were what I was supposed to wear. And I LOVE purple, royal blue, deep teal. But those colors do not work when showing our dogs, not at all. Now I have to select colors based on what good looks in the background of whatever dog I am showing. When I first began showing I scoured the free magazines distributed at the dog shows to see what colors the professional handlers wore while posing with dogs in similar colors to ours. And just imagine - I really should not wear the same color with Treasure as I would wear with Pippin or True. Yup. And most of the time that means I have to wear formal outfits that are of the warm summer color palette. Sigh.

TRUE BECOMING A TEEN AGER??
Puberty for male dogs? Maybe. 7 years is equal to a humans 1 year so they say and True will be 2 year old this fall. I think that True is coming into his own as he's tried to challenge his uncle Scooby lately, something that is not tolerated here. The boys all get along together very well. They train and hunt together and often are at events with each other and with other boys. Each of them sufficiently understands the correct way to communicate with another dog and recognizes the signs of proper greeting and reaction. And John and I have very definite guidelines about what is acceptable - something our boys especially understand.

So this reminds me that we place a lot of importance on our new puppy owners to attend basic puppy classes. It's an important part of socialization. As dog owners and leaders in the family we do need to be able to recognize and/or learn what is typical when one dog meets another dog. If you are respected in your family (pack) by your dog, a sharp and quick, suitable correction for behavior you will absolutely not tolerate is needed. Never let a puppy learn that it is acceptable to do something you do not want them to do when they are an adult. It's a lot easy to teach them right from wrong when they are kids. Just like teenagers. If parents do not correct and discipline their children when they are toddlers, that child will be 10X likely to really have problems when older. Number one rule in every house with a dog - humans will be respected and obeyed. Dogs are not the leader/boss of the humans. If you let that happen it will be an unfortunate situation for the entire family. Don't set your puppy up to fail - set them up to succeed. Take a lesson from how momma dog corrects an older pup. It doesn't mean to walk around and be a bully or be mean to pup - but it does mean to give them the guidelines they are looking to you for. When your pup slows down long enough and sits down to look into your face - they are hungry to be taught something. There is a window of opportunity awaiting every new puppy owner while their little brains are like sponges, ready to soak up as much as you can possible teach them. The affection is a given and each pup will show it in their own way. They are not little cuddly toys to baby and fondle. Brittany pups are highly intelligent and need jobs. Fun jobs that don't seem like work! You've seen our recommended reading in the right column including those we request new puppy owners read and keep on hand. Here is a link with another great list of books on dog training, some of which we have listed as well RECOMMENDED READING LIST. Be sure to check it out. There is one book I have that Tenzing's owner, Helen gave as a gift to me. I have loaned it out and cannot for the life of me remember the title but when I do I'll be sure to add it to our list here. By the way young Tenzing has been in training since a pup for Agility trials - I'm looking forward to when he one day participates in one!

UNSUCCESSFUL PHOTO SHOOT
I tried to take some decent photos and some video of posing Pippin and Chevy's pups. It came out more like how NOT to take picture and video posing 5 week old pups. Maybe I'll put it together anyway. I will say I'm getting much closer to determining which pup will remain here as J & A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton "Magnum". We are also getting closer to determining where the rest of litter will go and appreciate the interest that there is in them. Thank you for your patience in waiting with us and those who have contacted us will hear from us again soon. It's all very exciting of course. The big pups interact with close supervision with the little ones. They play very nicely at first but then the older babies try to strut their stuff. This encourages their "playmates" to also strut their stuff with pint size challenges, which doesn't quite work out to their benefit and up and out the big pups go.

