Maine Voting

There's a whole lot of things I could write about tonight but the one thing uppermost on my mind is the upcoming elections.  Years ago I never did pay much attention to these things other than to know which political party my parents were affiliated with.  I grew up living through the moments of the assasinations of both Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr., the reality of the Viet Nam War and Woodstock, became of age at the end of the "Hippie" generation and knew all about what pscychedelic meant and was.  I did walk the few miles to elementary school in rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain - save those times when my friend's grandfather, my mum, or other kids parents would come pick us up.  And I didn't complain about walking when they didn't.  Going uptown meant walking from New Castle N.H. with a group of friends, over the causeway, crossing the two bridges and heading to downtown Portsmouth for the afternoon.  Sometimes that meant catching a bus on the ride home but not always. I fell in love with Paul McCartney when I was in 3rd grade and sneaked my way around the house so as I could see the Ed Sullivan show the night they came to America, listening to my parents criticize the Beatles and their strange hairstyles and behavior.  I had a dad and mom who shielded me from the "F" word and walked away from strangers who wanted to give little girls candy.  Went to church every Sunday although I didn't know what that was all about until... until much much older and had a real live genuine life changing BORN AGAIN experience which radically changed my view of everything - including - you guessed it - POLITICS and GOVERNMENT.   I knew right off I did not want to remain in the same political party as my parents and when it was time for me to register to vote it was as an Independent where I remained for quite a few years... When John and I first were married, we both registered that way. In time though it was clear to me I had become extremely conservative concerning some issues so decided that it was time to declare myself as a Republican.  So here in this blog I'm really committing the ultimate faux paus, openly talking about politics and religion.  As far as religion, I know Jesus as my personal savior and as a Christian I've gone from just as many extremes in my beliefs as I did in my political parties.  In some ways I am very traditional and in other ways I am very extreme.  Extreme because I do not want to be in a church where they say you have freedom to worship God as the Holy Spirit leads but when you begin to do just that you discover once again someone has put God in a box - which NO ONE can do nor should they try to do.  I have preached sermons, ministered to many, seen miracles happen, given and received, been blessed but probably have cursed as much as I've been blessed, and I have experienced and continue to experience the reality of God's amazing GRACE and FORGIVENESS.  I have praised Him on a mountain top and danced before Him at the ocean, and prayed to Him privately in my own home while the house was silent.  I've been to Israel, stood at Calvary and saw that indeed the tomb is empty, unlike that of Buddha, Mohammed, etc. etc.  As far as politics and religion...well I do not want my church or my government dictating how I should act, feel, believe, vote, live, or die. But! My convictions are based on what the Word of God says and how the Holy Spirit leads me to intrepert what is written, about God, about Jesus and about government.  In a nutshell, this is what government and politics all boils down to for me:   .....and the government will be on his shoulders... Isaiah 9:6 

You can be an atheist and know that this world is a huge mess and if things don't change soon none of us are going to have to worry about whether the Mayan calendar is true or not.  But I'm not here to preach. I am here to simply make this statement:  No matter what your 'system of belief' is you have the right to exercise your 'belief' when you go to the voting polls next Tuesday.  Before you do, closely examine the reality around you.  Is your life better off today than it was two years ago?  Are you blaming the previous administration for the problems of today?  Is your future more secure today?  Examine your heart.  The political ads and campaigns are coming at us fast and furious. 

I have pretty much made my mind up. My Maine vote may not be the same as your Maine vote and finding myself somewhat to be influential within my own sphere of influence in this state, I know those who know me well already understand how I will vote. 

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON TUESDAY!!!!

Not your typical All Things Brittany posting but the good news is - I will be announcing GOOD NEWS within the next week or so, news we have all been waiting to hear.  So thank you for bearing with me through this rare stance on a soap box of politics and religion.  I did say you are bound to find most anything on the ATB blog!  Take care, God bless you always - John, Ann, and our Brittany crew

Happy 1st Birthday Piper !

Happy Birthday Sweet Little Piper!

