Central New England Brittany Club Award for "Bailey"

Sharing Baileys most recent accolades as demonstrated by the above Certificate of Accomplishment recently presented to her owners Paul and Dawn Hill by the Central New England Club.  Miss Bailey was 15 months old in December when she won first place win in that club's Member Day Juvenile Stakes field trial competition.  Bailey is out of Chrissy and Jack and is well loved by her entire family.  Show and field pointed, we appreciate all that Dawn and Paul continue to do with her, especially giving her ample opportunities to do what she was born for - HUNT!  Thanks for sharing this with us!

Molly and Jacks pups - almost 4 weeks old

We had such a great day yesterday.  Pam and Sam came down with Gibson and Paris.  John and Sam went ice fishing for several hours leaving Pam and I to catch up with each other, enjoy the pups, and simply kick back and relax.  Although the guys didn't catch any fish, they also had a good time and we sat around the table later sharing a supper of  baked beans, grilled ham, cole slaw, pickles, crusty bread, and desert.  

John and I always say that we think the dogs remember each other when they come visit, especially those from the same family.  Well there was no mistaking Treasure and Gibson's fond memories as they raced playfully around the yard together!  True joined in the fun and I actually snapped a few photos of Treasure, Gibson and True together.  I knew True looked like his father but yesterday it was so evident.  True is like a mini version of Gibby!  Paris was her usual beautiful 'self' and quickly fit in with Piper and Treasure. True loved being with Pam and vice versa.  She has such a nice way with all dogs, patient and easily trains them to learn new things.  I've learnd so much about showing from her.   Jack also thought Paris was very prettty... and even tried on her pretty pink new harness, we have photos to show his more feminine side (NO John was not home at the time.)  Pam and I spent time with the puppies who are only awake for about 20 minutes at a time.  I love the interaction of puppies and Pam because she truly loves them and vice versa.  In a couple of weeks she and Sam will come back and help us with the P.A.T. (Puppy Aptitude Test) as well as we hope Jim and Julie will join us too.  We take the evaluation process of all our pups very seriously.  I'm especially looking forward to comparing the development of these pups with Jack and Molly's 2008 litter. 

We've started to make plans for puppy visits with those who are going to welcome these young Brittany babies into their lives and homes.  This is always one of my favorite times too.  Especially when we have repeat customers which is the situation with several of these pups. And we get to meet some new people that we've been working with.  

The pups are crawling up and over the whelping box.  Every litter of pups develops uniquely and the timeframes for certain behaviors can be anticipated but not guaranteed.  Molly's pups tend to be very active at an early age.  We try to keep track over time who does certain things first, and based on our experience over the years can pretty much tell who the main characters are going to be.  "Trish" who has Barley from their 2008 litter was asking if there is another "Lewis and Clark" exploration in this litter.  Well we haven't identified a team yet but definitely see that the pup we have nicknamed "Spud" could easily fall into that same category!  It was Nash and Barley 2 years ago.... And now I am confident Spud is emerging in that light.  While in a week all the pups will be doing the same things albeit at different levels of interest etc., it is Spud who walks along the perimeter of the whelping box and who today, climbed up and over the top, tumbling onto the floor of the main area - not once, but several times.   There are those who will go all the way to the far side of their puppy pen to eliminate - and that is impressive to me too as at this age "going" is still an involuntary response.  Molly no longer has to help them out to 'go' but they really don't have the abilility to hold things for very long.  It was Molly and Jack's 2008 litter that also pretty much were housebroken by the time they went home at 8 weeks - all on their own doing. 

Piper and True are growing like weeds and they enjoy some minimal interaction with the babies... At 4 months old their attention span is getting longer and working with them, training, etc. is even more effective.  True is not so apt to be as concerned with where I am as he has been.  And Piper, who never has been concerned before, is now MORE attentive to John and I. 

Miss Pippin is in training, getting conditioned for more time in the fields this spring.  I'm not sure right now about showing her this spring..Pippin has grown a gorgeous winter coat, which she needs for the amount of time she spends outside.  There are a couple of shows coming up I'm interested in but I would have to strip out her winter undercoat... I just don't know at the moment... and sometimes I really go back and forth about whether I enjoy showing at all. Although I am sure there are those dogs who live for the ring, we sure don't have any here that fit that description ! 

Well that's about all the ramblin' on I'm going to do for the time being.  I could write more and there are additional photos to share.  I love the new camera and each day learn something new about it. 

Please take care, we always appreciate your interest in ATB and wish you well - take care and God Bless,

John, Ann and the crew!

A Personal Collection of Inspiration and Photos

Molly and Jacks pups - 3 weeks old

Click on photo for larger image

Look What John Brought Home Now...

Okay... so I've heard it said that once you go to a few shows, hunt tests, field trials etc. you are in danger of catching a 'bug' and slowly but surely begin to accumulate certain items.  Should I be worried?