BLESSING FROM OHIO
I don't want to leave out the wonderful visit we had yesterday with Maggie's new owners who came to us all the way from Ohio. They came bearing a beautiful gift basket filled to overflowing with very special items that came from Ohio itself. There were cheeses and wine made from the Amish there. Very special chocolates, snacks, information about Ohio, and so many other things. They even brought dog treats that are named Scooby Doo treats!!!! And Maggie was her absolutely delightful, outgoing, personable self. I was so proud of her as I showed how well she has grasped the concept of clicker training. Maggie put on a show and even offered laying down as a behavior for a click and a treat. Training a young pup to lay down on it's own is no easy feat - especially a 7 week old pup. I'm happy that her new family is getting a chance to unwind and enjoy some R&R in nearby New Hampshire. We will see them again this weekend when they return to take their sweet little girl home. We don't ever expect such generosity to be extended to us when people visit and are very humbled and appreciative when it is. I am reminded of so many who have and continue to bless us with their thoughtfulness... and to say thank you just simply doesn't seem adequate.

PUPS TO THE VET
Tomorrow is a big day for Maggie, Ruby (May), Benny, Flower, Blossom, and Veronica as they go for their well puppy exam, health certificate, and first set of puppy shots. Have I mentioned I love our vets at Broadview? As I've said before, I suppose we could do all of that here ourselves and save some money. But my experience is that our vets are well prepared to send our pups on their way with a clean bill of health without issue. I feel like it's more ethical and responsible to do this and wouldn't have it any other way. I understand the mindset that fears young pups picking up 'something' at the vets. But the fact of the matter is they can pick something up ANYWHERE even when least expected.

Need to stop rambling - there is a lively crew of Brittanys in and outside of the house at the moment who would like to spend some time romping pond side. My pleasure.

Take care and God bless and as always we so appreciate your interest in ATB! John, Ann and the crew

Final Selection - Molly & Scooby Pups!

2011-06-13T12:45:00.001-04:00

Please CLICK on the thumbnail to enlarge the photo above.

I'm really pleased to share the results of our recommendations for final selection of Molly & Scooby's pups. As shared previously on a recent blog about the P.A.T.'s we have taken the time to get to know each and every pup very well. Usually the hardest part of week 7 into week 8 is the look on the faces of each pup when I play with them. The expression in their eyes seems to be saying "Isn't there something more?" And indeed my sweet little puppies there is SO very much more. I wish they could understand how much they are already desired and loved by those of you listed above who have been waiting for the first day of the rest of their lives to begin.

John and I love getting to know the families who will welcome our pups into their lives and thus become an extended part of our ATB family here. Already the threads of wonderful friendships have been woven into our lives. And I appreciate that each of 'you' have been accepting of our recommendations concerning puppy selections. I think now you know why we say fall in love with all of them when you come to visit us, and let us know if you have a couple of favorites. Puppy selection is not always easy depending on the reason for wanting a puppy. All responsible breeders and responsible new puppy owners understand that there is a lot more to picking out a puppy than the way it looks or appeals. Lifestyles, activities, expectations are what come into play as we consider the personalities and behaviors. I've shared about all of this often here and will continue to do so as long as we continue with our breeding program.

This journey is not ending with Molly and Scooby's pups - not at all! In fact it is just about to begin as each puppy leaves here. One week from today they will all be with their new owners. We couldn't be happier and I think the feeling will be mutual for pups and new families alike. We have done our very best from planning this litter of pups, to taking time to find the perfect home for each of them, and to be sure that the most excellent foundation we can provide has been laid for them these past nearly 8 weeks. And yes, now the responsibility to continue rests in your very capable hands. Everything we've talked about, shared, all the information, homework and more - all that STUFF that's transpired since our first contact have been to prepare you all for this special day. You're not going to fail. Pup won't let you down in your expectations.  You've been waiting for this new addition to your family and you are ready. Otherwise - do you really think we'd let pup go with you?!!??? Just kidding - well, sort of kidding but I like to think we too have done our homework behind the scenes! And I will confess - the prepared meals, homemade desserts, thoughtful gifts, and extra dog treats for the rest of the crew help too - Just kidding again sort of!! But seriously it all shows your thoughtfulness and we appreciate that. You're not just getting a dog. You're entering into a partnership of sorts with us - because we're always ALWAYS going to want to hear from you. What has been neat too is how Wayne and Barb came to the field trial and hung out with several of our friends. I like too that Roger and Marilyn not only came to a few dog shows over the past 7 months, but also hooked up with John at the hunt tests and field trials. I'm happy to know that Bruce and Susan have connected with NAVHDA friends Blaine and Patti Carter, and that I learned 2 pups of ours are already enjoying this summers clinic. I think it's so cool to know that our Jack Dog is a half brother to Candis' precious Maisey who passed away last fall. Not only that that but Doug and Nancy's well loved and missed Brittany was also related to our dogs here through his sire. There is a connection of like minded faith among several of us which really is awesome, especially with John and Deb coming to us all the way from Ohio. And I could go on.

