Brittanys and The Twilight Bark

It's one of those mornings here in Maine that seem to promise to us that the winter is nearly past, it's time to stretch, strengthen the spirt that is ever willing even when the flesh is weak, take a deep breath and hit the floor running!   It's been a quiet morning and All Things Brittany is somewhat settled for the moment, there is a sense of peace and tranquility as several of the dogs are nearby. Sometimes we have to have made a deliberate choice to silence our minds, turn down the noise inside of us,  put aside the pressures of our ever growing 'to do lists' which always get lost, and again... simply breathe.

As for time spent here with our beautiful Brittany 'family', I can take the same approach.  At least a couple of times a day it is somewhat chaotic here for obvious reasons.  Dogs will be dogs and my angelic (HA) crew is no exception.  Whether someone is visiting us for the first time, or if I am simply spotted from across the yard it is usually a special and happy occasion for the dogs and they gladly make that fact known!  The reasons a dog will bark varies of course.  But one thing is certain.  At All Things Brittany, dogs bark out of sheer joy and happiness! Um... well... most of the time.  I could be a little more reasonable of course concerning the 'pack howl' something that Miss Molly always instigates, often in the middle of the night whether she is alone in the house or in the kennel surrounded by ATB.  It always reminds me of  a scene from my favorite Disney movie, 101 Dalmations, involving the "Twilight Bark."

“.....The humans tried everything. Now it's up to us dogs and the Twilight Bark. I'll sound the alert! Woof! Woof! Ahh! Treasure, come in here! Wish! Be quiet now! Aw, shut up! Quiet! Will you be quiet! Rosie, what's going on? What is it? What's all the gossip? 'Taint no gossip, Pippin. It be all the way from London. - You don't say! - puppies.  Something about puppies? Well, then, we'd best send the word along. It be up to me to reach the JackDog! He be the only one in barking range. You'll never reach him at this hour! Well, I can try! I'll bark all night if I have to. Ahem! Hmm-hmm-hmm. Hmm... sounds like Scooby. It's an alert. Scooby! ScOOby! I say, SCOOBY! Oh, yes, Treasure! Barking signal. It's an alert. Report to the JackDog at once. Righto, sir. Right away, sir! JackDogl? I say, JACKdog! JACKDOG? - What? Who goes there? Scooby reporting, sir. Rosie? Wish? Pippin! Look here, Treasure. What's the idea of barging in at this hour? But JackDog... Hold on, Molly. You hear that? - Sounds like an alert. - Yes, JackDog. - We'd better look into it. Come along, on the double. - Righto, sir. It's little Piper and True, sir. By Jove, yes! So it is. Well, I'll see what they want. Ahem! Woof, woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof! It be JackDog himself! He wants the message. You'd better make it loud or he'll never get it. One long howl, two short. - One yip and a woof. - Two yips, sir. - What's the word? - It's from London. - It must be important. - Yes, I'll get the rest of it. Ahem! Woof, woof, woof! [Distant Barking] Sounds like a number. Three fives is . - That's sir. - Of course, . [Barking] Yes... Dot, Spot... Spotted puddings. Poodles. - No, puddles! - Puddles, sir? spotted puddles stolen? Oh, balderdash! Better double-check it, JackDog. Oh, yes, I suppose I'd better. Woof, woof, woof! Two woofs, one yip and a woof. - It sounds like "puppies"! - Of course, puppies! It’s time for Molly and Jack's puppies to go to their new homes!”

And so 8 lively, happy, bouncy, intelligent, funloving, beautiful, loveable little orange and white furballs will begin the first day of the rest of their lives with the wonderful families that are waiting for them.  As we are always asked, is it hard to say goodbye to a litter of puppies we have devoted ourselves to and bonded so closely with?  It is absolutely very difficult and don't let us fool you.  But any sadness John and I may experience is greatly overshadowed by the confidence we feel in having selected the best families and environments for our pups.  It's always bittersweet, but there is also the future to look to, when we get the updates, the puppy kindergarten graduation pictures, the news about the pups development and especially those who are hunted - that first fall season of bird hunting.  It's who we are and what we are about by the grace of God.  And we s enjoy sharing these things with those of you have an interest in ATB.

John's holding the fort down this weekend as I look forward to spending time in Fitchburg at a dog show there.  It is no secret to most that showing is not the main event or focus for John and I but I like going to some of the shows and sharing the fun with good friends. We all try our personal best in the ring.  Sometimes we win and always we have fun.  Although, I'm pretty darn happy with how Miss Pippin is lookin! And speaking of shows, a quick walk through of the Brittany Mobile yesterday makes me REALLY look forward to the spring/summer/fall shows of 2010! 

Hope you all have the opportunity to get out and enjoy this beautiful day. Take care and God bless!
John, Ann and All Things Brittany