Memorial Day, Taps,and Forget Me Nots

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer.  Labor Day through today, our neck of the woods is relatively quiet.  All of that will change now.  We are surrounded by a minimum of 13 large lakes and countless ponds.  In the summertime the local population of this rural community triples as summer 'residents' head up to enjoy their beautiful waterfront properties.  Traffic also increases greatly.  Off season, fewer cars pass by our home. John and I have at times counted no more than 4 cars a half an hour.  This is the 3 day holiday weekend families look forward to when they can bring the boat up, open their camps, and enjoy getting out on the lake. This year the weather is absolutely perfect for boating, swimming, barbecues etc.  With the exception of the hazy and smoke filled air that is.  A couple of nights ago I thought I smelled someone's campfire as the breeze coming through the window carried the scent.  This morning I thought surely our neighbors were burning some brush nearby.  When I checked my FaceBook page I learned from my son in law that other people were wondering what was going on as well.  After a quick search I discovered the reason we are experiencing this poor air quality is due to the fires in Northern Quebec.  My eyes and nose are not happy about this at all. Add to that thick layer of pollen dust on my front porch rocking chairs which is evidence of even poorer air quality. This too shall pass.

I celebrated Memorial Day very differently as a child.  It wasn't about cook outs and it wasn't about 3 day weekends.  It did not always fall on a Monday. Memorial Day meant taking a trip to the cemetary with my mother, cleaning debris from the place where my father rests, bringing the plants and geraniums that she had cared for over the winter, and planting them around his headstone. It was about me planting 'Forget Me Not' flowers there.  It was a very serious, somber time.  We checked to be sure that the American Legion had faithfully put an American Flag in the wrought iron holder to honor all the veterans buried there.  My father was one of them.  Memorial Day also always meant driving over to Portsmouth, NH to stand on Richards Avenue and watch the parade go by.  Usually there was some member of our family marching in it.  A few times I proudly marched by while the camera snapped away, taking pictures of me first as a Brownie, then a Girl Scout, and eventually as a member of the Portsmouth Clipper Band.  There was on instant gratification of seeing the photos right away.  The film itself had to be delievered to the camera store, and we had to wait for several days for it to develop.  And waiting for those photos was always exciting to me! I have black and white photos of my brother now deceased, marching in the Drum and Bugle Corp.  And photos of my sisters kids marching thru the years too. In later years, after John and I got married - the tradition continued in his hometown too, when our own children marched in the Memorial Day parades; Brownies, Cub Scouts, Baseball Teams etc. 

Once the Memorial Day parade passed by our family would follow it into the historic, expansive South End cemetary, and find a shady spot under a huge maple tree to stand or sit.  Each group participating in the parade would stand at attention around the small pond in the middle. Flags blowing in the wind, Veterans of Foreign Wars standing proudly, hats removed, and the local clergy delivering a message. The Daughters of the American Revolution stood soberly among the participants. Each person placed their right hand over their heart and the crowd recited in one accord the Pledge of Allegiance. ( Each person.)  Everyone bowed their heads respectfully and prayed the Lord's Prayer in unison without issue. (Everyone.)  One of my most treasured memories of 'celebrating' Memorial Day is in the way this service closed. 

Throughout the expansive cemetary uniformed Buglers stood waiting.  A 21 gun-salute was fired off over the pond.  Placed strategically and discreetly, unless you knew what was about  to happen you would not have noticed them.  At a specific point in the program, the first Bugler standing closest to the officials raised his instrument and began to play the first part of "Taps".   The next Bugler, positioned farther away, picked up where the first one had left off.  And on it went until the closing notes were played way in the distance, echoing on the wind, for all to hear. To write about that here and now, evokes for me the impact and the true meaning of what Memorial Day 'is'. 

For me, the barbecues and the three day weekends to kick off summer never quite had the same effect. Even with growing up on a beach.  I wonder now as I look back if our children understood why it was such a solemn celebration to me.  But in later years our family did use the weekend as an excuse to open the pool up, and invite our friends over for a cookout in the afternoon following the parade. 

Now the task remains each year for John and I to go the gravesites of our parents - none of whom are living. We usually do this together but in reverence and quietness.  Sometimes when I plant the "Forget Me Nots' on my dad's grave I have a real difficult time. It helps to remind me though how short life really is and how important it is not to say meanspirited things to the people you love.  Sometimes you don't get a chance to tell them you didn't mean it.  I think my dad understood the importance of respect and honor between parent and child and intended to get a point across to me about it once.  I was really young and was acting up, being fresh and rude.  I don't know what I said but it must have really been awful.  I do remember what he said back though:  "Ann, I'm your father and it is wrong to speak to me that way. Someday you'll be going to the cemetary to put flowers on my grave."   He made his point because I ran into his arms crying and asking him to forgive me.  Planting "Forget Me Nots" reminds me of many things, including the power of forgiveness.  Take care and God Bless you and yours this Memorial Day 2010.  John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Just "DO IT"!

