A Little of This, a LOT of That

Special Brittany 'Family' Moments....

Even though we don't have puppies we have been extremely busy lately!  John and I are getting ready for a trip to New York with Julie, Bullet, Sassy, and Pippin and we're in the process of loading the Brittanymobile while Julie is making her lists and checking them twice. While away we will take in the American Brittany Club Futurity Field Trial and Bench Competition, as well as the Hudson Valley Brittany Club Specialty Show.  Then we'll turn around and head back for Sassy's next Flyball Tournament in Massachusetts.  John and his friends Mal and Rob have been training the dogs as often as they can recently.  This morning they are out working 6 dogs together, including 4 English Setters. The younger Setters are doing really well, and Mal has a top notch dog who (we have to brag on his behalf) won the Central Maine Brittany  Club Amateur Derby stake last fall (what happened to the Brittanys?!).  I'm confident Pippin will do well next weekend where she will be handled by Dawn Hill in the trial.  I am still undecided as to who will handle her in the ring - I'd really love to take her in myself but we'll see how the old knee is doing!  I'm proud that John and I have 3 Brittanys bred by us entered in the Futurity, which is a first for us. 

True and Piper are coming along really well in our endeavors to train them.  They are both different as night and day but such a delight. Piper is growing into such a pretty girl, all her body parts seem to be coming together just right and she's so smart and outgoing!  I could say all the same things about True (of course he's not a pretty girl though - yet quite a handsome boy!) who continues to 'get' the concept of Clicker Training.  I just ordered a couple of more books of higher level training methods.  I've been working with True a lot as Pam has been away on vacation with her family. I think she'll be pleased with his progress.

Yesterday Steve Stepanian stopped by.  Please see the  "Only In Maine" photograph to the right. Anyone want to take a guess as to what is going on in the picture?   Speaking of Steve, he has written a fascinating article about "Horn Hunting" with Brittanys which I have submitted to the American Brittany Club magazine for publication.  Although it is actually hunting for antlers most hunters actually refer to it as horn hunting.  I won't give the story away but those who belong to the American Brittany Club will be able to read all about it.  (I'll publish the story here once it's come out in the magazine which may be awhile yet.)

Tis the season 'AGAIN" for All Thing Brittany 'girls' to be in 'their' season.   Sigh.   It can't be helped that they all come into it at the same time but just about the time the entire canine crew here is finally enjoying being out together as a complete 'pack' hormonal issues flare up.  This means we are back to closely supervising who runs with who and who is in the house at the same time yadda yadda yadda. A couple of girls will soon be spayed though so that will make a difference too.  You think?!!! Not necessarily!  During our visits with Starr and/or Sassy here, both of whom are spayed - the boys enjoy the challenge of romps with them at a heightened level of interest.  I wonder why??!  Jack was definitely misbehaving although you'd not be able to tell that by the picture below.  Notice the affectionate way in which Starr is laying her head upon Jack's paw... Is that beautiful or what?  They are both out of Wish... His sire is Pride & Joy's Butchman, and her sire is AFC/FC Coos Rylee.  You can see that she is a beautiful tri-color Brittany, (one of 3 which Wish has had over the years, each a female.)

As I write I can look out to the ond and see that the fish are jumping this morning again.  John is so happy about this!  It's nice because the leaves are slowly but surely filling in the trees so things are a bit more green looking in that direction.  It will be awhile before we see much grass as there is still muddy areas in back of the dog house.  Last weekend John had a big brush pile to burn, and he used the tractor to keep pushing it back, resulting in more muddy ruts. Nope. I'm not complaining.  I love the work he's done and we've always been able to envision our little diamonds in the rough which is what I perceive the pond project.  The dogs are doing so well with water retrieves and just plain having fun splashing around.  Pippin, Scooby, and True are our swim stars at the moment but I'm sure the others will follow. Rosie does quite well, and they are all happy to go in and wade out.  The waters are clean and clear so it's nice for their coats - and if I can divert them to walk with me where there is less mud, it's not so bad.  Plus John installed the portable camp shower just outside of their dog run.  Propane heats the water which is hooked up to the hose, and all I have to do is rinse the mud off.  That way if they come up and need a bath, there's no tracking of mud and it also keeps the dog house itself much much cleaner!  I like the way John thinks of these things.  He has another project in mind where he wants to take one section in the garage and turn it into a grooming studio for me!  I just can't wait because it will include a small, raised bath tub to make it easier on my back.  Speaking of grooming - do wish me luck - Pippin is less than a week away from showing and with all her training this past week, her coat needs a lot of help.  But - if you really want to know the truth - as fun as I think showing can be, I'm just so happy that she's having the experience this spring of regular training on birds. She watches John's every move from the time he heads down to the bird pen, walks to the truck, get's his gear and comes back for her and Jack.  The girl is transformed!

We have experienced with some friends of ours an unexpected turn of events in their life.  As strong as my faith is as a Christian, there are just times that I cannot understand why a certain thing would happen.  Such as the case now.  Out of great respect for those involved, I'll be intentionally vague yet ask those of you who do believe in the power of prayer, to simply trust that there is an unspoken request heavy on my heart and these wonderful folks could really, really use your prayers as well.  To have lived a productive life that was full, vibrant, busy and finally reach a point where you may be able to live indeed with no forwarding address and finally turn the pager off and walk away from that season only to learn that health issues now dictate the plans for the next season - it's not fair and I don't know what to say... so I point to God and pray for 'you', and in my mind that is the absolutely BEST I can do, because I do believe.

We would like to welcome Benn and Barb to the family of All Things Brittany!  They first were in touch with us late last summer, about the time they lost a dear 14 year old Brittany.  Over the next few months, their life took a difficult direction as well.  With precision timing however, and no coincidences - they recently contacted us again. We always enjoy working with people over a period of time and this was no exception.  Joy and happiness is rising up in their lives again.  I'm very happy to say that a real special Brittany puppy has lovingly been embraced and welcomed into their heart and home by this couple, who we share a mutual acquaintance and a mutual belief system with!

The natives are getting restless... Hope you and yours have a wonderful day, take care and God Bless!

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