Piper will soon to be on the road traveling to South Carolina. John and I kissed the girl goodbye this morning and left her in very good hands. This is the third time we have ever sent a member of ATB away for a specified period to participate in a professional gundog training program. (Greg - if you are reading this, see - we really do know how you felt about leaving Millie in June!) The first time we sent a dog away it was JackDog, and he spent June through October in nearby Buxton, Maine. Jack had just turned 1 when he left but we had the option of visiting him on weekends. The next time was when we said goodbye to Timber (Scoobys father) shortly after Thanksgiving. Timber went to South Carolina where Piper will be through March. I will always remember how excited I was to be counting the days until he returned and remember it because it was the day after John and I and other Brittany club members had participated in an AKC Meet The Breed event. Timber spent the entire winter having a blast on wild quail and other birds, something I am so thankful for! I know that many of our ATB family have also experienced the highs and lows of sending their best bud to bird training camp and it is never easy. Truthfully I was surprised when John mentioned sending Piper to winter camp but with her incredible hunting prowess I could understand why.
Winter and summer training programs are great for bringing out the best in developing gun dogs and field trial dogs alike. The dogs gain notable experience which adds to their instinctive knowledge through exposure to plenty of liberated and wild birds, exposure the average gundog owner cannot offer their dog. From the day Piper arrived at ATB last December, we've seen something very unique about her. I liken it to what the Hills have said about Bailey, another daughter out of Jack - "hunting right out of the box." I saw her drive and independence up close and personal at the age of 12 weeks when she was bound and determined to cover the entire woodland surrounding ATB during a major snowstorm, off leash ! That was a day I thought surely I'd drop dead of a heart attack while running through about 18' of freshly fallen snow to capture her. Miss Piper was not allowed off leash for quite some time after that experience. John and I agreed she was a pup who should receive very little by way of early obedience training at a young age, we needed to see what she was made of because it is a whole lot easier to train a hunting dog to hunt closer than it is to get out from under your feet. She definitely was no boot licker as a young pup!
The obedience to commands came in her own time over the course of the summer months where she daily was in the fields on birds, along with True and any other of our dogs. The high point of John's summer truly was developing these two youngsters at such an early age and the results have been impressive. Maybe they always are impressive; maybe they always have been impressive but this was the first full summer he has ever been able to devote specifically to the dogs training. John refers to Piper and True simply as 'the pups' although now they've passed their first birthday. It's not a secret he's not been overly fond of field trials and/or competitive events but I know that is changing; he saw what he could do with his own dogs while working with a seasoned veteran pro trainer. Who also became John's very good friend and mentor.
As the day goes on and we busy ourselves on this day before Thanksgiving I glance out the kitchen window to see several dogs outside sunning themselves. Rotation on this day means Molly, Rose, Treasure and of course Jack are indoors. The run which Piper used the most is noticably empty. I'm sure the other dogs have not paid any particular attention to that but I'm sure in a few days they will notice her absence. Especially True. He and Piper have been inseparable playmates, hunting partners and antagonizers of each other. (I plan to get him back into the ring as soon as I can afford to. He is magnificent.) When John returned home from dropping Piper off I asked 101 questions and he patiently answered quite a few. He said she was very interested in the other dogs around her, dogs that she would soon travel with and eventually train in. A whole new experience awaits her. A very positive experience.
We'll begin to head into the winter months, enjoying Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year. The daylight will linger at the end of the day before we know it. Our first snowstorms will come and go. And we will look forward to the confirmation of Treasure's pregnancy and the ultimate arrival of her puppies. We will also soon share the joy of the arrival of Bailey's pups in Connecticut, and eventually of Jasmines in New Hampshire. Plans are in place for our own breeding program which will carry us all the way through to spring 2012, with some very exciting plans. Dog events are on our calendar for next 12 months, trials and hunt tests, and more. Birthdays and anniversaries will be celebrated and good times shared with family and friends.
There is a purpose and a time for everything that occurs or is to occur in our lives. This is true from the day we are born right up until the day we breathe our last breath. One interesting concept about purpose is that what we do, who we are should somehow add value to the lives of others. Although we need money, our purpose is not to make money. My favorite Book contains a lot of information and guidance about life's purpose. There was a song out while I was a teenager based on God's purpose for His creation, His children.
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn, And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die, A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal, A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down, A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, A time to gather stones together
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace, A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace, A time to refrain from embracing
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose, A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate, A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!
Although the song was sung by a group known as The Byrds, the words were penned by King Solomon and are straight out the Bible in Eccliastes 3. I sure didn't know that when the song "Turn Turn Turn" was a big hit back in the late 60's! (A great commentary should one be so inclined is found http://clarke.biblecommenter.com/ecclesiastes/3.htm)
Well I've wondered onto a rabbit trail or so it seems and diverted from my original intent. But then I'm allowed to do that! I can try to bring it all together as I reflect on Piper's purpose, and the timing of this season in her life. I also can think of Thanksgiving tomorrow and so many things to be thankful for. And I can sit back and ponder about this season in my own life and the many untold blessings that come my way. This does not mean I am without frustration or that everything is Pollyanna like. But it does mean I can trust and know God is in control of all things, that I hope I can somehow affect the lives of others in a positive way, and at this point in time - it is these amazing Brittanys that we share our lives with and love who seem to be the common denominator in most situations these days.
Okay, time to take the Pumpkin Pie out of the oven! John and I hope that you and your family have a very wonderful Thanksgiving as you gather together tomorrow in your corner of the world. Take care and God bless you always, All things Brittany!
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