Merry Christmas

We would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas !

 

ATB: Not A Creature Was Stirring

Not a Creature Was Stirring, Not Even.... Hemi or John !!!

 

 

ATB: Merry Christmas Greeting from Maggie Rose!

Look what we received from Maggie Rose!!! Isn't she beautiful? Maggie is daughter of Scooby and Molly, and is 19 months old. Lives in Ohio with her wonderful family. She wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!!!

Free greeting made with Smilebox

ATB Puppies: Things Hoped For, Things Not Seen

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

I'm hoping very much for something that I do not see.  Something I do not see, YET.

We take a few steps forward in this new journey of awaiting our next litter of Brittany puppies.  As many times as this journey is taken, it is always fresh and new. Always exciting and full of hopes and dreams, not only for John and I, but for those who are waiting with us. 

Even as we approach the actual day of Christmas and look forward to everything that means to us, our family and our friends, there is still a glimmering spark on the new horizon of 2013.  And we know there are those of you reading this who are looking in the same direction as John and I.

We're getting "All Things Brittany" ready and preparing for what we hope will actually happen in January, and then again in February.  Plans that were made well over a year ago were put into place in the not so distant past.  Simply said - we hope to soon confirm that which we cannot currently see!

This blog will be where the journey is shared in as much as I may freely take the time to do so.  As in the past, I will share from my heart those things which a dog breeder experiences. From the mundane to that which is exciting and full of joy, I will bring our readers and especially our new puppy families, through these next months. 

For those of you waiting for a puppy, now is the time to have the book "Art of Raising A Puppy" by Monks of New Skete. This seriously is required reading but it's also fun to follow along in the first chapters of development of a neo-natal puppy.  You will have a better understanding of what (we hope and anticipate) will be going on here. We recently sent out our first breeding update out to those on our waiting list and I'm really very appreciative of the follow ups which came as a result.

The average gestation period for a dog is 63 days.  The first sign that we look for here that a planned breeding may have resulted in the desired pregnancy is when the mother to be experiences "morning sickness".  Although like in humans it can occur at any time of day. Typically, she vomits out of the clear blue sky without any warning at all.  It's easy to miss, because it doesn't usually last or repeats itself. You simply discover that she has vomited. 

Pippin vomited exactly 3 weeks to the day since she was bred to Chevy. She seems to spend more time sleeping than usual. Pip is always a very affectionate girl and cuddly. It seems lately she has been more so. Pippin has a very well sprung rib cage. This past week she has appeared to look a little wider and thicker than usual. 

I always hesitate to confirm a pregnancy, and prefer really to wait and see.  I do know how to palpitate (feel for pups) and know the best dates to do it. But once again, I prefer to let nature take it's course.   There's also two separate points where x-rays and/or ultra sound can detect and confirm the presence of pups, or lack of them.  We may do that on rare occasions or in the case of emergency.

As an anticipated pregnancy advances, we begin to feed food especially formulated for puppies. This is to meet increased energy needs for the eventual milk production, growth of puppies.  Their calorie needs are greater, and more protein is needed for the development of puppies. Some girls will go off their food for awhile while others are chow hounds. When Pippin was pregnant before, she was a chow hound!

Speaking of her previous pregnancy. We are closely following our whelping records of Pippin's litter born in May 2011. I am also writing down these significant notations above on the current pages. It is no surprise that it is nearly word for word. 

**************************************************************************

In a few more weeks I will also begin to make note here about Piper and True.  We're very excited about this pairing. We have brought Jacks daughter together with Treasure's son for very specific reasons, reasons similar to our prior breeding of Treasure to Bullet (Jacks son).  The line we have been re-establishing for the past 10 years now has proven to be all we had set out for it to be, and more. So now as breeders we continue to be in that place of breeding back into what is the best of our best. Confident of what's there without any surprises. Realizing that successive breeding is necessary. We have improved upon our own line, which was part of the early goal.  And now we have reached a consistency in what we are striving to bring forth with our beautiful Brittany bird dogs. Suffice to say - we have a high degree of anticipation for what True and Piper bring forth together too.  Above all, we're certain in both of these litters to see sound temperament, sweet disposition, correct conformation, and well preserved natural abilities and instincts in regards to hunting.  And quite honestly, next to the temperament - the hunting part of it is what J&A's Brittanys is all about!

