ATB: Mega Litter Turns 1/ MAGNUM ACCIDENT

Happy 1st Birthday to Molly & Scooby's beautiful puppies!

April 23, 2011 was Easter Sunday.  It was also the day that Molly & Scooby's puppies breathed their first breath and life began for 'The Mega Litter"!  Their owners have been faithful to stay in touch with us over the year and as a result several new friendships have been formed and continue to grow.  Brandi, Natalie, Maggie, Ruby, Lucy, and last but not least Benny are all doing well! There are those we hear about more often than others however we have heard from everyone at one time or another.  We're thrilled to hear all of the updates and get photographs.  It is Benny (in NH) and Ruby (MA)  who John and I have he opportunity to see the most.  Maggie is in Ohio and doing very well in her agility training as is Ruby. Benny is getting ready for his first hunt test. Brandy (ME) showed up at a Brittany club training event (as did Ruby and Benny).  I do know that Lucy is enjoying her life in rural Vermont keeping her family happy.  And as for Natalie (ME) I sure miss hearing about her lately.  It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed.  Scooby and Molly are of course doing well here. Molly's surgery did take a lot out of her in that she has turned nearly all white in her face but it didn't effect her crazy puppy like behavior! Moll is so funny.  Scooby continues to do real well in the field.  A very stylish pointing dog who is still my marshmallow boy. I am thankful for the families God does bring into our lives through our Brittany dogs and this special litter is evidence of the ongoing reality of that - just like the development of new friendships beginning right now with the Triple J&A litter. 

We did have real good news that 3 of the J&A's Superior Brittanys (named after their owners company but I kind of like that adjective!) have done exceptionally well at hunt tests this weekend. With overall average scores of 10 and 9.5 Jersie, Brandy and Nova have earned qualifying scores for their AKC Junior Hunter title.  Brandy is half way there, and both Jersie and Nova earned their first ribbon today. Thank  you to Jim and Lori for giving them an opportunity to shine in the field!

Not to take away from the joy of celebration but I cannot rightly share the birthday greetings for the Mega litter without letting 'you' know that 11 month old Magnum (Pippin/Chevy) was tragically run over by an automobile this morning. It was a terrible accident leaving Magnum in the animal hospital with a broke pelvis and his family devastated. We are all praying to see what tomorrow will bring and I am hoping for a true miracle here.  My heart is hurting but nothing compared to what his family is going through.  Some of you may remember that I had a hard time deciding between Magnum and Hemi as they are brothers/littermates. The memories I have of him here are bright and vivid and give me comfort.

Treasure and Bullet's pups continue to grow and mature nicely.  I was looking at our records and the earliest walkers we ever did see that is written down was at the age of 13 days.  At the age of 10 days we had our first two walking puppies. Not to say that they are steady on their legs - not by a long shot. When first learning to walk hey all look like they were nursing on Baileys Irish Creme instead of their mother's milk. Eyes are still trying to open and there is no indication quite yet of the hearing ability. Birth weight has doubled for each pup - that's something important to me to see. We had an informal visit from a vet friend today who briefly checked Treasure and the pups out. He was very pleased with Treasure's milk production and how healthy the pups were. He asked me what we were feeding her and that whatever it was - it was doing the job!  Treasure has started to put more weight back on which is good. Our other vet said that she looked a little depleted when he saw her. No wonder though with 11 pups!  All is well.

I shall go to bed tonight with little Magnum on my mind.  Miracles happen and so many of you have said you're praying - thank you.  Take care and God bless, John, Ann, and ATB