Happy 7th Birthday Jack Dog



He knew he was the one he wanted.  John had watched our third litter of beautiful Brittany pups in over 13 years closely.  There was this one sweet little male, a sturdy looking boy who was primarily white.  The ones with the most white and the least color have always appealed the most to John. and he was confident about his pick of the litter born on June 13, 2005.

Each time visitors came to see our new pups they would run and greet people, woofing with glee, jumping and dancing to gain the attention of those around them. That is, all except Jack.  He would sit calmly nearby, wagging his tail simply watching all the fanfare.  He waited patiently and when his litter mates were finished with their greetings well Jack just confidently walked over to visit and stole the show for himself. It worked every time. John liked that in Jack.  And Jack knew it.

Our Brittany family had already started to grow by the time Jack was born here. Our move from the southern part of the state resulted in much more land in a very rural area and we began to re-establish a breeding program first started in the late 80's.  A program that was put on hold because a wonderful "life happened".  I often reflect and say that the beginning of ATB was the answer to empty nest syndrome. 

The summer of 2005 was a lot of fun for us and for our developing canine crew.  I clearly remember the way Jack would easily entertain himself while I was busy outdoors hanging laundry on the clothes line.  He would pick up a toy, a shoe, anything he could find really and do what I call a 'drive by'.  He'd toss it around to be sure I noticed and then run from the far side of the yard past where I was hanging clothes, to the far side of the patio.  And he's just look at me.  A few minutes later, Jack would go through this all over again, making sure to fully turn his head and make eye contact with me when he passed by.  I am laughing out loud just thinking about this now because not only does he still do it - but so does his son Bullet!

I should also mention that during this time period I was doing most of the training, field work, etc.  John was away from home at least 60 hours a week. Using the same orchards we train in today, I would take a trek down in the morning with Timber, Rose, and Jack and run them. That summer is when I named them "Fields of Gold."  I enjoyed that time immensely. I really was not quite sure  that I was doing things properly but it was fun.  Jack's first field trial was that fall.  He was a 12 week old puppy who slept on his dog bed next to where his mother was staked out.  I did run Timber that fall and his 4th place amateur puppy felt like gold.

Jack turned one on June 13th, 2006 and shortly thereafter was sent to Bob Paucek to be a part of the summer training program at Paucek Kennels in Buxton, Maine. This was good for Jack but hard on this heart.  We had puppies in Jacks absence which definitely kept life very busy.  We went to visit Jack when Bob said it was all right to do so.  It's important when training a dog to develop a strong bond of leadership and respect. For us to visit Jack before Bob was ready would have set Jacks training way back.  I couldn't wait to see him!  It was as if he was so proud to show off his skills, we knew he was happy and well cared for.  We left without him though.  A couple of months later it was time for Bob to take his string of dogs south for the winter and we were not going to send Jack.  One fall morning I drove over to pick him up.  I was told to go to the kennel and let him out and when I did there was a gorgeous happy grown up Jack dog who clearly was glad to see me.  He sat in the front seat on the way home and my eyes were filled with tears the entire time.

Maine's bird hunting season opened and we were so anxious to get out into the woods with Jack. I will forever treasure the memory of that first day out with him for many, many reasons.  It was one of those autumn days where the air is full of the scent of falling leaves that make a crinkly sound with each footstep.  The warmth of the sun was amazing.  The colors of the season vibrant. It was also my first real bird hunting season and I was looking forward to the experience with John.

John's first dog was named Jack.  Jack was John's childhood pet, a well loved border collie.  John shared a lot of stories with me through the years about Jack and I was not surprised when he named "our Jack" - Jack.  The one thing that still to this day touches my heart deeply is when I recall the simple expression from John as the three of us (John, Jack and I) headed into the cornfield along York River.  In a very quiet tone of voice, he simply said "I have always wanted to have a dog just like this, that I could enjoy bird hunting with.  He is everything I ever hoped for and more."  That is true now more than ever although John thinks quite highly of several of his other boys too who are pretty darn special in their own right.  He thinks a lot of his girls too in all fairness.  ('Guess I'm like the parent or gramie who always wants to give equal praise and encouragement - but this IS Jacks birthday!)

Jack has sired numerous of litters of close working gun dogs that have proven themselves to be all that their owners ever hoped for too. In reality, Jack and his progeny and grand progeny are first and foremost well loved family pets who live in the house with their family, Brittanys who love people, are social and beautiful and put smiles on the faces of those they share their life with each and every day. Each and every one of them is a true champion in the heart of those they share their life with.

Out of his many litters Jack has sired there exist several titled Junior Hunters and those working on a Senior Hunter title.  There have been many significant field trial placements. There have been show placements as well.  Although it is true we simply are not all about competition we sure are proud of their accomplishments as they continue to be seen more and more in his kids and grand kids. Jack has an easy way about him and so do most of his kids and grand kids.  When it comes to hunting style our Jack dog epitomizes the reality of a close working gun dog as we define one.  When it comes to temperament our Jack dog epitomizes the reality of a sweet, loving, gentle, intelligent and fun loving friend. 

To see John and Jack together is to see a team, to see a relationship which defies a satisfactory explanation.  It is the story of a boy and his dog. A love story if you will.  Jack has the kindest most expressive eyes.  He asks little of us other than to be loved and to have a chance to shine in the field or in the woods. When people come here to visit as they often do, Jack captures the attention of many and is not easily forgotten.  Rarely are the times when you will see John out and about in the truck without Jack (and as of late Hemi too) riding shotgun. When we can't find Jack outdoors we only have to walk over to the open door of the horse trailer. There he is found curled up in HIS dog box.  As a side note - our trailer came from Bob Paucek and is the same one that trucked Jack that summer of 2006 each morning to the bird field and back.  The space Jack claims as his own today is the same one he 'kenneled up' in 6 years ago. 

In dog years as I understand them Jack's age is the equivalent of 49 human years. A lot of white hair is coming in around his muzzle.  He's so funny and cute in all that he does. He may be the 'manly man, the stud dog extraordinaire, sire of the handsome dude' but Jack is truly a puppy at heart.  It shows in the way he approaches life.  He is one happy dog.  Happy Jack is a fitting way to describe him.  But John says it best when he affectionately refers to him with love reflected in the tone of his voice as "That's my boy! That's my bird dog!"  Indeed, a boy and his dog.

Happy 7th birthday JackDog - we love you more than you will ever know!  Happy birthday to all of your very special litter mates as well (and to your half siblings who were born on this day, 3 years later.)  xoxoxoxox