Look at that time... I'm doing it again. Staying up late, and blogging into the morning hours. But that's okay. "HE" is the morning person, and I am the night owl.  And it works. Most of the time.  I will end now for I will be in danger of falling asleep on the keyboard, which I've done before.  I just wanted to get started talking about puppies. Because after Christmas, the season of puppies is the very best of all!  These pups will have the spring and the summer to get ready for a fun fall in the field.  Let's think puppies - and hope for that which is not yet seen.

Christmas is coming.....!!!!!!!!   Take care and God bless - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

Christmas Video / Christmas Prayer



 

 

Once again we would like to wish all of our friends and family a very joyous and happy Christmas.  It is hard to believe yet another year has come and gone so quickly.  My heart cannot feel heavy because of the recent murders of the very young children and teachers in Connecticutt.  There is no explanation for what happened other than there is evil in the world and that satan is on a rampage. We need to pray for the families and especially for those young children who lived through this hell. On Friday night, after the shootings all I could think of were those parents who knew that their child not coming home, meant that he or she had been a victim. And they also knew their precious little body was still locked up in the school. I think that's what just wrenched my heart the most. I do lift my eyes to the Lord, and cry out to Him.  I believe that many of those parents are doing the same thing. For there alone is where the healing is, where the comfort is, where faith and prayer are real. 

 

These are very dark times for all of us... but when we know in WHOM we believe, trust Him, despite the fact we can't see His hand in any of this... strength will come to us, in small ways. As Christians, we truly know that certain things are going to come to pass... and we can all be faithful to share Jesus with the world, shine for Him, pray for others, love when we don't feel like it. The faith of so many is being shaken, tested, and tried in these days. We can do nothing n our own strength but it is through our weakness that God's strength is perfected. Our hearts may ache collectively as a nation, but heart of our Father, God - is breaking for all of mankind.

 

Perhaps this Christmas prayer expressed by Max Lucado on his blog following the shootings will touch your heart as it has mine:

 

"Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
 
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children"

12 Dogs of Christmas

 

Just for fun thought I'd share this snipped from the finale of 12 Dogs of Christmas!  If you look closely, you will see a very cute little Brittany puppy in this scene. He is actually one of the featured dogs in this movie which was filmed entirely in Maine.  Since True and Piper are included in our 2013 breeding program I thought it might be fun to 'show off' True's father "Gibson" who is the Brittany puppy featured above!  There is one slight problem with this song, that is they fail to identify Gibson as a Brittany but it's an oversight we can forgive because he is seen frequently throughout the movie. You hear me talk a lot about my friend Pam, well she and her husband Sam own Gibson who was born in December 2003 and featured in the movie which was filmed in the Sunday River area of Maine, spring of 2004. Enjoy!

ATB: Dog Breeders Ringside Reflections

Thistle, brother Hemi, mom Pippin chillaxin' at a recent dog show. Note the identical peeved expressions
 on the girls, and then Hemi's attempt at re-arranging his crate.

NOTE: I decided to further elaborate on a topic which originally appeared in part under Hemis' major show win photo.  I felt the rambling topic below, which is of a more personal nature, is worthy of it's own blog post. Some of the terms used in regards to showing is like a foreign language. AKC's Introduction to Dog Shows would be helpful if it's too confusing!

RETROSPECT
In November 2011 I became extremely discouraged and was turned off about the whole showing thing. Many factors came into play. Not only was my knee working against me, but so was my weight. To move a dog nicely in the ring as well as to present the dog well is easily hindered by a handler that is physically limited to how well they themselves can move. It may look easy to the casual observer watching a dog show but there are very precise and focused movements taking place while in the ring. It takes an understanding at which speed a handler must move/run, to support the best gaiting pattern of the dog at the end of the lead. It takes a bit of grace too I should add! The handler is supposed to become as if invisible to the judge, so that the focus does remain on the dog. Anyway last fall was a turning point.