My only regret is that I cannot stay in touch as frequently and as personally as I would love to do with absolutely EVERYONE! But most of you seem to understand that and it's okay. This is where the ATB Blog and Facebook page really play a big role for me as we can stay in touch that way.

Several of you ask frequently about Pippin and Chevy's pups. I assure you we're working with potential new owners of their pups and there will be so much more news shared about them in the weeks to come, weeks that are also flying by. There are at least 2 destined for competitive homes, and this evening we will meet a new family from nearby Windham Maine. I already feel very good about this visit.  These pups will go home just in time for the 4th of July and then things may slow down a little here in respect to our program. John and I are literally going to take the month of July and August off and have very little activity (Ha - we'll see!) here. We need to slow down, catch our breath, and have the time to work together with the dogs - something we really both enjoy so much. I do so enjoy blogging and photography so it's likely this will remain active.

I will divulge a bit of information about Pippin and Chevy's pups - it is highly likely we will be adding a pup to our program here and if a boy - he will called J & A's Magnificent Obsession - with the call name "Magnum".   There's quite a story behind my choice of this name!

I hear puppies waking up from a morning nap - time to play!
Take care and God bless and THANK you a million times over!!! John, Ann and ATB

June 13 ATB BIRTHDAYS

2011-06-13T09:50:00.002-04:00

Happy 3rd Birthday to J & A's Wish Upon A Shooting Starr, J & A's Buddy Boy of Scotland Yard, J & A's Wylee, & J & A's Nellie, Midnight, & BB who share a birthdate with their uncle J & A's Apple Jack of Acton, Lady Annie Shayapplin, Molly Dew Girl, Jake, and Shogun who turn 6 today!!!

6/13/05
Sire: Pride & Joy's Bunch of Butch
Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon A Star

6/13/08
Sire: FC/AFC Coos Rylee
Dam: Birch Springs Wish Upon A Star

NEW VIDEO: Chevy & Pippin's 4.5 Week Old Pups / OVER THE TOP!

2011-06-12T17:44:00.002-04:00

First Day of the Rest of Their Life - 1 Week Away

2011-06-11T20:20:00.007-04:00

Thank you Pam for the use of your Android to take these photos today.

Click on this thumbnail for a full size photo. Are they not beautiful!!!????
(UPDATE: CAMERA FOUND!)

