Reflections Once Again

Introducing the newest AKC Champion from Hills Brittany

CH Hills Mornin' Edition (Morgen)

A beautiful liver and white female Brittany bred and owned by Paul & Dawn Hill

Always owner handled by Dawn Hill

John and I are so happy for all of you!!!! Congratulations, this girl deserved it!

Will do a complete behind the scenes Dog show update  soon!  We all had a great time with our Brittanys, the host club went out of their way to make everyone feel very welcome, and there was an inpromptu happy birthday celebration for Kristyn McCartney in honor of her 21st birthday.  The highlight of the weekend for me though - this is not including how pleased we all were with our own dogs - was watching Dawn Hill take "Morgen" around the ring, gaiting in her most excellent and elegant style and winning not only her class, but winners bitch - her second major and thus with accumulative points - became AKC Champion Hills Morning Addition!  The next day she triumphed again by going Best of Breed in her first specials class!  What is especially noteworthy to me is that Morgan has been exclusively breeder/owner/ handled for the past 6 years and is a Liver and White Brittany!  Congratulations Dawn, I was so happy to be there and watch your girl!  There were other important wins for exhibitors there this weekend as well of course, all deserving.  But this one with Morgen was extra special for me.  Dawn exemplifies for me in many ways what I personally like to see in a Brittany - the dogs that she and Paul breed are family and hunting companions first and foremost and each one is well loved.  I know this because of Miss Bailey (out of Chrissy and Jack).  Dawn has titled several of their Brittanys, who are also extremely competitive in the field as well as the ring.  This weekend Pippin will be transported to a field trial in Southern New England where Dawn will spend the time with her, and run her in a derby stake if all goes well. 

I also have lots of good things to share about the weekend with Pam and Paris, and with Julie and Bullet - and pictures to show. Anytime we are together friendship, joy, and laughter abound.  More on that this week.

On a very serious note, John and I have lost a very dear friend to cancer.  We heard the news Friday morning before Julie and I headed to Fitchburg.  Although we knew it was coming - it has been hard to wait for the phone call.  Her services are Wednesday. Jane's death was utmost on my mind at the show and as a result I did not have the energy nor the desire to deal with or address ugly gossip and immature actions/reactions. They fell to the bottom of my list of concerns as I mourn the loss of a very vibrant forever young woman and friend.  Rising above the fray and enjoying the friendship and acquaintance of other likeminded exhibitors this weekend, celebrating the 21st birthday of a very talented and gifted young woman with so much potential, and so much more.  I also listened in horror and disbelief to the details of a tree crashing through the roof of another breeder/exhibitors beautiful brand new home - and realize they have a lot to be thankful as the story is told.  Things have a way of coming around full circle.  Yet again, Brittanys are found in the middle of that circle - somehow bringing God's greater understanding to the Light of what is really really important.  Pups going home at the same time we mourn the death of our friend Jane and concern for her husband left to live without her... The tree crashing through the house, I cannot imagine... A birthday celebration for this same family... Winning and Losing take on new meanings... greater meanings... The disappointments of dear friends become my own... Another birthday this weekend of our oldest grandchild... The celebration of 35 years of marriage... Yes indeed... think on these things... and as I choose to let extreme drama fall by the wayside, may my ability to continue to rise above it all be strengthened, and I appreciate that ability.

Julie and I returned home late late Sunday afternoon and found that John had a wonderful dinner waiting for us.  He's so thoughtful! We persuaded her to stay overnight and head out this morning.  We've had our special time with pups going home today with those we look forward to also sharing our life with as part of All Things Brittany.  More about that too here and on Facebook.

For now... day is done.  My prayers are with Jane's family, and especially Lenny... Our friendship evolved by way of John and Lenny working together for years and retiring to enjoy that friendship and beyond.  There have been several couples who have done annual canoe trips, bonfires, camping trips, Christmas parties, dinners, etc. together and we've all become very close.  Anyway... we've all shared some real good times together. Learning of Janes diagnosis not so long ago was enough of a shock... to learn she had little time to live was even greater... to discover last week this meant only days - has been a little hard to handle.
Thank you for listening... and if you're so inclined to do so, remember Lenney in your prayers..

Take care and God Bless you and yours - always... John and Ann, and our family of Brittanys