One year ago tomorrow our little Piper was born.  The past 365 days have been so much fun getting to know all about Piper and because of all the happiness she's brought to ATB.  A little history is always fun and so it goes with Piper's arrival here.  Her mother Chloe had been hunted with another of Jack's daughters over in New Hampshire.  Chloe's owner was quite impressed with Zoe's hunting abilities and asked about her breeding. One thing led to another and soon we all met in person, including Chloe and JackDog, and it was good.  Time passed by and eventually things took place that needed to place and the waiting began.  The phone call came that we'd been waiting for - Jack and Chloe's pups were born and all were doing well!  John had decided by then he would really like to add one of Jacks daughters to the ATB family here for all the right reasons.  Chloe comes from Brownstone and Indian Acre lines which boast of some very notable Brittanys including several dual champions, field and show champions and line breedings on Renegades Kansas Kid.  In addition to knowing all of this, we had the benefit of personal knowledge regarding the actual hunting ability of both parents. 

Piper's family made a visit to Massachusetts in between Christmas and New Years and John went down to pick her up.  Her owners family showed him so much hospitality he hated to leave. It was hard for her first famiy to say goodbye to Piper. She was the only girl and she had been raised with several really nice kids.  Being a little over a month younger than True puppy, it was natural for the two of them to become quick buds.  And to this day they are still best buds, known around here simply as 'the pups.'

Piper intrigued us from the start. Her fiesty independence was at times quite challenging but we decided early on not to put her fire out with too much obedience training in the beginning.  She was John's dog. She was not Ann's dog. And this can very often mean two very different things here at All Things Brittany!  Equally loved and cared for by both of us - when John 'wants' a dog to train for hunting, I happily yield right away! Of course I'm always in the background working with stacking, gaiting, grooming - just in case I want to steal her away for a show or two.  The truth of it is that John has an exceptional way about him when it comes to training the dogs to hunt. His ways are not always my ways and vice versa and we respect each other that way.  So while True puppy was going to handling classes every week, Miss Piper was getting extra time with John in the field.  True went to his first show readily prepared and was in the ribbons each day, including Reserve for his second show.  Piper equally wowed us with her first place in open puppy in the spring at just 7 months old.  She also earned her first leg towards her AKC Junior Hunter Title this fall, not quite a year along with her best bud True who has two legs earned. 

Bird hunting season in Maine opened on October 1st.  Most of our Brittanys have been out with John and friends several times.  The pups especially. I have lost count how many birds John has shot over them and I never tired of sitting with John at the end of the day  to hear the hunting stories. (Yes... my knee and back have kept me at home but hope that will change soon.)  I love to greet them as they pull into the driveway then let the dogs out of the truck, they come running and jumping, happily wagging their tails and John reaches into the back of the truck to show me a bird or two. Sometimes John hunts his pups together, other times one on one and he puts them with the adults too. Both of his pups (notice I'm including True...) are now trained to hold their bird, steady to flush, wing, and shot. They honor. And they retrieve.  There's a need for tuning up the finer parts, style and intensity but we are talking about yearling pups.  It does not get any better than that!

Miss Piper - was named J & A's High Flyin' Girl of Acton, after the "Piper" cub.  A little bit about that is written on Pipers page on the Maine Brittany Site. She more than lives up to her name of being a high flying girl!  We love her to pieces and once again want to say thank you to Fred and Lynette for the opportunity to have this sweet little Brittany and to your sweet family for the excellent socializing!!  Happy 1st Birthday Piper to you and to all  your littermates!  In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing interest in All Things Brittany - take care and God Bless you, John, Ann and our funloving Brittany crew!