Beautiful Mega Litter of Scooby Doo and Molly Rose

We're all thinking the same thing as we exclaim we cannot believe how quickly the time has passed with Molly and Scooby's "Mega Litter". Well it's true! Time absolutely has passed faster than we could have imagined. Oh, it didn't feel that way at first because we of the months waiting for the anticipated heat cycle for this planned and purposeful breeding. Then we waited again to confirm whether there was a viable pregnancy or not. When we finally were able to confirm that Molly was indeed expecting with Scooby's pups, then another waiting period began as we looked towards Day 63 and watched Molly's temperature and behavior. We waited to see how many pups were born, and then waited while Molly naturally whelped 6 gorgeous and healthy beautiful new Brittany pups the day before Easter. You all waited to hear from us as we spent Easter at the Maine Emergency Clinic due a mispositioned, oversize pup which resulted in dystocia - and an emergency c-section and spay for Molly. (See "When Things Go Wrong.") We all waited together for Molly's recovery and through the first critical 72 hours of the pups existence. And by the Grace of God everything from that point on has proceeded perfectly and without issue. Bringing us to this place of the dawn of a brand new horizon, a new day, a new beginning with (for you who are waiting) a brand new beautiful puppy soon to begin the first day of the rest of their life, a day in most instances to begin 1 week from today.

Do you have any idea how much I have enjoyed getting ready for that day? How wonderful it has been to get to know 6 new families, spend time communicating, visiting, sharing, and so much more? Oh and have we ever been spoiled! Gifts, cards, treats, meals, thoughtful deeds and wonderful caring ways showered upon us. Sharing the love of this breed and very often sharing the love of God, but always sharing a part of you, a part of me, a part of John, a part of ATB. Your family and friends are becoming a part of our life too simply because of your joy about your new puppy! I'm blessed I really am and I don't use that word lightly, not like when someone sneezes and you say "God bless you!" Although that's important too.. .I'm talking about the kind of wonderful and unbelievable way things kind of just come together. And they sure have done that. I'm not bashful about letting anyone know about my faith but I also don't think I'm what you'd call 'religious' or shoving those beliefs of mine down any one's throat. You may not always see evidence of my beliefs or depth of faith, but it's strong. Suffice to say, getting to know so many of you - not just through this litter of pups - but for quite awhile now - has changed our life, our outlook as believe it or not - WE have been on the receiving end of your encouragement, support, friendship and more. Okay - I just had to say all of that stuff... thank you for letting John into your lives and making more about ' the love of the dog both given and received' than we could have ever imagined.

Today's Puppy Aptitude Tests (P.A.T) went very well. I was very happy to be able to do it exactly on Day 49. Pam came down for the afternoon and conducted the tests with each individual puppy while John and I observed and took notes. Conducted by someone who the pups do not know in an area they are not overly familiar with the goal is to (once again) learn about each pup by observing the most natural raw and basic reaction to various stimulus. There is no sense of pass/fail with the P.A.T. more a sense of confirming what we have already identified in the pups over the past 7 weeks. It's not a formal evaluation for structure but structure is an important part of it. So herein lies a mystery. The one pup who I thought would be the most resistant to the social dominance exercise, when the pup is placed on their back and gently held there for 30 seconds, showed the least resistance! (New puppy owners will get the particulars as selections are confirmed in the next few days.) 6 out of 6 pups retrieved the object that Pam tossed. Most readily chased and brought it back to her. A couple thought they may like to take the object over to the corner first but they all brought it back and released it. I am not surprised - look at their father's strong retrieving skills! 6 out of 6 pups showed definite birdiness but some were more extremely interested than others. We enjoyed sight pointing a pheasant wing; this was not for scent but for sight sensitivity - we just like to use a wing because, well - we ARE for the most part breeding gun dogs here. All of the pups loved interacting with Pam, there were a couple that were polite with her but made it clear life offers much a whole lot more to explore - so no time to say hello or goodbye - they explored every inch, nook, and cranny of the enclosed area. And that's what you hope hunting dogs will do. Sound sensitivity. Clanging two cooking pot covers together without the pups looking at you. Of course you want some kind of reaction but it's the kind of reaction that matters. 6 out of 6 stood still and listened and 6 out of 6 looked to see where the sound was coming from and 4 of 6 walked towards the sound to investigate - the 2 others were like "ho-hum". Just what you want pups who will eventually be shot over to do.

