ATB Video: A Beautiful Morning / Treasure 7 week Update

(Pause Play List in right column before viewing music video below!)

March 23, 2012 - During a spring heat wave with record breaking temps reaching into the 80's !

There's a song from "Sound of Music" sung by Julie Andrews called "My Favorite Things".  It's a cute little diddy which focuses on the simpler things in life which give people a reason to smile and be happy.  The musical video above is relative to the concept of those simple things in life which are there for all of us to enjoy. The key is to just stop what we're doing at any given moment long enough to look around and discover that simplicity.  Dogs have the ability to do just that. Give them an opportunity to simply be dogs and they will take that opportunity and literally run with it!  On the other hand, we humans stop only long enough to go through our mental and/or tangible check lists of to do's instead, which in itself usually proves to be time consuming. While crossing things off these lists may give a temporary sense of accomplishment and appear to free up some of our precious time, what usually happens is we think we now have more time to add additional tasks, errands, and the like.  We are never 'done'. We are never 'finished.' We are never 'caught up.'  So what if we're not?  Do we need to go through each day filling up all the moments that are given to us?  Or do we give ourselves a day off, or perhaps a morning and evening off?  Not usually.  As I took this little video I was surrounded by wet, happy, and somewhat mucky dogs.  My only expectation which I decidedly placed upon them was to have fun.  Our driveway is gated and our property enclosed with fencing.  The dogs don't have any desire to fun off though because their deepest desire out side of bird hunting is to be with us. And we do try to combine those two things together as often as possible whether in the field running our dogs and working them on birds, off season at a game preserve, or of course during bird hunting season.  You know most of the time when the decision is reached to run the dogs I have not dressed for the occasion.  It is rare that I will run up into the house to put something more appropriate on because face it, I'm a t-shirt and jeans kind of person most of the time anyway.  The dogs know I'm easily accessible and they do not stop to think about whether their paws are wet and muddy or clean and dry.  But I too have to make a decision to literally 'run with the big dogs'.   They are going to enjoy themselves  whether I venture down to the pond or further outback with them or not.  If I happen to be in the house working on something (that dirty word) they will seek me out and be quite persistent that I need to come and play with them.  If I happen to be the one to let them all out at the same time I know I'm going to be consumed by their affection, love, and appreciation.  There is a different between running dogs in the field, running the dogs, training the dogs, working the dogs and letting the dogs be dogs.  I always have a slip lead and my whistle hanging from a lanyard around my neck when out with them. My pockets are always filled with treats.  Our dogs are happiest when John and I are both together with them all outside. For all of us, a morning like this captured on film is not just about letting them stretch their legs when they go outside to go to the bathroom.  A morning like this is about human and canine enjoying their blended lives here to the fullest.

As for the practical and common sense approach here, we have a  "dogs running - absolutely no admittance" sign at our driveway.  Even our dearest friends, family, and neighbors know not to enter our yard unless we personally let them in - it's just common sense. I think Caesar Milan is probably the person who originally introduced the concept of domestic dog packs or at least has brought it to the surface. Although there is a school of thought today that says we don't need to be concerned with the pack mentality.  I think we do.  I believe there are certain principles to be knowledgeable in regards to managing multiple dogs. Whether at a dog park, doggy day care, field trial, indoor training class - dogs need to be supervised just like kids do.  You should be able to read their body language, recognize when tension may be present, know which dogs are apt to diffuse it, and act quickly when a dog shows any sign of moving out of one particular drive into another. There's no excuse for any dog owner in this day and age to remain ignorant about normal dog communication because there truly is a wealth of information. There are more multiple dog owners now than ever before.  It's worth understanding the language of the dog whether physical or vocal.  They are always communicating something.  And sometimes the things they say and do are absolutely incredible.  That's another good reason for getting outside and enjoying beautiful mornings such as this video depicts. By placing no expectations on the dogs, they were free to simply be themselves and in doing so, provided a perfect opportunity for me to learn more about them.  Something I never tire of doing.

TREASURE 7 week UPDATE

We are at 7 weeks along in her pregnancy counting back to her 1st tie with Bullet.  (Speaking of the handsome dude himself, we've been a little quiet about him. Bullet is being shown and has won Winners Dog again recently, winning more AKCTreasure's abdomen is just as wide at this point in time as it was a little further along when she had 11 pups in 2009. She's quite uncomfortable and now is being fed several small meals throughout the day. Treasure has a wonderful appetite so I have to be sure she does not eat too much because pups are taking up more room. The pups continue to grow and at 7 weeks along are well developed and attaining their size in preparation of their birth.  Anytime from this point on it is possible to see and feel them move within Treasure.  Her nipples have enlarged significantly and the hair around them has started to shed rapidly. Before pups arrive there will be little if any hair on her tummy. She tires easily. At about 6 a.m. this morning she went underneath our bed and began to dig at the carpet furiously. The very beginning of that amazing natural nesting behavior.  A week from today I will begin to take a daily temperature reading to establish her true average temp. This information will prove to be invaluable as her due date approaches at which time I will take her temperature 3 times a day, 8 hours a part. Very soon, Treasure and I will be settling in together in the puppy room.  I'll bring the cot in and actually sleep with her at night. Our vets will all be on call once the temperature drops. For now, Treasure will of course continue to enjoy being a daily part of normal every day life here with a few minor changes.  She will not be sleeping on our bed - I worry too much about excessive jumping at this stage. Soon, I'm going to begin to take her outside on a 30' lead to discourage her from wandering off to make an outdoor nest in the leaves somewhere! And as playful as Treasure is with the rest of the crew, I also don't want to take a chance she gets involved with rough housing. 

Time to get on with this day which by the looks of things - appears to be starting with another beautiful morning!  Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

P.S.   Accepting serious puppy inquiries for hunting families with prior Brittany experience.