When I first started to show in 2007 I would laugh at myself, and refer to my attempts to show as being the court jester! Not so much has changed because when I get in the ring it's as if I never knew anything about showing a dog. Brain cramp city or senior moments are the norm. When the judge recently selected Hemi as Best of Winners to win his 3 point major she had to point to me twice before I realized what was going on!

CROSS OVER POINTS FOR HEMI!
Incidentally, Hemi won this major by 'crossing over'. There were not enough entries in the classes for dogs to result in a major win.  But there were enough entries in bitches for a 3 point major. Hemi first one the Open Dogs class. Then he went on to win Winners Dog.  Finally he entered the 'breed ring' to compete for Best of Breed, Best of Winners, Best Opposite Sex, etc.  Because he defeated the Winners' Bitch (who had won a major) by winning Best of Winners, Hemi also earned all of her points, to cross over and make it a major win for him as well. See AKC How to Count Points at a Dog Show.

While standing ringside, waiting for your class to be called, it is often challenging to grab hold of a moment in time that holds any resemblance to sanity. It is a very busy place. Several of us have found that by taking time to briefly pray together before heading to the ring will usher in a sense of peace. Some exhibitors want to carry on conversations while others wish to remain solely focused on their dog.

As important as it is to give undivided attention to Hemi (or whatever dog is at the end of the lead) I feel it's equally important to be aware of good sportsmanship on my part. Especially after the placements and ribbons have been given.  We all know it's not always easy to graciously accept that your dog has lost on any given day. For this reason I appreciate the subtle and gentle "handling" by my friends who know me best and can tell when I am about to say or do something I will regret later. That's what friends are for.

I really try not to publically demonstrate sour grapes. It's important to me to keep a level head about regarding a placement or lack of one. Poor sportsmanship at ringside has a tendency to quickly manifests itself in a variety of ways. Some of it is downright ugly.  Sometimes exhibitors get so uptight, anxious, and even downright mean spirited when they are showing a dog. Sometimes reactions in other people are downright scary.  It's easy to forget just how quickly careless words spoken with a loose tongue ringside can injure a relationship.

Angry words spoken ringside very often are accompanied by swearing. What about that young child standing within earshot? What of those new to the sport of showing purebred dogs who are enjoying their first attempts at showing their dog?  It should not be too difficult to remember that a more encouraging, less spirited, gentler language  has a long lasting effect, and a much more positive one.

We all need people in our life to encourage us. I'm blessed to have been persuaded to continue to keep trying to show to the best of my ability. I really appreciated this persuasion more than they could know. The more obvious my physical limitations became, the harder it was to even want to try. But I really desire to finish Hemi's show championship myself, to show him to his next major win, and to the remaining points needed.  I successfully finished his AKC Junior Hunter title this fall!   Can I do it? Yes. I can.  

About 5 years ago Julie, Pam, and I were showing dogs in direct competition to each other. When we came out of the ring, we linked our arms together saying "we go into the ring as friends, show our dogs as competitors, and are still friends when we come out of the ring. No matter what." That is our covenant to each other!

Whenever possible, they stand ringside watching and observing me while showing. The know what kind of feedback is most helpful for me. I do the same for them, and especially enjoy taking pictures or video of them in the ring to critique and evaluate together later. But woe to others who offer unsolicited advice and opinions!

I'm in another window of time where my Synvisc-One injection into my knee is having the most effectiveness. I have taken off nearly 20 lbs since May with Weight Watchers. Now, it is so much easier to move out with Hemi in the ring and I don't get out of breath like I use to with the weight loss. Good health is my motivation. My doctor told me that for every pound of body weight lost, it was like taking 5 pounds of pressure off of my joints. I have discovered by staying as physically active as possible, my confidence increases too.  I have no idea how long this injection will be effective, but I will take advantage of the relief afforded to me from severe Osteo Arthritis.