Thursday morning May 19 I hit the road with my buddy "True" for his very first AKC Dog show.  He was very excited but well behaved even when I was out of sight, something I had wondered about. True is very vocal like his father at times!  Penny (Petiquette) was there to give me a hand and took him in the ring where he showed himself quite well. True won his very set of ribbons for First Place and Reserve Winners.  The next day Julie arrived with Bullet and I was very proud to have not only one of our boys in the ring, but two of them.  Bullet is looking very mature these days!  Penny once again showed True for me and he even looked better than the day before.  First place in his class and also won Reserve Winners, defeating two nice class dogs there.  It was bittersweet as one of the boys was Bullet but as Julie said, Bullet was there at the show for 'her'. The next day in the field trial would be for him.  The judge spoke quite positively about True and it's possible that if his neck had been groomed properly we may have done better but one never knows.  All in all - True's first show experience was extremely positive and rewarding!  Julie and I enjoyed a quite lunch together and I enjoyed giving her some early birthday presents. Later on Friday afternoon I headed to join the ATB crew in Brownfield, Maine at the Maine Bird Dog Club Field Trial Grounds where the Central Maine Brittany Club was having it's first spring field trial in many years!

We really do have a great club with a rich heritage spanning 30 years and putting on a field trial is quite a task for all concerned.  John of course can always be found hard at work doing all he can to make an event successful - this is because of the way he is and makes me proud of all he does.  It takes a team effort under a great leadership to cooperative work together on any given event.  As I'm getting ready to put together a fresh newsletter and update the club's website with the placements and other particulars I'll wait to embellish any further. I have some AWESOME field trial photos though to share there!  Suffice to say it is meaningful to work alongside members who are responsible for this rich heritage and who are there for new folks like us to provide mentoring, training, and share their life long experiences. These people don't just 'talk the talk', something that is very easy for newbies to pick up. These people have 'walked the walk' and have valuable knowledge to impart to those with ears to listen.  This past weekend also included time with Steve and Stephanie, owners of Starr and Nashdog who came to simply hang out together, pitch in and help, be with other Brittany people, and have fun.  I'm so glad they did!  (Speaking of friends, the club and showing - Pam and Sam's pretty "Paris" won several more points at the above mentioned dog show and is on her way to becoming a show champion!)

All of our crew was very well behaved all weekend at the trial with exception of an occassional period of barking, just to let everyone know they were there.  We utilized the traditional methods of staking out and/or crating our dogs and they quickly settled in. John handled Jack on both days in the Amateur and Open Gun Dog stakes.  He did well in Amateur - had a real nice, productive find. On Sunday the birds were moving around so even though Jack did very well, he moved when the bird moved and our kindly judge said 'see you later, guy!"   Sunday morning however we were very pleased with Piper's first run in the puppy stake. She was braced with a pup with a lot more field experience handled by a pro.  And she won first place in Open Puppy!  Woo hoo! We were quite proud of the girl and have sent pictures and bragging rights off to her breeders in New Jersey.  True and Bullet were braced together for their run in Open Derby.  Sam handled True and Julie handled Bullet.  We had divided Piper and True deliberately and he actually handled the way a puppy should handle, and not the way one would expect a derby to. Sam was very pleased with True and so were we.  Bullet on the other hand established a real nice solid point, Julie shot over him, and flushed the bird.  We were very happy at the end of a long show and field trial weekend.  Our dogs truly did enjoy the ring one day and the field the next.  True's show and field debut was exciting in itself!  Then seeing Piper win 1st Place Open Puppy handled by John, and then Bullet win 1st Place Open Derby, earning points towards his field championship - it makes me very happy and proud to know indeed, we are slowly but surely achieving the goals we have set before us here at All Things Brittany.  But one thing is true - we couldn't do many of the the things we love to do with our dogs if we didn't have the support and encouragement of those of you who have walked beside us through the years, new friends and old friends, and those yet to become friends.  Oh! How could I forget to mention... Miss Bailey - she participated in her first hunt test this past weekend, and pending AKC approval, is likely to have won her first leg towards qualifying as a Junior Hunter. We are literally enjoying the 'pride and joy' that comes each time a Brittany we lovingly bred rises above to meet or exceed the standard whether it be in the field, the ring, Agility, Flyball etc. !  We know they are bred to hunt well and make outstanding companions - so the rest is frosting on the cake.  Putting the competitive edge aside - it is all about the love of the dog both given and received and it always will be...   but I'm seriously liking the way I am running out of wall space to proudly display the ribbons in my office!  Take care and God Bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany   PS Heard from John Jr. he landed safely in Moscow.