The J & A's Brittanys Purpose Driven Breeding Program

Brittany Breeding - 101
The ’genetic recipe’ of all Brittanys includes the ability to work and perform as an intelligent hunting dog. All Brittanys should point and find game at the most elementary level. We feel that as hobby breeders, the burden of proof rests with us regarding the validity of these statements. We enjoy a purpose driven breeding program that includes careful selection and planning well in advance for each successive breeding.  Our ongoing evaluation of our fun loving Brittany crew begins at birth and includes important feedback through the years from those who will love and own them. We are devoted to our Brittanys and consider it of utmost importance to learn specific things about each one as well as the great dogs behind them in their pedigrees. We make an effort to maximize the learning potential of each sweet little Brittany puppy by making it fun for them while stimulating its learning ability, interests and natural instincts. We know what we can expect to see in our Brittanys, what they stand to inherit, which traits to anticipate and look for in our pups. We can recognize and work to resolve uncertainties without sacrificing the quality attributes and strengths which we have identified to be consistent here:

• high intelligence level
• natural bird hunting abilities
• natural retrieving skills
• soft mouth
• versatility
• ease of training, cooperative
• biddable with a well balanced, fun-loving disposition with children and adults
• dual purpose  

The majority of J & A’s Brittanys families are primarily interested in a close working gundog. Speaking of burden of proof, we are happy to head out into the bird field and work with a parent, sibling, or other adult relative of a J &  A’s Brittany pup under consideration. Without any hype we enjoy demonstrating the full potential of your puppy as demonstrated in 4 generations of Brittanys from our program. The dogs like to show off too.

The Art of Raising a Litter
It is a labor of love to get a pup ready to spend the rest of their life as an alert friendly, fearless, inquisitive, happy, and smart Brittany. It is perhaps the most important thing we can do. Our preparation begins by establishing a firm, solid, foundation of trust and respect. The groundwork we lay includes the potential new owner as we guide and direct them in their own preparations to eventually bring pup home. We have always referred to this as "the first day of the rest of their life". As we entrust the care of a Brittany puppy into the loving arms of fully prepared new owners we are assured and confident they are responsible to continue what began here, long before pup was even born. In the meantime, here is a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at J & A’s Brittanys.

When expecting, the mother receives the best possible pre-natal care and given the most respect throughout her pregnancy, whelping, nursing and rearing of her puppies. Although monitored closely, she is afforded privacy during labor and delivery with minimal assistance. Whelping occurs in a quiet atmosphere of low lighting, soft music, and warm, comfortable and clean surroundings. The safety, mental health, and overall well being of the nursing mother and her pups will always preclude any thought of ever permitting another family dog into her whelping box and surrounding area. Those are our rules and ATB respects them.

We remain nearby taking cues from the mother should our assistance be needed during delivery and to reassure her with our presence. Most of the time our presence is welcome but we respect cues that indicate otherwise! Shortly after birth each pup is carefully examined, photographed and weighed. Important information is quickly recorded and pup returned to it’s mother. This actually is their first “stimulation exercise!” We enjoy close observation of neo-natal pups and the interactions with their mother and siblings, sometimes simply sitting close by for hours. Neo natal pups are kept under an infra-red heat lamp, the temperature of the whelping box closely monitored. The whelping box is arranged so that one area is cooler for mom. A security surveillance camera, 2 way monitor, and a remote digital temperature sensor assure us peace of mind concerning their well-being 24 hours a day. Pups will eventually  outgrow their initial need for such an intimate, private, and nurturing environment but not for several weeks.  To avoid endangering any aspect of this stage of development we safeguard their nest and den on their behalf.  Lessons and rules learned from mother and siblings are crucial especially during the first 3 - 4 weeks for many reasons. The health and stability of these early interactions prepares the way for the most important relationship of all, the one they will have with humans.

The first 72 hours is critical as pups are weighed at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours to be sure they are gaining weight. We then weigh them every 24 hours and look for their birth weight to double around 10 day. Pups are handled daily.  Certain behavior is anticipated at various stages and it’s fun to watch for and identify each one. We identify similarities and differences in the pups as well as previous litters. Although the evaluation process is ongoing from birth we have identified key periods for individual testing and evaluations and have developed a series of tests and exercises for pups. The exercises help us evaluate the pups while providing them with new learning opportunities as they experience new sights, tastes, sounds, surfaces, scents, etc. The more things a puppy is exposed to at an early age the easier it is for them to learn.

The animal - human bond is established slowly and deliberately. Keeping our purpose based breeding program in mind we begin by reinforcing the canine rules taught by the mother Brittany, introduce human manners, and continually provide stimulus to enrich the environment of our Brittany puppies. Our methods of evaluating puppy development has been refined over time and is based on highly respected research by Pffafenberger, Volhart, Hastings, etc.