Literally and personally, this is a different walk for me. I can glean from the years of experience in my adult years with the Brittany in the area of breeding, whelping, raising pups, socializing, evaluating, training, and so on and so forth.  I can also reflect further upon my childhood years as the daughter of parents who bred Boston Terriers.  Showing dogs was never a motivation to me and it will never be our primary purpose for breeding.  We'll continue to show but our Brittanys will always be bird dogs that love the hunt and the people they share their lives with. Our breeding goals will forever remain to provide outstanding bird dogs for active hunting families.

I do understand the importance of proving not only hunting ability, good health, and temperament but also the outstanding conformation supporting the correct structure, type, and function. We're doing both at this point in time without sacrificing one over the other. I remain grateful for the ongoing mentor ship of well seasoned breeders in their 70's, 80's, and 90's as well as lessons gleaned from them through past conversations over the years.  These seniors pose very pointed questions to us from time to time including how they want us to be sure to:

1. Know what we want in a Brittany.
2 .Acknowledge we are not breeding Brittanys for field trials.
3. Continue to breed Brittanys that will hunt, point, and retrieve grouse, woodcock, pheasant.
4. Be certain of who we are breeding Brittanys for

We're good!

Thanks for your interest in All Things Brittanys. It's always nice to spend a few minutes with our readers! In the near future my posts will hopefully begin to take on a new focus.  We are looking forward to sharing a brand new journey with you as we anticipate our next litter of puppies.

Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

ATB: Hemi's Show Photo 3 Pt Major

 

J & A's Magnificent Obsession of Acton JH ~  "HEMI"

Sire: GCH CH Tonan-Hopes R U Kiddin Me ~  'CHEVY"

Dam: CH J & A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton  ~ "PIPPIN"

Breeders/Owners/Handlers: John & Ann Short

Isn't Hemi just gorgeous, cute, and beautiful!!! Congratulations little britches, it was a fun ride around the ring with you when you won your 1st major! We're getting there hemikins!!! 

I'm so proud of this puppy for so many reasons. And this was a very special moment in time for me. I have never put a major on any of our dogs before, personally.  Truthfully, I just never thought I could do it myself.  I have limited mobility due to the OA in my left knee, and also due to effects of Lyme Disease which rears their ugly head from time to time. But I keep on trying, I keep on going. I'd like to say this very important win was not all about me.  Yet it was.  It was about pushing through the pain, not giving up, and believing not only in my dog, but believing in my God!

It is awesome to think we now have 3 champions from our line of Brittany bird dogs, finishing within months of each other.  Julie exclusively handled Thistle to her recent championship. I really desire to handle Hemi to his and it is within reach.  We're so glad we  have found a wonderful professional handler in Joyce C. who has done such a nice job of finishing Pippin and Bullet.  While I did put single or double show points in the past on Treasure, True, Pippin, and of course Hemi (all dogs which we personally bred) the majors have always remained elusive to me, until now! (All of Treasure's minor points have been won in Bred By Exhibitor.)

 

 Anyway, I'm kind of rambling but that's okay. I was so excited to get this show photo in the mail today and share it here, there and everywhere! Hemi is so much fun. He always has been cute. Now he's maturing and looking very very good. Hemi is a joy to show. He knows what is expected of him, and he'll do it all because he knows it makes me happy. Plus we have so much fun in the ring together. He has to catch up to his sister Thistle now - who Julie finished just a few weeks ago!

Take care and God bless you as always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

J & A's Brittanys Winter Puppies

DOG VOMIT:  If you know me, you understand the importance of  dog vomit to me.  Yes, even with Christmas being just 16 days away, I will be focusing on dog vomit.  I'm not trying to gross anyone out here but within the next 16 days, I'll be hoping that Miss Pippin throws up a yellow, frothy bile. That's all I am going to say about that for the time being.

TIME FOR PUPPIES? I also want to add that I feel January AND February are lovely times for puppies to be born. One thing I have come to really enjoy is the opportunity to hunker down during a blizzard, in the "Puppy Cave".  Currently, the puppy cave is our grooming area but our expectations are to, once again, transform this area.

CHECKING OUR LIST: While Santa lists are being made and checked twice, I am in the middle of updating our J&A's Brittanys puppy waiting list.  I have been following up on several serious inquiries who have been waiting for awhile as well as reaching out to those who may have recently contacted us.