This last week is the most important week of all. The pups will come to live in the house full time, in the middle of the kitchen in the x-pen, together. They've been sleeping in a crate with the door open, they have explored their world indoors and outdoors and explored the house one on one. They will have opportunities to play with all the big dogs. They have already been introduced to the puppies and most of the adults. And life will be very busy and very crazy but very fun and very happy. I have not exagerrated when I've said these are perhaps the most comical litter of pups ever. Our family and friends will interact with the pups. We will not set them up to fail by having free range of the house. Let's be reasonable. But they will bond with humans completely and irrevocably!

As to puppy selection - most of you have left this up to John and I while letting us know of a pup or two that caught your eye. There were few surprises in that I have described traits of Molly's pups all along as well as sharing all about Scooby. Independent, intelligent, highly active and inquisitive - this is the composition of this litter. These pups will not be couch potatoes by a long shot. Each of them requires a structured schedule full of opportunity to learn, grow, develop, explore and above all they must be trained to know what is expected of them. Those who are getting a pup from this litter know this and have assured us that is the case. Some of these puppies will always be willing to be cuddled, held and openly show their affection - and there will be others who will want very little to do with that until they are exhausted and there is nothing else to but curl up with you. They are all loving, they are all of wonderful dispositions, they are all beautiful and they are all going to look to their new owners for guidance, leadership and the feeling that they are loved, wanted and desired as part of their new family. I need to be honest though. I've shared the video of the early morning howling, talked about the Scotland Yard howling 101 Dalmations style, told you how Timber used to woof "Rye Ruff Rue", and mentioned that both Molly and Scooby are talkative. Did I tell you that according to Martha Gorman of Coos Kennels - their AFC/FC Coos Rylee who sired Timber ALSO is very talkative, still? Well, um... err... let's just say the potential is great for vocalizing actual syllables from several of these pups too. NOT that I have heard them "talk" or anything like that....yet.

I think there is only 1, maybe 2 which are not going to be hunted but I'm thrilled to know there is an interest in field trials and hunt tests even with the non-hunters! One is destined for agility - oh boy - take 4 large puppy saucers, lay them upside down in a small corridor, toss a ball from one end and you will learn quickly who is agile and confident! There will be a pup who will help with therapy - probably when she's older. And last but not least, although no one is specifically requesting a prospective show dog - there definitely are those in the litter who could be. But we're not primarily about breeding Brittanys to see how many we can get into the ring. We are primarily about breeding quality, proven Brittanys to meet the needs of the upland game hunter, who also want a loving family companion. You probably know all of this by now if you regularly read this blog but if not, there's more detail on the Maine Brittany site link.

And so ends Day 49, a critical day in the life of any puppy. I believe we have served ours well, they surely have brought untold joy and happiness into this day. Yesterday ended with each puppy (Pippins included) falling asleep one by one in my arms. I make this happen with the older pups at this point in time. The last puppy to do so last night was Benny. I gazed into his eyes and suddenly it occurred to me - I am looking into the face of my dear sweet Timberdoodles grandson - his ONLY grandson. Benny's eyes, the shape of his head, and his sweet expression spoke to me of the little puppy named Timber I once held close at a similar age. The light was low, classical music playing, and Benny and I just looked at each other. I cradled him close to me, he kissed my face. Sweet little boy. Then I learned something very special today. His new owners, Barb and Wayne, wrote to say that his proper name will be Benedict - because that word means "Blessing". Indeed. The love affair between Benny, Veronica, May, Meg, Flower, and Blossom has gone full circle in my eyes and touched my heart. I have poured all my love (as has John) into them, and know they will leave here to bring so much happiness to their new owners. The majority of new owners of this litter are welcoming their puppy into a heart that has been lonely and aching for a senior Brittany lost within the last year. How appropriate that they be Timbers grand puppies - from Molly's last litter and Scooby's very first.

Thanks for listening to my rambling... and for your interest in ATB. Looks like most pick up times are confirmed but I'll send out one final update. WOW... Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

A Winners Creed

2011-06-10T08:53:00.003-04:00

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don';

If you'd like to win, but think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost.