God Speed to My Son

All things Brittany - is all about life as I recently shared a few weeks ago regarding the defriend/befriend incident. So here we are, in the midst of an extremely active 'dog event' period consisting of field trials, shows and you name it - and LIFE happens.   LIFE of the most wonderful kind. And if I'm not careful, if I don't slow down just enough in these next few days - I will miss the significance of it.

Okay, so I don't always wear my faith on my sleeve.  And I don't always walk the walk or talk the talk.  But deep deep within me - is my unwavering belief in Jesus - the son of the living God.  Not a god you talk about or have karma about or look to as a higher being.  Nope.  I'm talking personal relationship.  And that's enough about that on this blog at the moment.

Over the years God has brought me through some stuff.  He continues to do so.  He's answered prayers that could only be counted as miracles.   Know me - know in Whom I believe.  One prayer that was always on my heart was that my children would one day life their lives for the Lord, love Him with all their heart, know His goodness, mercy, grace and forgiveness. They believe, they grew up believing, and their faith is strong.  We all demonstrate it in different ways and that's the way it should be.

I saw my daughter in law leave to go on a missions trip to India this spring - that was hard for me!  And now my son is going on his own trip in just a few more days.  I am supercharged with emotion, proud as proud can be. Sometimes our mission field is the world.  Other times it is our own backyard, our own field and sphere of immediate influence.

I just want to ask for those of you who follow ATB here that, if you believe in prayer - and in the God who answers prayer - remember John Jr.  While I'm at dog shows and field trials he's going to be doing God's work in a foreign country.  You see he prayed a few years ago "Here am I - Send Me."  And so, he is called.

Years ago when John was in elementary school he drew a crayon figure, a stick figure of two kids on a playground.  One of the kids was him - the other was his best buddy.  John was handing his friend a square box with a cross on it... he was giving him a Bible.  I have that coloring page somewhere tucked away and thought of it again yesterday.  Talk about prophecy.  Another photograph that I have is of John sitting on a huge rock at "Camp Harbinger" and the rock has the Scripture on it "He alone is my rock".   Many years ago, it was just a cute picture. Today - it is yet another prophetic step, a photograph of evidence of God's hand on his life all these years.

I'm a momma who had calloused knees when my children were teenagers. They have always been wonderful children but we had some bumpy roads along the way and I don't mean maybe.  One of the greatest successes in my life is knowing - together that John Sr. and I have raised two fine young adults who are now in turn raising our grandchildren.  We're blessed.  Really really blessed.  To those who have teens or younger kids and you wonder if you'll make it through - let me tell you yes you will but you can't do it alone.  If you are older and you wonder if you'll make it through -yes you will but you need Someone to lean on.  If you are  younger and you just wonder - if you'll make it to the next day - the answer? Yes. IF you believe... Well I'm not going to preach... but I do have a feeling sometime I'm going to step behind a pulpit again and weave a truthful tale of how God is working in this season of our lives... yet for tonight...

I pray for my son from the heart of a mother who loves him deeply, cares for him more than he could possibly know.  As the Holy Spirit had led you my son to this place of calling, of a deep walk with the Father - know that my prayers go before and behind and with you.   I love you with the deepest love a mother could possibly have for a child, I respect the man you have become, the wonderful father you are, and the evangelist who God is calling into the field... which in your case - is not so close to home this time.

I look forward to your return when you will share with joy and excitement all that God has done!  In the meantime, I'll keep walking forward with "All things Brittany", with the fullness of life, love, friendships and of course our family.  As you leave - always remember how proud I am of you - always have been and always will be for all the right reasons.

Thank  you to everyone for following this far... it's personal I know... but it's also a very big part of who we are here.   There will be canine updates and pictures again soon... very exciting things going on in that realm of our life lately.  But for this moment in time... my absolute priority is praying for my son while he travels abroad... praying for his protection, safety, well being - and that he will indeed, fulfill the commission of Jesus Himself which is to preach the Gospel in all the world. You don't have to even be a Christian to believe that this old world as we know it - is upside down and in turmoil.  And its hard to believe that in this day and age there are still people who have never heard the Gospel, therefor never had the opportunity to even MAKE the choice to believe or not... Love and God bless you and yours always... a very serious - All Things Brittany

SHOUT OUT - Way to go Max and Mark!

Socialization, Training, Activities, Responsibility

Congratulations to Max and Mark for successfully completing the S.T.A.R. puppy program at  All Dogs Gym in Manchester, NH.  This innovative, exciting new program for puppies from 8 weeks to 5 months of age was started by the AKC to reward owners and their puppies S.T.A.R. stands for “Socialization, Training, Activities and Responsibility.”  Goals of this program are that pup will be well-socialized to new places, puppies, people and things, will come when called, walk on a loose leash, sit, lie down, stay and relax, greet people politely, retrieve and willingly give you objects from their mouths.  Mark, we THANK YOU so much for following through with Max's puppy training.  Although he's not yet 4 months old you've certainly laid a very important foundation for him that will serve you well in your future bird hunting adventures.  As breeders, John and I appreciate hearing about accomplishments such as this.  We can provide the very best experiences and early puppy training during the first 8 weeks but it is up to new owners like yourself to build upon that, something you very obviously have done.  You have seized the opportunity to use a key time of learning and development for a young puppy to his best advantage. THANK YOU and congratulations from All Things Brittany - especially from Molly and Jack!

Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club - MATCH!

I've just had the most amazing day - actually it's been an amazing weekend in many aspects.  I'm waiting for John to come home from Brownfield where the Maine Bird Dog Club hosted a Championship.  Yesterday I spent most of the day there with him and catching up with our friends Frank and Donna Pride.  Also met some more field trialers and their long tailed pointing dogs.  I say this with great affection, we have several friends who own Setters and Pointers and they are a very stylish hunting dog.  Anyway, can't wait to tell John all about how well True did at his first match.

A "match" is basically an informal dog show.  It is official in many of the same ways as a large sanctioned all breed show but without all the rules, regulations, bells and whistles.  Pups as young as 12 weeks can be entered.  FUN, very, very fun is a good way to describe it.  The Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club of Maine hosted todays match in Brunswick.

True has been with Pam and Sam since the last handling class at Forward Finish on Wednesday.  In the meantime he had his first complete 'show groom'.   Between Pam and I, we'd both been introducing him at a relaxed pace to all the things a show dog must take for granted such as standing still on a grooming table, the sound and use of electric clippers, a nail grinder, various grooming tools, frequent baths, and a lot of unusual sights and sounds. All of these things become routine eventually for a dog that is shown.  But in the beginning it's easy to forget they are not a normal part of day to day life so it's important to consistently expose the dog to all this and more.  Pam wanted to groom him for this match and for his first 'real' show coming up later this week.  When I saw him after several days - I was so happy with the way he looked! 

I had to enjoy True from afar, at least until he'd been in the ring.  Pam had his 'head' in the right place and needed to keep it there mentally.  His body is mature but his mind? Not so much!  So her mom and I enjoyed each other's company while we waited and soon Pam's son and friend joined us too.  My feeling is that it's very important for some dogs and their handlers to be totally into each other before entering the ring, and this is the case with True and Pam.

Handling classes had prepared us well for many unexpected experiences at a show.  Raincoats, big hats, judges using walkers, applause, etc.  It's a good thing!  Today it was so breezy out that everything was moving in the wind and/or making noises.  Instead of ring gates yellow caution tape outlined the conformation ring and blew profusely making a lot of noise.  Judge Nancy had a long flowing skirt on which seemed to fascinate True upon every approach!  The flag blowing in the breeze, traffic going by, people walking their dogs - all of these things could have spooked a young pup.  True was not phased - with the exception of the above photo.

Judge Nancy was going down the line to look over the dogs one more time.  Just about the time she approached True, a German Shepherd Dog trotting by in the other ring caught his eye. You can see in the picture the expression on the GSD face, and True's must have been equally as expressive.  I don't think Pam knew what was going on the background but she quickly regained his undivided attention by baiting him (using treats).

The weather was gorgeous!  Couldn't have asked for better weather.  Breezy but very sunny the LAKC put on a great event. Rally and Obedience were going on in the other rings. 

Well we took home four ribbons from Trues special day including First Place in his class (6 - 9 months) and 4th place in his Group.  He already has a Winners Dog from handling classes!  What this all amounts to is very specific and precise experiences that lay a foundation for more serious work in the future.  I like that Pam has a calm demeanor and keeps True at a low energy level most of the time in the ring.  Dogs easily pick up on their handlers nervousness and it makes them nervous.  Penny says there are 3 levels of praise to use and a very important key is to be aware of 'when' to use what.  All dogs are different but Pam very definitely knew today where to keep True.  I often watch other seasoned handlers as they fly in and out of the ring and I wonder if they have to think through each step to the extent I do.  They make it look effortless.  And today so did Pam but when everything was said and done, it was clear she worked her heart out just as if she'd spent the morning at the gym. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how well we all continue to do in both field and show events.  I also look forward to seeing how Paris ( Pam and Sams beautiful Brittany girl) does in the coming weeks.  She will be with the owner of her sire and hitting the show circuit full speed ahead. 

There's a lot more to share but John is home and we have a lot of catching up to do about the weekend. Fact of the matter is, we kind of sort of miss each other when one of us goes one way and the other either stays home or goes in another direction! No, fact is we do miss each other - a lot!