CONFIRMATION NEEDED: If you've not yet heard from me in a personal way (telephone, email, FB message etc.) please be sure to reconfirm your level of interest for a future Brittany puppy from us using our contact form on the Maine Brittany website, the Internet 'home' of J&A's Brittanys. This will also once again help me to be certain I have your email address for our group mailing regarding puppy updates which is much more personal and detailed than the blog posts here.

QUESTIONAIRES: All serious inquiries should have already sent us your completed questionairre for our files.  You should also have a copy of our purchase agreement, and our puppy reservation policies.  Per our agreement, a deposit needs to be submitted at the time an actual breeding occurs. You probably already know that in most instances that deposit is refundable. 

I enjoy sharing the journey of a well planned and highly anticipated litter of J & A's Brittanys pups with all of  'you'.  And in the weeks ahead, I sure hope that there will be much to write about.  But for now, we are in the waiting mode.  We know that anything can happen and that nothing is certain.  Timing comes into play.  I'm not superstitious and won't say we're crossing our fingers.  I also know that luck has very little to do with it.  If something is meant to be, then it is meant to be.  I do hope that a healthy and beautiful litter of puppies will result through a recent repeat breeding with Pippin and Chevy.  I'll take it one step further and say I hope for the same result by bringing True and Piper together.  Yes, it is going to be a winter with plenty to look forward to.  God willing.

Take care and God bless you and yours always.  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

PS If you'd like to hibernate for just a few minutes with a new litter of puppies, you can retreat to Hibernating With Brittany Puppies, during winter of 2010/2011 !

ATB: Thistle's Championship Photo

At the age of 18 months, Thistle the Pistol finished her AKC championship title in style with her co-owner (and our dear friend) Julie Harris handling her under Judge Houston Clark on Sunday, November 24, 2012 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  As breeders (and a co-owner) we are over the top with joy and pride and extremely appreciative to Julie for giving her every opportunity to shine!

 

 

CH J&A's Sisters of the Heart "Thistle"

Sire: GCH CH Tonan-Hopes RU Kiddin' Me "Chevy"

Dam: CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton "Pippin"

Breeders: John & Ann Short

Owners: Julie Harris & Ann Short

Handler: Julie Harris

 

Shown selectively, the following is a list of Thistle's accomplishments:

 

@4 months Date: September 2011 Best Opposite Sex, Penobscott Valley Kennel Club B-OB Match, Julie handling
@ 5 months Date: October 2011 Best of Breed, Puppy Group 1, Adult Group 4, York County Kennel Club B-OB Match, Julie handling
@ 6 months Date: December 3, 2011 6-9 months, 2 POINTs, Best of Winners Worcester Kennel Club, Julie handling
@ 6 months Date: December 4, 2011 6-9 months, 1 POINT, Best Opposite Sex Worcester Kennel Club, Julie handling
@ 7 months Date: January 13, 2012 6-9 months, 2 POINTS, Best Opposite Sex, Greater Lowell Kennel Club, Julie handling
@ 7 months Date: January 16, 2012 6-9 months, 1 POINTS, Best Opposite Sex, Merrimack Valley Kennel Club, Julie handling
@ 11 months Date: April 2012, 2 of 4 Junior Hunter Qualifying Scores, Central Maine Brittany Club Hunt Test, Julie handling
@ 1 year Date: May 2012, 4^th Place Open Derby, Central Maine Brittany Club Field Trial, Julie handling
@ 13 months Date: June 24, 2012 12-18 months, 4 POINT MAJOR, Best of Winners, Penobscot Valley Kennel Club, Julie handling

@15 months Date: September 8, 2012 12-18 months, 2 POINTS, Winners Bitch, Carroll County Kennel Club, Julie handling 
@18 months Date: November 24, 2012 Open Bitch, 3 POINT MAJOR, , Best of Winners, New Champion, South Windsor Kennel Club , Julie handling

 Click here to visit Thistles page at the Maine Brittany Site for her bio and pedigree.