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a person's faith;

It's all in the state of mind.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster hand;

The go to the one who trusts in God

And ALWAYS thinks "I CAN."

Author Unknown

I discovered 'A Winners Creed' on the back of our church's worship service bulletin years ago. It spoke to my heart of encouragement so I cut it out and pasted it on the 'fridge where it remained for quite some time until it eventually was taken down and 'filed' away. Just the other day it surfaced again, and as is often the case with God's mysterious ways, it surfaced 'just in time'. I've given it a place of prominence where I can glance quickly at the words and be reminded once again of the benefit of trusting and having faith in God. Maybe it's a "good Word" for many others today too! Take care and God bless, John, Ann and All Things Brittany.

There Is Strength And A Stronghold In Walking With God.

Proverbs 10:29

Happiness is... Beautiful Brittanys!

2011-06-09T00:10:00.003-04:00

Updated: Thursday June 9, 2011 (2 photos, 2 updates)

The Mega Litter - 6.5 weeks old

Scooby & Molly's pups

They deserve all the time and attention that I can give them right now. In this heat it is difficult to keep them calm and comfortable but we have worked out a really nice schedule for all concerned. It may mean later nights and earlier mornings but I'm trying to plan specific necessary socialization activities for them. Some breeders look to the end of the 8 weeks of puppies with a sigh of relief, thinking it is time for them to leave. I look at each puppy and wonder if I have done all I could possible do to prepare them for the first day of the rest of their lives spent with humans. It is a sacrifice in some ways but why have puppies in the first place if you can't give them the time they need in the way that they need it most? The last two weeks are truly the most taxing and demanding but they can also be the most rewarding and fulfilling all the way around. When I approach the pups now the majority of them will sit down and make eye contact. I have been clicker training them based on their level of readiness. I learned that you cannot prescribe one method of clicker training a litter and expect it to work the same way each time. I did start out in hopes of being able to chronicle the clicker training but the demand for perfect timing in the process made it too challenging for me to keep up with the video and processing of it. But it's all in the eyes now... and these eyes are familiar eyes of Molly, of Scooby, and of Timber that look back at me. I love these puppies very, very much. This weekend they will undergo the PAT evaluations with the help of our dear friend Pam who has assisted us several times now along with Julie. Julie will be at a Flyball tournament with Sassy and we'll miss her but will wish her luck and a wonderful fun time!

Pippin & Chevy's Pups - 4 wks 1 day old

ATB TRIVIA: I've had a couple of conversations lately with people which might indicate the reason we nicknamed Tank was due to his size - that's not true because Tank is not a big puppy! He ended up being called Tank because the nick name John selected is the same one I will use for a male pup in the very near future. I didn't want to be calling Tank by that name because it would have made it difficult to objective in considering each and every magnificent pup in this litter! John gave me his list of suggested nicknames and I ruled out a few including my preference for a boy pup permanent call name. Tank is the next to the largest pup in this litter - but he is still smaller than a majority of pups we've had before. What is interesting is that the combined overall and average weight of Pippin and Chevy's litter of puppies is lower than our smallest pups in the past. Very very nice size pups at 4 weeks as a matter of fact. Those familiar with our breeding program for awhile know that this indicates we are continuing to meet our breeding goals. Like other breeders concerned with size issues in our breed such as under and/or over size I prefer a Brittany's height to be in the mid to high range, without going over. That's just my personal preference for all the right reasons! I will be posting more formal photos of each pup in Chevy & Pippin's litter in hopes of getting some feedback and recommendations. At least two of these pups will be in competitive field/show homes and expected to participate in the 2013 American Brittany Club Futurities! In the meantime, we are enjoying getting to know these pups who have already and once again, stolen our hearts.

Pippin & Chevy Pups: 4 weeks old already!

2011-06-06T22:13:00.001-04:00

Click to see full size picture!

