You'll Be In My Heart, ALWAYS...

Dear Prescious Puppies of our Nova Litter:

We are drawing near to the first day of the rest of your lives.  Daily now the time spent with you here becomes even more meaningful.  John and I have done the very best we can do for you and this will continue right up until the moment we place the lead into the hand of your new owner. We have given of our time, resources, experience, knowledge and poured our lives into your own.  The love affair only once alluded to has become a strong commitment of trust, affection, and a deep love and concern between our hearts.  You each look into my eyes and as you do I hold your attention with my own gaze.  I look as deeply into your eyes as you are looking into mine. I see YOU and you see ME.  You are so smart! You have learned the very basics of clicker training, and this is the first time I applied this to puppy socialization, it was an experiment, and I am amazed at what I see. When I approach you somehow to manage to contain all that excitement and energy and focus on sitting quietly.  For a few brief seconds, you remain steadfast without jumping up, mouthing, or demanding attention.  You watch me.  I watch you.  Eyes meet: Click. Treat.  You stay put. Eyes meet: Click.Treat.  This is repeated several times with 8 of you.  The click is replaced by the words 'go-o-o-o-o-d puppy'.  The words are then replaced by a gentle scratch underneath your chin; underneath your chin so that you will not feel intimidated by the approach of my hand coming down on top of your head.  I think you're brilliant!  I think you're amazing!  I think... no.. I KNOW... I LOVE YOU.  I love to toss your mother's quilt out on the floor among you and quickly make my way to sit down in your midst.  Private, quiet times are shared with all of us.  John has his special times with you just like I do.  We enjoy you together, and alone.  And so many people have met you, interacted with, loved on and held you. Sometimes you are like piranhas, other times a little sleepy, and sometimes actually most of the time - absolutely sweet, cuddly, loveable and everything anyone could ever hope for. I am running around checking my lists twice, getting puppy take home bags ready, preparing for the vet visit tomorrow, packing a few days worth of puppy food, making sure everything is ready for your big day. You look at me with questioning eyes, eyes that ask the question, "is this ALL there is to life?"  And my heart answers that question with joy saying 'you are going to have a wonderful, full, happy, life'.  I know this is true because John and I have worked very hard to assure this, planning long before you were born or even conceived.  You are wanted, and you have been wanted in some cases for a very long time.  Puppy babies, you pull and tug at my pant legs and my shoestrings but the tugging is strongest on my heartstrings this day.  Yes, we've had Brittany pups before and we will definitely have Brittany pups again in the future - near future hopefully. But that does not lessen or weaken any of the love I feel for you, for each of you as individuals.  This will not change in the weeks, months, or even the years to come.  In most cases we'll see each other again over time, often sharing pictures and updates and staying in touch through your wonderful owners, hand picked just for you. I'll remember things about each of you, private and public things, but all noteworthy and important.  Knowing you were born on our grandaughters birthday will always make you special.  And that you are the first litter we successfully clicker trained by 7 weeks old will remain significant, and encourage me to try that again for sure.  Being a winter litter is wonderful for hunting families - it means you'll hit the woods this fall after a summer of training!  But it also means a need to be more creative here with your socialization and development stages. And guaging by your behavior, the creativity has been ample!  Over the next few days you will be separated more and more, learning about the leash, collar, and crate.  Your instincts to keep your living area clean are strong and I'm sure you'll continue to housebreak yourselves under observant eyes of anxious owners hoping to keep accidents at a minimum.  Pups, you and I will be busy together the next few days as we savor each remaining moment together.  When asked if it is hard to say goodbye to you, I will be ready with my big brave answer and reasons why.  The words roll off my tongue but, as John knows...when I turn and walk away as you drive happily away on the first day of your rest of your life, it will be tears that roll down my cheeks, tears of joy and tears of letting go.

You'll Be In My Heart"

Come stop your crying, It will be all right

Just take my hand Hold it tight,

I will protect you, from all around you

I will be here, Don't you cry

For one so small, you seem so strong

My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm

This bond between us,  Can't be broken

I will be here, Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart, Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart, No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart, always

Why can't they understand, the way we feel

They just don't trust, what they can't explain

I know we're different but, deep inside us

We're not that different at all,

And you'll be in my heart, Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on, Now and forever more

Don't listen to them, 'Cause what do they know

We need each other, to have, to hold

They'll see in time, I know

When destiny calls you, You must be strong

I may not be with you, But you've got to hold on

They'll see in time, I know

We'll show them together

'Cause you'll be in my heart, Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on, Now and forever more

Oh, you'll be in my heart No matter what they say

You'll be in my heart, always, Always

Take care and God bless you ALWAYS... John, Ann, and All Things Brittany