From about 4.5 weeks on life for the young Brittany pup changes rapidly.  Supervised and gradual introduction to the rest of the ATB family begins. Visits from prospective new families, evaluations by people unknown to the pups, romps here there and everywhere, increased time with children, introductions to the crate, collar, and leash and so much more. It is a busy time where every moment of the day is devoted to puppy care in one way or another.  And it is perhaps the most enjoyable part of raising a litter of pups despite the hard work involved. 

Weaning in itself is an important part of their development.  The first time a young pup is introduced to warm puppy mash is quite hilarious.  Each pup reacts different and in the end it is one big mess. It is a great photo opportunity!  Pups are separated from their mother for a few hours so as not to nurse and then have quite the appetite to try something new.  When they are finished mom comes back in to clean up the dish and her babies.  Once weaning is well underway pups are separated  from their mother for several days and fed warm puppy mash 5 times daily. When weaning is complete they are reunited with her for extended periods right up until the time they go home. No one can teach respect to a young puppy like a mother dog. Pups are usually eating dry or slightly moistened kibble 3 times a day when they go home.

We know just how to guide a new Brittany owner to help their pup reach its full potential. We stand behind every Brittany puppy we are responsible for bringing into this world and will remain available for the lifetime of the dog. Despite what the dog has inherited, and regardless of how well prepared it is when it leaves us - training must be ongoing. Just obtaining a Brittany from a good line is not enough. The new owner must provide proper nutrition, nurturing and training regardless of pups intended purpose. If the dog is to be hunted, regular and frequent exposure to birds is a must. (All J & A’s Brittanys pups are introduced to birds before leaving.)

We do have minimal requirements which include signing up for basic puppy classes and letting us know when and where they have been scheduled. All potential puppy buyers read "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete, a book similar to our beliefs on raising a puppy. (It is enjoyable to use this book and follow along as labor approaches, pups are born etc.) Additionally, hunting families also read "Bill Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs" a very humane approach to gun dog training. Before bringing a pup home new owners provide us with the date of the appointment they’ve made for pup to visit their vet within the first week.

All necessary health clearances are done well in advance of a breeding and only the healthiest of all Brittanys is used. We will always take a Brittany back. (Some of our policies and contractual agreements are based on Maine’s animal welfare laws regarding the sale of dogs, some of which we actually were involved with the legislative process of making years ago.)

STUD SERVICE
Stud services of several J & A's Brittany's males are available for consideration including those owned by other individuals.

SERIOUS INQUIRIES
We maintain a waiting list of carefully selected homes, people considered as a “Serious Inquiry” and prepared to welcome a Brittany into their life based on:

• Prior Brittany experience or sporting dog breed
• Active lifestyle
• Love of the outdoors
• Hunting family
• Experienced, responsible dog owner
• References such as vets, trainers, other breeders, etc.
• Understanding a wait is usually involved

J & A’s pups are not defined with a single function in mind. They are dual purpose dogs. Our client’s homes are not defined as a show quality, pet quality, or a hunting quality home. They are full quality homes. We encourage involvement in showing, hunt tests, field trials, fly ball, agility, obedience etc. We will provide the very best puppy possible according to your expectations including a prospective show dog.

The following steps are involved when inquiring about a J & A's Brittany:

• Initial contact us via email from the Maine Brittany site
• Our immediate response which may include a phone call, forwarded information, email, etc.
• Your indication to proceed further by returning required questionnaire and references (to discourage random Internet inquiries our questionnaire is only available via direct request)
• Our review and follow up with an invitation to come and meet us and our canine crew
• In the case of an expectant mother or very young puppies visits are delayed temporarily 

In closing and in the end, it is all for the love of the dog both given and received.  I know it sounds like a lot of work and I suppose it is.  But as has been said before, it is a labor of love and it is what we are called to do with our lives at this point in time. Even so, love me love my dogs. 