Take care and God bless, John, Ann and All things Brittany

Latest All Things Brittany YouTube Video

John and I take a rather casual approach to field training in the beginning of the year no matter which dog we're working with. (Following a lot of the philosophy laid down by Bill Tarrant and Delmar Smith, the first year of a Brittany pups life should be full of happy field experiences anyway.  Birds are introduced as early as possible, and all pups have fun with them while here in their first 8 weeks of life. There was one exception and that was when Treasure decided to take charge of her pup's introduction to birds all by herself.  See 'her training video.'  ) There's a time to 'finish' a hunting dog and that often is best done by a third party IMHO and definitely not under a year of age.  It's easy to mess up a good bird dog. One common mistake is trying to teach a dog what whoa means using live birds before basic yard training has been done. We all want to see our dogs point birds and they all will. But they should know what that word WHOA means long before they are expected to hold that point on a live bird!   The video above is compiled of photos and clips from yesterday and the day before when All Things Brittany had some good runs in one of the nearby fields we use.  No pressure. No birds. John randomly laid down grouse scent, ran two dogs together and we both observed which dog did what in order to determine what necessary work should be done over the summer for each dog.  Jack and Pippin have both been worked a lot already this spring on birds so yesterday was more of a handling exercise with the whistle and hand signals. It goes without saying that every one of our Brittanys w/exception of the younger ones have been hunted over and work real nice and close in the woods.  Off season which is the rest of the year we provide frequent outings like the one we had yesterday.    Comment:  Please note that if you are training hunting dogs (for field competition or hunting) that a valid Maine Hunters License should be in your possession. This is a new Maine law. Additionally, a permit to train sporting dogs may be required.  

With the recent addition of a Shamrock Dog Topper for our pickup truck we've discovered it is a whole lot easier to take our canine Brittany crew out together all at the same time. All of ATB gets to ride together in style. This particular dog topper is climate-controlled, includes 4 crates, ample storage room in the back for two more plus our training gear. The smaller dogs can double up comfortably and of course there is room in the backseat of the truck as well.  This was something that John has looked far and wide for just the right one for our needs and the size of our dogs and really liked the ones made by Shamrock.  The company is out of Oakland, Maine - well at least it was until closing it's door last year after 50 years of business.  We were really blessed to find this one.  A good friend of ours had one available for sale which she used for traveling with her Labrador Retrievers from Maine to the deep south for the many trials and competition she is actively involved with.  It was perfect except for one thing - it did not fit our truck.  Although at the time Shamrock would have willingly customized it to fit ours we decided to wait a little longer.  I'm so glad we did.  Now I will be point blank honest about something.  "I" was on the fence about using a dog top pickup camper top.  I've seen good designs and I've seen poor designs. The comfort, safety, and well being of the dogs is critical to both of us - but remember here I'm still 'momma' and look at things a little less practical than he does.  But after yesterday, 'momma' is sold on the new method of transporting our Brittanys in style!  The addition of this brings us one step closer to the reality which we know we are heading towards, taking ATB on the road for field events.  (What was that? Did I hear someone say "I told you so?")  Although I trust John's judgement completely, he also knew there are certain styles I approve of and certain styles I would never put my dogs in.  I can only suppose he breathed a deep sigh of release when, after a period of silence when the dog topper first appeared, I said "hey this is great!!! I really like this!!"   I had to be convinced that the air circulated freely, the dogs would ride comfortably, they would be neither too hot nor too cold, and that they could turn around easily in the crates.  There is a built in overhead "skylight" which also includes a cooling fan. It's heavily insulated and the crates are open on the inside (dogs can see each other) and the circulation is excellent. The doors to each crate also include 'levelor' type ventilation blinds over a screen. I'm looking forward to the opportunities that this dog topper camper has opened up to us for ease of traveling with our crew!

Take care and God Bless, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

It's About Life / De-friend THIS!

And how sweet is this picture?  Grampa recently rototilled a garden for our son and

daughter in law and had extra help as 23 month old Solomon helped drive the tractor.

All Things Brittany... is all about life, and sharing that life with our family, friends, and of course our bouncing, amazing, funloving, beautiful, happy awesome BRITTANYS.   The use of referring to ourselves as "All Things Brittany", was adopted from the beloved series of books written by James Harriot including "All Creatures Great and Small" "All Things Wise and Wonderful" and "The Lord God Made Them All."   For over 30 years, readers have enjoyed the stories of perhaps the worlds most beloved veterinarean as Dr. Herriot wrote about his deep love of live and for all animals. If you've never picked up one of these books, I suggest you add it to your summer reading list.  Additionally, the use of  "All Things Brittany" also reflects the words found in a beautiful Christian hymm penned for children in 1848 by Cecil Alexander, a hymm that I grew up singing in church and in Sunday School.  (As a side note - J & A's Brittanys is simply a shorter way of saying "John and Ann's" Brittanys!)

Our first blog was in the fall of 2007 and created as a way to share the experiences of waiting for a litter of pups. Slowly but surely we attracted a following of readers, something which took me time to realize.  And so how did I know the blog was being followed?  Well... through the personal emails hinting that I hadn't posted anything for awhile or letting me know a bad day of work often changed direction by reading this blog or even those who check it first thing in the morning. And the owner of the best Brittany in the world also checks the blog when he is on the road traveling I have been told.  I'm really humbled because I never started blogging with the intent to create a following and I surely never thought what I write could really matter or make a difference.  My most recent post about my mum generated a lot of private email.  I have to tell you I'm thankful that God uses this blog in the way he does.  