Well, in anticipation of several pups from this litter potentially bound for the show ring as well as the field I have started to work with posing them. What I have discovered is that very little effort is required to have them stand square in most instances. If by the way they stand they let me know it's too early to expect them to stand still for more than a few seconds that is just fine with me and they can sit or move or whatever. I have also observed them running around the puppy pen and I'm so surprised to see the coordination they demonstrate at such an early age. These babies are simply loves and I am enjoying seeing so many 'new' things in them. I have pulled out pictures of Pippin at this age and the one thing I remember was how I could not get over how perfectly square she was, she was shaped like a little box! I am seeing this in her puppies here with Chevy too.

I do not think I'm going to be able to stay on top of my frequent updates here though. I shall try but if I can't write at least I'll keep the photos and videos coming! Take care and God bless, and as always thank you so much for your ongoing interest and support of ATB!!! We do appreciate it! John, Ann and our canine crew

Monday Morning Reflections / Ode to Breeders

2011-06-06T10:03:00.002-04:00

" ...Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others... C.D. Larson"
‎"...I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel...Maya Angelou”

I don't do mornings. But I will make exceptions. This Monday morning is one of them. The sky is blue with only a few scattered clouds. Although I think it's too early for them the crickets are chirping right outside of my window. An occasional rooster crows from somewhere beyond, he is certainly not a resident here. A car or a truck passes by occasionally as traffic has begun to pick up since Memorial Day. I am not sure but I think it is True who has determined that this is a morning to sing praises. Every once in awhile I'll hear his attempt at a solo resound through the backyard. Yes, he hunkered down and spent the evening in the comfort of the dog house along with Piper, Rose, and Scooby while Treasure and Jack enjoyed the comfort of the people house. Pippin and Molly settled down nearby their pups in their subsequent areas. John left early this morning to enjoy coffee with his brother and to help him and vice versa. I have had my own coffee, checked email (only 2906 unread - yikes!), gleaned over Facebook and offered a comment or two, liking several friend's pictures and posts, while listening to music by Jim Brickman, Phillip Yon, and other instrumentalists in the background. It is the calm before a busy day - actually before a busy week! And I am doing this Monday morning just fine.

Looking ahead on the calendar I note that we have a puppy visit planned for tomorrow with a Maine couple I'm looking forward to meeting. Our remaining pup from Molly and Scooby's litter will most likely join their family in just a couple of weeks. It is a long story but a friend of a friend recommended them to us. Actually, it was a friend of ours who passed of throat cancer a few years ago - something which still saddens me deeply to think of. The All Things Brittany family circle experiences it's share of grief as well as times of great joy. I should like to see less of the former and more of the latter (gee I hope I have aligned those terms correctly.)

The Central Maine Brittany Club Designated Specialty show is coming up later this month too, during a 4 day cluster. I enjoy serving as Show VP for this event and feel confident everything is coming together well. The entries look to be plentiful and I always look forward to seeing the Brittany exhibitors bring their beautiful animals to Maine. A couple of years ago here it was Chevy (sire of Pippin's pups) who actually won Best in Show! I admired him from afar when Pippin was a little over a year old and it was Shania's great grandmother Charlotte who called me aside and told me' now THAT dog is who you should breed Pippin too when the time comes!' Actually that moment in time for Chevy and his handler Jenny Kreiger was captured and uploaded it to YouTube. Speaking of Chevy, one of his co-owners Nancy Morabito indicated I had left off some of the important titles of the Brittanys behind Chevy on the hypothetical pedigree posted on Pippins page of the Maine Brittany Site. I am going to give her a call so we can review it together and I can fill in any missing pieces.