Brief Puppy Update:  We have nicknamed the entire litter and they are wearing colored collars now.  I took some pictures with the new camera but... battery died, so need to finish taking the rest.  We can tell you that the little boy nicknamed "Spud" and wears a green collar climbed up and out of the whelping box and into the other area.  John made a carpet covered ramp to make it easier because we know the rest will follow.  Two years ago, Molly and Jacks newborn pups did the same thing, and began to climb out to eliminate, and then climb back in - therfore making housebreaking go a little easier.  Wait til you see the latest photos - you will not believe how these babies have changed!  The transition that occurs between three and four weeks is always astounding !  

Guess there is another storm on the way... take care and God Bless - John, Ann and ATB

Cure For Cabin Fever

CURE FOR CABIN FEVER


Take 7 Brittany dogs, let them all run together, walk with them through the frozen woodland, find a stump to sit down on when you get tired and watch them hunt; translated this means they will dig every barren spot of ground no matter how small, look up for birds in the trees (bad bad bad), act like maniacs, check back to be sure you're allright every few minutes (oops do not forget to keep your pockets filled with treats), and laugh laugh laugh when you observe their antics which believe it or not, have a purpose.  Watch them go around the 'johnny house' in circles and stand on the doorstep asking if the birdies can come out and play.  When they run to the end of the fence and think they will play with the neighbors Dobermans (bad bad bad) call them back to you, and say "KENNEL" and meet them on the inside of the heated dog house with treats, loves, hugs, and kisses and more laughter!  Then, repeat all of the above with the two youngsters while remembering this is their FIRST real mid-winter romp, and that everything is fresh and new - so see it through their eyes.   Realize that what looks like insanity, is really the emerging of their future hunting style and ability.  Use the same words over and over again and soon you are rewarded with two youngstsers responding to the most simplest of commands "Come 'Round Here" and they do!   Laugh laugh laugh again as they experience the ice on the pond and reminisce of the Disney movie when Bambi goes out onto the ice.  

And it was goood.
God bless you and yours and please keep Sir Coopers 'mom", Nancy in your prayers as she recovers from surgery.  John, Ann and All Things Brittany....and yes, puppy pictures and updates coming soon!!!!!

Molly and Jack's Puppies are 10 Days Old!

The pups are 10 days old and are doing so well.  Some of their eyes are open, the weight gain is excellent, they are thriving, very mobile and agile already..  This is the special time of their development... neo natal, the darkness will soon turn to light for them as their eyes continue to open.  Still underneath the heat lamp for more weeks to come, nestled away from the hustle bustle of everyday life, safe in the care of their mother Molly.  The puppy area is so warm and cozy, the pellet stove keeps us all warm.  John has taken much of the responsibility for caring for these babies and Molly, she is his special girl!  He's doing such a great job.  The pups are gently and lovingly handled several times a day by us.  Their markings are beautiful, I love that they all have a perfect blaze and mask. It seems the patterns of their coat are most like Molly, the coat itself is beautiful.  Hair now covers their ears and are beginning to look more like ears than a little tag of rubber!  They are maturing well, I heard a little baby 'woof' sound this evening.  I apologize for not being able to get back to the blog as often as I like to, but please email us directly anytime you'd like to keep in touch!  Molly Rose is doing wonderful, she has worked through that period of primal protection over her pups. She's a very nurturing mother and her milk is more than ample so pups are growing quickly!  She is happy to spend longer amounts of time away from the whelping box where the pups are.  The other day we took a longer walk around together, the first time she's done that since pups were born.   Its important for her to get out and exercise, now more than ever.  Since we've past that stage where she would barely leave the pups at all, I can now take the time to give her a proper grooming.  I'm planning a nice oatmeal bath and conditioner for her, and making her all beautiful!  Although we can give sponge baths and apply warm compresses to her tummy, it's not the same as a full all over bath.  I love the grooming aspects of taking care of our dogs anyway, it's not a chore or a hastle.  It's a very special one on one time of nearly silent communication.  Rosie and Scooby especially love these times and will both jump onto the grooming table at the same time in hopes of being first!  Speaking of which... all of ATB is really doing quite well this winter and we've all been enjoying the cleared land and new pond out back.  It's a lot easier for me that's for sure, I can see the dogs, and they can see me so I don't have to continually call them back.  I have tons of pictures from this winter.  When I find time, I'll have to do another video.  OH WAIT I ALMOST FORGOT!!! We have a new camera, John bought me a Canon Power Shot SX120... it's a point and shoot digital but it has a lot more bells and whistles, which of course I have to learn how to use.  You can plug it directly into the TV and watch whatever you've been capturing.  Also, I'm messing around with making actual DVD's from some of our stuff so - be forewarned!  Oh.... I am tired.   John fell asleep in the chair by the woodstove listening to Prairie Home Companion.  He is disappointed that the program is going to change.  Graham Keiller had a stroke and will not be doing the show much longer.  I cannot imagine Saturday night without that!  Oh I know it sounds so fuddy duddy but once you get into a little routine, it's something to look forward to.  In the summer, we sit outside by the firepit with ATB, listening to the program into the night... in the winter, we're doing the same thing but it's inside with the fire blazing keeping us warm.  Just don't ask me how many times we make it through to the end without falling asleep!  Having said that, I'm sure there is more I should say but I'm calling it a day... Good night and God Bless you all, John, Ann and All Things Brittany