All Things Brittany - the blog - is indeed all about life.  Sometimes there are brags to share about our dogs and other times I just want to write about our family.  There's been a couple of times that I have used this blog to spout off when I've experienced the reality of difficult people in my life or felt I was treated unfairly.  (Coming up again in the next paragraph!) Often the posts are about our canine crew.  Sadness and joy have equally been shared here at the All Things Brittany Blog and you've got to know I just love feedback, comments and also seeing people "I LIKE" us on Facebook. I hope you'll keep coming back.

Speaking of the "I LIKE" button and of Facebook.  I have to share this.  I really do.  It's funny but it's not funny but I totally 'get it'.  There is a term used in Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc.  It is called "de-friend".  I commmented to someone at a dog show how I had discovered a Facebook 'friend' had 'de-friended' me.  She told me I should look up the meaning and we laughed about it. The 'de-friend' incident happened a couple of months ago but today is the first time I thought anything about looking up the meaning.  The urban dictionary defines it as this: To remove someone from your Livejournal, MySpace, Facebook, or other social networking site. Doing this is often seen as a passive-aggressive move, telling the person without telling them that you no longer want to be friends. It's also commonly a response to drama. Defriending someone often causes more drama...

Well interesting enough I had the opportunity to ask this "de-friender' face to face recently if we could be friends, as in real life. True to the defriending definition above, indeed the response was full of drama, providing an opportunity for a scene to be played out which I could have done without.  But I fell for it all, and when I did I was actually left in tears! Damn!(Yup you heard me right.)  You see, I simply wanted to know what it was I had done but the response was that I already knew, yes I did know, and I knew that I knew.  So are you wondering what it was I did?  Me too!

Here's another definition:  "be-friend".   It means to behave as a friend to someone.  So you see, I befriended this person who then defriended me.  Short-lived?  I'll say.  Shaking my head.  

Here's a good lesson from a very Good Book: "We should not share our wisdom with those who are militant, ready to fight, or an unbeliever lest they turn on us and insult us or do us harm. They might turn upon us and might distort what we are saying and might even attack us. " Yup. Stuff I've said and done sure has been distorted and even more things have been made up.  A meaning that is accepted by many Christians is that when the Bible refers to Paul having a 'thorn in his flesh' it meant there was a person in his life that annoyed him, perhaps bringing out the worst in Paul, maybe even causing him to act out or speak in anger.  Well - that would show that Paul was human, still in need of Christ.  It probably kept him from getting a big head. I think I know what Paul dealt with if that was the case. I hate that someone brought out the worst in me but maybe it needed to happen.  Sharing 'pearls' of wisdom, knowledge, offering guidance and advice, even criticism when needed often is found in friendship. These 'pearls' are based upon the reality of a multitude of experiences, good or bad. I believe we go through 'stuff' to be able to help someone else with a similar situation at another point in time.  Being defriended by the person I befriended shows me that's not always the case.  Sometimes, it's simply because we need to remember that the fruit of the Spirit of Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  DE-FRIEND THAT!

It's about life! Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

Reflections of Mother's Day

My "mum"

Mother's Day.  This day means many different things for all of us. For people like me whose mother is no longer living it can bring a renewed longing for what once was.  For those who have never been a mother it can be an uncomfortable day simply because of the emphasis placed upon the celebration.  But hopefully, for most people the celebration of Mother's Day is a special one spent with family and friends.  Our church typically would place a lot of emphasis on honoring all mother's in attendance in various ways through the years.  Often there was recogniztion given for the oldest mother, the mom with the most children, youngest mother, and the grandmother with the most grandchildren.  One year all the women in the church who are moms were invited to stand upon the church 'stage' and the congregation prayed for all of us and then we were each given a beautiful corsage. Going to church on Mother's Day was always special, whether a child or an adult.  When I was a little girl it was great fun to plant a flower seed in a paper cup and carefully nurture it from week to week in anticipation of giving it to my mom on Mother's Day.  Many years later I enjoyed being on the other end of this as my own children proudly presented me with little marigold seedlings growing in a little cup or placed in a handmade flower pot.  If I look through my prized possessions I am sure I could find one of the flower pots or two.  Through the years I also tried to make Mother's Day very special for my own mom.  Especially because my dad had passed away while I was pretty young so she was everything to me, all that I had for many years and I loved and respected her greatly.   There was the year that I celebrated my own first Mother's Day and she was there to be sure it was very special.  She even gave me an "Expecting to be a mother" Mother's Day card which I do still have.