Our 2011 breeding program is winding down. It has been a remarkable year and a very busy one. Our first litter arrived a full year after our most recent litter and it was a much anticipated repeat breeding between Treasure and Gibson. 9 of 11 pups in the first litter were hunted and/or participated in field events through AKC and NAVHDA. And my True puppy, has earned his Junior Hunter title, has 1 leg of Senior Hunter, just earned his first 4 show points towards his bench title, and also placed 3rd in our clubs Open Derby field trial stake. Not too shabby. His full sister Brandi won a NAVHDA Prize 1 with 108 for a score (out of 112). All of those pups have more than met our expectations, including that of being a great pet! So a repeat breeding was obvious and the potential for all of the new litter is equal to that of the first, including another pup who will be entering the show ring. As we thought of the rest of the year we received the OFA results back of Scooby, who is OFA good. With a desire to prove him as a stud dog, to continue with the consistency from his mother Wish, and to meet our ever growing list of gun dog puppy requests we decided to breed Scooby to Molly. Knowing exactly what to expect with Molly we knew it would be easy to identify Scooby's strengths as a producer of family hunting companions. These efforts were rewarded when their 6 beautiful puppies were born the day before Easter although not without risk to Molly as an emergency c-section was performed due to dystocia. (See When Things Go Wrong) . We thank God that she is well recovered and healthy, and spayed. All of these pups have been spoken for and as usual quite a lot of screening has gone one. It is hard sometimes to know when timing is right for a certain pup to be offered to someone who has been waiting. But again our ATB family continues to grow and reach out, often even to each other. (Someone likened it to a cult in the most positive light hearted sense of the word. I like to think of it as a ministry, after all - before ATB I was studying for ministry credentials!!!) To continue on with the reflection and look back we had planned to breed Pippin to Chevy @ her 3rd birthday. She timed things perfectly so that trips to visit Chevy in New Jersey could be coordinated with visits here from a family living close to another breeder who also was using Chevy and a mutual transportation plan was arrived at! We picked Pippin up at the March Sporting Group shows and the rest is history. Things are being handled quite different in regards to puppy selection and placement of Pippin and Chevy pups. Not all will be sold, and several will be placed. As they continue to grow and develop I do have a very serious decision to make and this is one John will leave up to me (ha - so he says!). Although the 2011 breeding program here is coming to an end, it never really concludes especially in the case of making a decision to keep a pup for our program. For our goals. For our purposes. For our hopes. For our dreams. For the betterment first of our own program here, and then for the betterment of the breed itself. And for the love of the dog, both given and received, naturally. We have already enjoyed getting to know several new inquiries who are looking for a new Brittany puppy in 2012, and even a couple of our current puppy owners are ready to add a 2nd Brittany to their family. We will breed Treasure one last time for puppies to be born in 2012. And pending evaluations and health clearances will probably breed True and Piper together, son of Treasure and daughter of Jack. There are other litters planned using Brittanys from our program, just not owned by John and I.

In a little less than a month, there will no longer be 2 litters of beautiful Brittany pups to consume my waking moments and take up some of my sleeping ones. There will be no yipping yapping woofing happy little greetings just to see me come near. No little pups to tag along as I clean up and do chores here at ATB. No more "oh my gosh, I JUST cleaned your pen!!" or "look at you, you are covered in poop", or running after a pup headed for the woods. No more sitting on the floor in the middle of a pile of happy and joyful little Brittany pups clamoring over me, kissing and biting, and eventually settling down to a nap on my lap. These actions and behaviors plus several others have been the pure expectations of every day of my life since January in one way or another. It will be awhile before they come again. I shall enjoy times of solitude and rest, but I usually find a way to do just that anyway - even if briefly. When I have complained about being exhausted, Dr. Chapin who is one of our vets at Broadview Animal Hospital chides and humors me by saying "Ann, you brought this all on yourself!" Yes. Dr. Chapin is right. Because it's what's breeders do. Which leads me to share what seems to be the perfect way to draw this blog post to a close. From the Maine Brittany Site posted with permission from the author called Ode To Breeders.

Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann, and All things Brittany