ATB: August? Already?

Well, the sabbatical has come to an end. Actually it ended in a wonderful way on Monday with a planned visit among Brittanys and their owners. Translated to mean a special time with ATB friends!  We had company from Rhode Island and Connecticutt for the afternoon and what fun.  Nova the Brittany was reunited with her owners and Wilson (her brother Treasure/Gibson litter, North) was reunited with John and I!  If you get bored and have nothing to do you can look these pups up in the January 2011 "Nova Litter".   Wilson/North's eyes are very unique and breath taking! We also had the pleasure of meeting his Brittany friend, Brandy, a lovely 8 year old liver and white rescue dog.  John tossed a few steaks on the grill and chicken, I made a pasta salad and dessert.  This was paired with jumbo shrimp and lobster from Jim and Lori.  Monica surprised me with an early birthday cake and a really cute gift - plus she brought something for the dogs too!  All the dogs played together with close supervision and I have to say they did really great considering it was the first time for some to be here in our 'pack'. It's not always possible to have multiple dogs run when we have visitors but when we can, it's very special. Everyone took a walk down to the pond so the dogs could swim... everyone that is except for me. My most recent knee injection has yet to show any sign of offering pain relief which is pretty discouraging.  I've been doing well on Weight Watchers and feeling like I want to do more.  Just can't do much when the ol' knee won't cooperate but that's another story unto itself.

We are happy that we are able to add another liver and white Brittany to our breeding program as our daughter's Brittany "Boomer" passed his health clearances.  He is a cousin to our 1st Brittany, Hunter, so we are pleased with the possibility of what the future may bring. Speaking of which, there will soon be an announcement of our plans for 2013 and our waiting list is filling up.

Thistle is here with us this week. What a joy and delight she is.  As her co-owner I'm happy to get to know her better for sure.  She'll be staying here for a little field work soon.  Love this little girl! 

Looking forward with great excitement to some upcoming shows.  Bolt and Wilson from Treasure and Bullet's litter will be shown in AKC's brand new 4-6 month old puppy class!  I'm deciding which shows to enter Hemi, Pippin, True, Treasure in over the next 6 - 9 months along with looking ahead to what Thistle does in the ring.   We're also looking at the hunt test and field trial schedules carefully. They are almost upon us.  The dogs should all do well in the woods this fall, and also the tests and trials we are looking at. 

I do have more to share but I am leaning over and making contact with the keyboard - in other words falling asleep as I type!  There's some pictures I want to share of the other day among other things.

Nice to visit even briefly!!!  Take care and God bless you and yours, John, Ann and ATB