Last night my own lovely daughter and her children came and picked me up and took me out to dinner.  I was reminded of how different our lives and times are.  She works over 40 hours a week, is always going here or there with her children, and barely has enough hours in her day to get enough sleep before getting up and doing it all over again.  She is a wonderful mother and I always tell her this.  She has a good husband who has often worked from home to take care of their children and who now works a night shift so he can be there during the day with the younger ones.  This is a sacrifice of their own special relationship. But time has a way of passing us by, and one day the two individuals who were there in the beginning - are once again a couple as the children are grown and on their own.  Our son and his wife have a beautiful family as well and I'm so glad everyone lives nearby. Our daughter in law is also a terrific mom.  The toughest Mother's Day for me was the one that followed my mom's death. If not for the love and sensitivity of John and our two then younger children it would have been even more difficult.  She's been physically gone from my life since 1990 and there are times I just miss her so very much.  Shortly after her death our 11 year old Golden Retriever had a stroke and had to be put to sleep.  I came running into the house crying, reaching for the phone and began to dial my mom's phone number.  She'd understand what I was going through. But of course I quickly remembered that she was not going to be there at the end of the phone.  Funny how I so clearly remember that.  My mum loved animals, all animals and I grew up with that same love and respect for them as well.  Any cat or dog that we ever had lived to have a long and healthy life. She let me raise rabbits, doves, and even at one time white mice (EWWWWW).  My mom had a green thumb and our home was full to overflowing with all kinds of house plants.  When she died I brought most of them home with me but few survived.  Her Christmas Cactus however is still thriving and in the capable hands of my daughter.  I hope someday to have a slip of that myself.  My moms outdoor gardens were simple but beautiful.  We lived very very close to the ocean and the salty sea air was good for all her flowers and ornamental trees. I do have some of her original Iris bulbs growing here at ATB and our daughter has some 'heritage' flowers growing at her home.  I should mention my mother in law here too.  While other people complained about theirs I could only smile and thank God for this woman who gave life to my husband and the love and special relationship the two of us shared.  'Nana" taught me necessary things like how to fold sheets and cook.  My mom always worked outside of the home to support us after my dad died so teaching me about domestic engineering was not possible.  Nana also was a positive influence on both of our children as we lived right next door. Not to say that was always fun - but it had it's benefits for sure. 

It's a cold, miserable, rainy day in Maine today.  John has been gone since yesterday to oversee things at the Maine Bird Dog Club Field Trial and will be home in just awhile.  Scooby spent the night with me last night and Rosie now lays at my feet.  This kind of weather causes flare ups of pain and stiffness that I hate to deal with. What a difference from a week ago when the temperatures were high 80's in NY!  So my rambling is my way of passing time today and a way of putting off the dreaded housework. UGH. And so my thoughts have turned to Mother's Day and to my mum. 

There are probably more than a few people in my life or sphere of influence who have not known what it's like to grow up with a firm foundation of love and security which is found through the nurturing, maternal instincts of a caring mother.  Through no fault of their own these are women who struggled, not only with the demands of motherhood, but of many other areas in their life. Either through sickness, disease, addiction, or circumstances of life something was broken inside of them and as a result it effected those around them who needed them to be whole.  I have known women on both sides of these issues and understand their pain even though I cannot relate to it.  In the past I have been involved with Christian ministries exclusively focused on helping to bring healing and reconcilliation to these broken relationships.  My heart aches for the daughters of women who have not known a mother's love, but my heart also aches for the mother whose daughter is cold and uncaring towards her.  I am not sure which pain is greater as they both live in their own private hell. There are many reasons and root causes for rejection to take hold in a relationship that SHOULD be the most important one in our lives.  Walking in wholeness and restoration is possible but it takes more than wishful thinking or generous gestures in hopes of compensating for what has been damaged or neglected.  It takes faith, forgiveness, humility and a deep desire to make all things new.  That's not something we get in our human strength or ability.  That is something freely given to us upon request by a loving, personal God who is only as far away as we can push Him.  For all those who hurt or who have less than a desirable parent/child relationship it does not have to remain that way. And for those of us who grieve the loss of a parent or a child, it is also in the arms of that same God that comfort is found. Always. No strings attached.  Only believe.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our All Things Brittany friends and family, God Bless, John, Ann and our canine crew!

All Things Brittany Spring Road Trip with some of our canine crew

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Spring Training All The Way Around

J & A's Apple Jack of Acton J.H.

Taken during a recent training session in Kennebunk on live birds.  Pointing (holding) a planted quail in this photo Jack's been honoring the English Setters who are also in training and having 'tune-ups' along with him.  The dogs are all just doing a stellar job with John, Mal, and Rob.  Pippin is sitting it out this week.