CT Opening Day - Jersie & Brandi

Congratulations to Jim and Jersie pictured here with Jersie's first bird, a beautiful cock pheasant!  Brandi looks on who also had a succesful opening day as well!  Brandi (Treasure and Gibson pup) just turned 1, and Jersie is 8.5 months old (Jack and Molly pup). 

Also have heard from the Poulin family and  Boog (Brandis' brother) and Remi (Chrissy and Jack pup) did a stellar job of bird hunting as well up in Maine during their recent bird hunting trip and the owner of the self professed "best Brittany is the world" is well pleased!  I dare say he has some friendly competition.  ALL THINGS BRITTANY is extra proud of ALL of our hunting Brittanys this year for sure and the reports keep coming in - something we love to hear!

John, Ann and crew

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Dogs, Beautiful Wish!

Birch Springs Wish Upon A Star "Wish"

Who could have known?  Nearly 6 years ago John and I drove a few hours away to southern New Hampshire to inquire about the availability of a female liver and white Brittany, just about 18 months old.  When her co-owner led her down the path at a close heel my mouth dropped in astonishment at how beautiful this young girl was.  There were other things going on at the time but it was "Wish" who captured my attention.  I had never seen such intense expression in any Brittanys eyes before.  Her size was perfect to me and I saw what was in my opinion a Brittany who looked the way a Brittany was supposed to look.  Her coat, the texture, her structure truly astounded me.  And then her personality exploded in front of my eyes as she bounded and ran and jumped with glee and there was no question John and I wanted her to come home with us. Wish has never ceased to amaze me with her individual and unique style, her incredibly strong natural near primal hunting instincts and above all - her ability to time and time again pass this along to not only her children, but to her grandchildren and... if all goes well... soon to her great-grandchildren. 

I have never ever been able to capture Wish on film accurately.  When I've been hunting with her in the past and she locked up on woodcock there was no camera.  And at home or at play - she is so quick in movement that by the time I get her locked into the viewfinder she has moved or just looks awkward.  But today was different.  Today I was able to take the picture of Wish that I've always longed to have and just wanted to share such a simple thing here on our blog. 

John spend the afternoon bush-hogging some nearby acreage so ATB minus Jack - were here with me. Not a day for training or hunting, just a day for hanging out and enjoying the beautiful weather that October 2010 has offered us so far.  I grabbed the camera and headed down back to spend some time sitting down and relaxing on Timbers tree stump. Actually I should now call it the ATB tree stump for they all jump up and down and join me whenever I rest there.  Last year when the excavating was going on for the pond John gave our nephew Robbie explicit orders not to move that stump or let anything happen to it.  There's a lot of good reasons for that including how, when Timbers cremains were released on the wind, to freely soar like an eagle some settled there around his tree stump.

Anyway.  I bet we all spent a good two hours simply 'being'.  Being in the moment.  Feeling the warmth of the sun.  Some splashing in the ever dwindling water left in the pond.  Running, hunting, digging, playing with non-hazardous snakes, stealing bones from each other, burying them, barking, acting crazy like Brittanys love to do and finally, eventually just all laying down around me when we returned to the front yard.  Be forewarned, I do have a ton of photos and videos to edit!

I guess I have to say that for the first time my knee may actually be on the mend.  I know this because I was able to tromp down to the ponds and the woods, back up to the front yard, and then power wash the kennel runs, play with the dogs some more before finally feeling a need to rest. This is a big deal.

But back to Wish... I love her.  I love what is wild and untamed within her but I love her sweetness and intuitiveness. And listen to this crazy story.  About a month ago I tried a telepathic thing with the dogs... I sat down and closed my eyes and focused on a dog coming up to me without calling them specifically. Soon I felt the gentle nudge of a Brittany head on my hands and opened my eyes.  It was Wish!  I really didn't expect it would be her.  So I figured it was a coincidence.  Did it again once all the dogs were off doing their own thing.  This time a dog jumped up behind me on the picnic table and began to kiss my ear.  And what do you know, it was Wish again!!!   Once more, I let time pass and the dogs were here, there and everywhere.  Tried it one last time.  This time she was far away.  I closed my eyes and waited, just mentally calling a dog, any dog to me.  And she came bounding to me, stood in front with eyes gleaming brightly and tail wagging furiously.  Okay.  I need to get a life.. Oh wait.  I do have one. It is called All things Brittany!   And I love it! Take care and God bless, John, Ann and ATB

