All Things Treasure

Thursday, March 5
Today we prepared the whelping area for Treasure. I say "we", in reality it was John. As he carried in the whelping box, he lovingly spoke to Rosie who was watching and said "that's your cradle, Rose, you were the first one born in it!" He's right. That was 4 years ago on April 2, 2005. Our first litter in 15 years! Treasure watched John and I getting things ready, and she was quite interested. When we brought down the 'puppy basket', she sniffed it inside and out... she knows what that is for, and now it will be used for her babies. I put her blanket in the carpeted whelping box and tossed a few treats inside. Treasure happily went in, found the treats, then scooped the blanket up under her chest, went round and round in a circle, and lay down. We moved Wish in with son Scooby, Pippin in with mother Chris and of course - Rose and Molly are together. The rotation of housedogs will continue once Molly's heat is finished. No Jack for you Molly, LOL!

We have the surveillance camera/monitor hooked up now so when we're in the house, we can see the girl. This is going to be harder for me than Treasure... She doesn't mind being in the 'dog house' - after all it's heated with the pellet stove, has music playing, and is very warm and cozy. But I mind not having her by my side. Yet what matters now is that Treasure's natural, animal and maternal instincts come into play. We'll be there nearby a lot, on the couch, watching t.v., working, and/or listening to music. As the day draws closer, when signs begin to be clear, I will move my sleeping bag and pillow in, using the cot, spend nights with her as needed.

The next few weeks are all about Treasure and her pups. PERIOD. We have been to Augusta, testified, lobbied and worked hard the past few months. But now... the world of politics will just go on without us, as we settle into what it most important... There's a key bill coming up in the legislature which scares the daylights out of me. I will have to trust that our best interests as a responsible dog owner with multiple dogs, and as hobby breeders - there will be those who we can trust to protect our rights.

Above all, we do know God is in control. Always and forever, this is true. And we thank Him for our lives, our family, our friends, and of course, for all Things Brittany.