Just a little update tonight. Returned home not too long ago from True's handling class. He is doing so well as is Pam. Tonight the class practiced handing off each other's dog and it was a great exercise.  The composition of this class is extremely varied so the handler of a small Retriever could end up with a massive Great Dane!  It was a very fascinating experience.  We went through an entire mock show, explaining each step of the show ring and the procedures involved.  Penny is an excellent instructor. During the mock show she taught folks what to do in each situation of being in the ring including the placements, where to go, when to leave the ring, etc. etc.  Although there was absolutely NO competition among the students and their dogs, a Winner's Dog had to be created so... I was happy when it was True who demonstrated along with Pam exactly what to do!  I got a kick out of that and came home and told John about True winning WD (this is basically when your dog defeats all the other dogs of the same sex in the classes and depending on how many that is - could earn minor or major points towards a championship!)  One more week of classes and then I think we'll try True in a few shows to see how he does.  It may still be too early for him but we'll see! 

The dogs are enjoying the pond on a near daily basis now and I'm getting good at using the outdoor propane camp shower  to rinse them off with the warm water afterwards.  I like that they are swimming out further.  When Sassy was here on Sunday she jumped in and would have swam forever.  Still undecided about whether or not to pursue something with NAVHDA as far as testing goes but at least we'll have the opportunity for the water training?!

I have a few phone calls to return and will do that - between the both of us John and I have just not been home.  Yesterday we actually had a real dinner and movie date and capped it off by driving up to one of the new Tractor Supply Stores.  Strange but true.  Enjoyed ourselves so much.

The Brittanymobile is undergoing yet another transition as we prepare for the Maine Bird Dog field trials.  Three weeks of trials to work at in one way or another. Still time to enter your Brittany in Central Maine Brittany Club's spring trial May 22 and 23 - especially those youngsters, just to let them run.  We plan to run True and Piper. (I say we - it won't be me!)  The older dogs can enter either derby or gundog depending upon their level of training and/or ability to be steady to wing, flush, shot... something like that. 

I have just uploaded the Road Trip video to youtube.  Hope you enjoy it! By the way, the video of Treasure training her pups has been viewed almost 1,000 times!  Take care and God bless you and yours,
John, Ann and All Things Brittany

All Things Brittany Spring Road Trip: PART ONE

So a picture is worth a thousand words they say!  Despite the fact that some I love and who are near and dear to my heart don't believe me - here is the proof that I did ride a horse in New York.  If I had known it was going to be so enjoyable I would have rode all three braces at the field trail for our Brittanys that were futurity nominated.  But I did get on in time to ride the course the entire way to observe Pippin being expertly handled by Dawn Hill.   It was an amazing experience.   I have so much to write about but am not quite ready to put it all together.  Suffice to say that the Brittanymobile arrived in New York on Wednesday night after driving from Maine for 12 hours.  Julie was my co-pilot and Sassy, Bullet, and Pippin were good as gold for the entire trip. We ran into some severe crosswinds going through the Berkshires but the motor home held it's course.  Thursday the show went off so well, Nancy and Tony Morabito as well as Darlene Dow and Ed Kostka really put on a wonderful event.  I was so happy to meet for the first time people I'd only corresponded with over the years.  Never have I seen so many beautiful Brittanys gathered together in one place, it was such an honor to know that 3 of our "babies" were there to participate not only in the show but in the field trial.  I met all of my personal goals for the trip and then some.  Julie and I had so much fun together with our dogs.  I missed John terribly though and next time he's going to join me!   The highlight of the event truly was the field trial.  I'd only seen trials like this in the magazines before.  At the breakaway Bullet was superb!  He cast off from Julie with such boldness and purpose I was so proud.  And Pippin handled so well for Dawn.  I was able to view her the entire time from horseback and boy , is she something nice to watch in the field.  She loves Dawn who also handled her in the Specialty for me.  The highlight of the whole Futurity for me personally was when Bailey was announced Fourth Place in the Gun Dog Stakes out of 17 starters!  An Easter Futurity Placement in the Field!!! WOO HOO!  I was so happy to see how many Brittanys looked so beautiful in the ring one day and then turned to strut their stuff in the field the next.  That is what it is all about.  It meant a lot to me to have my picture taken with Paul and Bailey together, along with her ribbon and award. Thanks Dawn!  The next two days were spent in Massachusetts at Sassy's flyball tournament.  Sassy loves this sport is so good at it. I have pictures and a video to post eventually. It was so hot it was nearly unbearable and I was glad to have the Brittanymobile with the A/C on.  We arrived back home in Maine about 7:30 Sunday night.   There are so many details about this trip that I intend to share including a shout out or two for certain individuals and their dogs.  Speaking of which, I also came home with definite future plans for who Pippin will be bred to next year.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime I've got to stop and spend more time with John but will catch up again soon.  OH! Almost forgot to mention that I also spent some wonderful moments with Helen and 3 month old Tenzing, who is well on his way to being trained for his Agility career!  TAke care and God Bless, John, Ann and All Things Brittany - (I missed our entire Brittany crew so much!)