An ATB Family Affair

Dayton, Maine was the place to be today for a gorgeous fall afternoon spent in the pheasants fields.  For ATB it truly was a family affair as Jack and his daughter Piper, and True with his father Gibson accompanied John and Sam for a total of 3 hens and 1 cock pheasant between them all.  Birdwork was good for all the dogs with John being especially pleased with the two pups, not quite a year old. True backed his 'uncle' Jack  who was solidly pointing a hen.  When shots were fired you could count on Jack for the retrieves.  Gibson had a solid point and when Sam went in  for the flush 2 hens went up.   All in all it was a great time for bird hunting among not only the dogs but also for John and Sam.  The weather could not have been more beautiful.   Congratulations especially to True and Piper on their first successful hunt.  Getting closer to our first pheasant feast being served up on the ATB dining room table~!  Hope everyone else is enjoying the wonderful Maine weather and especially those of you are fortunate enough to get into the woods with your dogs.  Take care and God Bless, John, Ann and ATB

Congratulations Ron, Pam, & "Casper" on her first bird!

Pam and Ron forwarded this photograph to me on Face Book and I just wanted to share it with everyone else too.  A very humble and beautiful Miss Casper is pictured above with her first ring neck pheasant !
Many of you follow along on our blog and are familiar with the ATB 'family'.  Casper's nickname when still here was "Trish" (a combination of her grandmother's name - Wish - and of course her mother's.)  We're very proud of Casper's achievement.  The journey leading up to her first bird has been quite a lot of fun.  It started when John's cousin recommended Pam and Ron to us, regarding a Brittany, they had been unsuccessful in locating any Brittany breeders. The first time we met together we discovered that we all had a lot in common not to mention the friendship with John's cousin and his wife.  We all go back quite a ways!  We were happy to journey together through the pregnancy and waiting, the first puppy visit, evaluations and finally the first day of the rest of "Casper's" life - which includes two other older Brittanys in her family, and two people who not only totally adore Brittanys, but who enjoy bird hunting. What else has been nice is that, as often is the case, friendships developed among the various owners of the litter mates and many have stayed in touch, the circle ever growing and expanding.  It's been fun for me to especially watch this happen, everyone has such an interest in each others pup and it's also helpful to John and I of course to be able to remain close and see the development.  But the friendships that develop - these I am thankful and grateful for.  This summer Ron and Pam brought Casper back to ATB and John spent several afternoons having some fun together working on birds. I don't think anyone can ever foresee the depth of friendship and caring that ultimately does develop and it's certainly nothing that a person buying a puppy might consider an end result.  It's awesome though and really beneficial.  As our ATB family grows and expands we all help each other out; tips about basic dog care, training tips, and even health issues are shared; I can't explain it.  I absolutely love taking pictures of our crew here, but even more so I love to get photographs from those who have a J&A Brittany. I guess I'm pretty happy about all of this tonight.  Even as John and I plan for the future we are in touch with people all the time who are interested in knowing more about our Brittanys. I have to say with pride and humility mixed together - my heart is touched deeply when I learn that people have heard about us, about our dogs, and about all that ATB entails.  What happens here, among All Things Brittany is something very unique, wonderful and amazing.  Relationship... Caring... Laughing... Learning... Supporting... oh... so much more!  So  you see - the picture of Miss Casper and Miss Millie below, as well as all of the updates on the website about ATB about the Brittanys we are the proud breeders of - has made me pause, made me reflect, and made me smile.  Thank you to all of those who love our Brittanys, who have made them an important part of your life - for becoming such an important part of ours. And to those of you who are now on the fringes, waiting with us perhaps for your next Brittany puppy, and those of you who we hear from once in awhile - please know - we're so very appreciative for your interest not only in this breed, but in supporting our values, ideals, and the reality of something very very incredulous and wonderfully real... which...for the life of me I cannot even put into words... Other than to say... God works in mysterious ways... please take care, God bless you and indeed, in love and in friendship - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

Congrats Greg and Millie !

