Coming Soon: First Day of the Rest of Their Lives...

Another rainy afternoon.  Although a crazy busy morning, the pups are fed, cleaned, played with and are now all sound asleep in various places throughout the puppy pen.  Some are pig piled together in the crate nestled on two of Aunt Julies hand crocheted puppy blankets.  Two pups are snuggled up in the corner together.  There is one lying on top of the stool.  A couple always manage to tip over the empty puppy saucer and think that's a comfortable place to sleep.  Toys are strewn from one end of the room together.  Happily I notice that the majority of small but multiple puppy poops are within the framed 'toilet' area.   The scent of fresh pine shavings permeates the room, curtains open wide for the light to come in and two of the windows are open slightly. The music from the BACH radio station plays softly in the background.  Treasure lies contently in the large crate with the door that is always open.  Her body has completely and naturally ceased to produce milk for her puppies although they will at times attempt to snack.  She and I are separated from her little family of 11 Brittany pups, now closing in on 8 weeks old. 

Yesterday we transformed the front of this area into a veterinarians exam room.  One of our new puppy owners is a DVM who graciously offered to make a 'house call' for shots, complete physical exam, deworming, and issue 11 Maine State Health Certificates.  John and I helped the doctor and his assistant as needed.  I watched as Winchester, Browning, Grace, Ruger, Henry, Marlin, Patience, Bolt, Colt, Hope, and of course Heart were thoroughly examined.  Ears, bite, structure, breathing, heart, rectum, skin, coat you name it.  I could not help but admire the doctor as his years of dedication, knowledge and understanding about animal medical care was demonstrated right before my eyes.  He shared many valuable tips with us, some of which were new to us even after all this time.  We have known him about as long as we have been married and reminded him of a house call he made to our house almost 40 years ago to help save a young lamb we had raised. Yes, it was a valuable and enjoyable experience to have him examine this particular litter of 11 new Brittany pups, one of which will be going home to him and his family very soon.

Each puppy now looks to me with such a loving and yet at the same time curious look. It reminds me of the song from years ago "Is That All There Is?"   No my precious pups, this is not all there is. For as much as "Poppa John" and "Momma Ann" can do for you and have done for you here there is a wonderful world awaiting each one of you just outside of these doors, just beyond the driveway.  In a few more days the exodus will begin.  It will occur over a two week period as we accommodate schedules for your new families who are anxiously awaiting the day to bring you home, to begin the 1st Day of the Rest of Your Lives.

The puppies try on all kinds of new behavior before me, each one wanting so desperately to be the first one I reach down and pick up.  They will woof, squeal, sit, raise a paw, jump up - anything to stand out to me. If they only knew how each one of them already stands out to me, how much I already love them so deeply. So much that I know what they need more than anything else - is not what I can give for I have given the best of all I could possible have to give to them and it always feel as if I could do so much more.  What they need now more than anything is the love of their new families.  They are ready. And it is not for the lack of desire to care for them that I look forward to them leaving. It is for the joy that lies before them in the homes personally hand picked for them.

I have no qualms with putting down their quilt in the middle of the puppy pen, laying it on top of the shavings that line their playground and sitting down, letting them jump and crawl all over me.  I will do this in the house with them, in the yard with them, and anywhere they so desire to be with me.  Soon the puppy breath, puppy kisses, little puppy mouthing and jumping up will become a very warm memory which will fade into the past. Even so, there is always something so unique and special about each litter of pups to treasure and remember.  Yes, we will miss them. I know Treasure will miss them too. She's a good mother who enjoys her pups right up until the day they do leave.  Just today I enjoyed watching her intervene as one of the pups was being quite bossy with another one.  She sought him out with a toy, bumped him a few times with it and suddenly he rolled over onto his back while she gently dropped the toy to his side and lovingly kissed his belly.  Puppies learn so much from their mothers.

In as much as it takes time away to come and work at the computer, to answer email, update the blog, and post photos etc. on Facebook to do so brings a sense of pride and enjoyment.  I have discovered and continue to understand how many folks really look forward to reading about ATB. Especially when there is so much to share about puppies.  We enjoy sharing all of these things because it's what we are all about.  All for the right reasons.  And always all for the love of the dog, both given and received. 

For some of you reading this now are becoming a part of the extended ATB family.  And it is a most amazing family!   There are those we hear from once in awhile, others who stay in touch regularly, and even those who are a part of our daily lives.  At whatever level a person is comfortable staying in touch with us is fine as long as you stay in touch! I love to receive updates and photos. And even though the pups from our very first litter in 1990 have gone to "the Bridge" we still hear from their families from time to time.  Recently someone getting a pup from this litter asked if it would be okay to stay in touch with the owners of the littermates.  Many of you have said you'd like that so I'll connect you all soon. We use to have an annual Brittany club fun day here at our house and invite everyone to come.  We had some wonderful reunions and I would like to do that again sometime.

In closing, it should go without saying and many of you already know the reality that want to be available to you, throughout the life of your Brittany, for help and advice, encouragement and friendship.  We're not perfect people and we make mistakes.  Sometimes you may not agree with what we have to say or the things we do but overall, you can trust that at the heart of the matter will always be the little Brittany that we once held in the palm of our hand at birth.  Just like these 11 pups anxiously awaiting a new horizon that lies just beyond today. The First Day of the Rest of Their Lives.... Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and ATB