Greg and "Millie" Opening Day

Well, John and Jack were not the only lucky ones on the first day of Maine's Bird Hunting Season !  Greg sent us this awesome picture of him and Millie and a real nice pheasant.  We've had the pleasure of knowing Greg for about a year and a half now, since he and his family first stopped by to meet ATB when looking for a Brittany pup.  I remember being very pleased that he had been referred to us by friends who operate a gundog supply store in Windham, Maine.  Greg knew what he wanted in a Brittany and they said we could help him out.  Anyhow!  Greg and John had talked a lot about training Millie and the best way to do it. In the end after meeting with our friend Bob Paucek and with John personally assuring Greg it would be great for Millie, he sent her to summer bird training camp.  We knew it would be very hard for Greg to part with Millie and had several discussions about it.  I also personally understood the hole in your heart that comes when you send a dog away to be with a trainer.  Yesterday though it all came together for both Millie and for Greg even in the pouring rain! Greg wrote about Millie's stellar hunting performance and we are just as happy and pleased as we can be - and so is Bob! *I was just reading Gregs June 27th comment posted here, when he had just dropped Millie off for her 3 months of training - wow has the time gone by quickly!

Still battling a rotten cold but things could be a whole lot worse.  John is looking forward to getting out and doing more bird hunting in the afternoon next week. I'm taking it very easy all the way around.  The third synvisc injection was done last week and now I have a month to wait for real pain relief.  Again, John says he sees improvement in my gait but the knee itself is far from pain free even with the percieved improvement on flexibility. I simply have had to resign myself to the fact for the time being my daily activities are minimal.  I'm extra careful around the dogs who also seem to be extra careful with me when outside together. 

Wow it's pretty cold tonight, I guess we're supposed to have a heavy frost. The wood stove is already. I came close to starting a smudge in it the other day but held off.  Last winter Linda Hobart of West Forks Maine gifted me with a wonderful pair of hand knit slippers. She and her husband Dee have two of our Brittanys, Becca and Durgin. Speaking of handcrafted items, at last count Julie is 4 puppy blankets up in anticipation of Treasure and Gibson's hopefully soon and succesful repeat breeding! 

I'm enjoying the 2nd book in the Highlander/Outlander series by Diana Gabaldron - what took me so long?  A friend of ours gave me the first book but it took me forever to get going with it.  Now that I have I am hooked!  Julie has the rest of them and has already loaned me book number 3.

Well if you get a chance to comment on the website let me know if you see any goofs or what you think, better or worse.   And in the meantime take care and God Bless and thank you for your interest in ATB,
John, Ann and the crew

Maine Bird Hunting - Opening Day

October 1, 2010

Jack and John headed out early on this drizzly, overcast Friday morning and returned home to ATB by 8:30 a.m. with a very nice young hen pheasant.  Sitting down over a cup of coffee together I listened intently to hear the story and was not disappointed.  Jack had no trouble picking up the pheasant's scent and showed John a really nice stylist point.  The hen pheasant ran in the grass for a little bit while Jack held steady and John tried to flush.  She took flight and John took two shots, the second one bringing the bird down.  John released JackDog to retrieve the bird.  Jack quickly located the downed pheasant and brought her directly back to John's hand without any damage to the bird.  Relying on the weather forecast which had predicted heavy rains on Friday John had left the youngsters at home but wished later on they had accompanied him. It was not raining. (Anyone notice how 'off' the forecasts have been lately?  As I write the sun is coming, temperature and humidity are rising.)  When they returned back to ATB they were greeted exuberantly especially by Treasure who always has to get her nose in the middle of things.  I was reminded of last fall when Treasure was days away from whelping her first litter of pups and therefor missed out on going with Jack and John.  She checked the bird, John, Jack, the shotgun, the interior of the truck and truckbed out sufficiently and of course had to be in the middle of the picture taking such as pictured above!  I will be pouring through my favorite pheasant recipes !  Congratulations to Jack and John!