ATB: Puppies Cometh!

J&A's High Flyin' Girl of Acton "Piper" - Week 6

 

 

For those of you who have been actively waiting with us these past few months it's been quite a roller coaster, hasn't it.  I had so hoped to confirm Pippin's pregnancy but alas, it is not meant to be at this time.  This is one of the things that happens from time to time for all breeders and it is always a disappointment.  Even with so many methods available today to determine the best time for breeding and despite the accumulated years of experience breeders working together may have, 'missing it' is something that simply happens. Even with animals in perfect health who have already proven their ability to pass on the most exemplary genes; whether a first time breeding or a repeated breeding, it simply happens.  But this story will be continued in the future at another time.

 

For now, another story is unfolding, developing right before my eyes. Now that I have DARED to confirm it, DARED to share it in an email with those on our mailing list, I will DARE to share it publicly for the first time here in this post with our ATB blog 'family'.  Yes... Piper is pregnant with True's puppies and I could not be happier. (As for the similarity with Pippin and Piper's names, that misnomer can be attributed to the "J" of the J&A's Brittanys!) 

 

I have been watching Piper closely of course these past few weeks. The first time I suspected we had a viable pregnancy was the week she turned from Miss Chow Hound to Miss Persnickety Eater.  She is required to sit and wait while her food is put into her dish.  Then she is told it's okay to go eat it.  Usually she just about inhales her food, that is just the way she is.  A couple of weeks ago, that changed significantly. It was not that Piper completely lost her appetite, but her meals were very long and drawn out. 

 

Following a snowfall which resulted in about a foot of the white stuff I was outdoors with the crew who were all playing, running, and exercising. Piper is always listening to the beat of a different drummer when she is outside. Very in tune with all of nature and her surroundings, it is as if she tries to assimilate every single piece of 'information' of life around her as she stands poised on the brink of a brilliant discovery, known only to her!  Piper is really quite intriguing to observe. Sometimes, after standing there in her own realm of instinctive reaction she will suddenly bolt away, rapidly running off to a destination known only to her.  She runs with so much grace and power, she is absolutely beautiful to observe.  What I noticed recently though, was the manner in which Piper was literally thrusting herself through the snow.  There was a sense of imbalance and awkwardness. Although you could see she was trying to correct this, she just couldn't.  And so, as the days have passed Piper has literally resigned herself to the fact that her body is changing and that change is effecting her movement.

 

Piper and True's pups are going to be beautiful. They will be white and orange, or orange and white.  (Speaking of colors, we do have a liver and white to orange and white litter planned for later in the year, using a beautiful Brittany which we bred that is owned by another family. She will come here to have her pups and we are very excited about this venture as some of you already know.)

 

The puppies from Piper and True's upcoming litter will carry on the amazing bird hunting legacy which we have worked so very hard to establish and to prove in our  line of close working gun dogs for hunting families.  There will be competitive pups in this litter who will do well in the field and in the ring but truly, that is not our main objective anymore that it is the objective of those who are waiting for their arrival. We are happy however that at least one of these pups will be in a home where there is an interest in showing. But time will tell. Those are not expectations which we typically place on anyone unless it is something they sincerely desire to try. In the meantime, Piper becomes the number 1 'Lady in Waiting' at ATB.  And a beautiful lady she is, this sweet 3 year old girl.

 

All pups from Piper and True's litter are spoken for.  We have started to accept serious inquires for the above mentioned breeding though.  As always we are very humbled at the level of interest in our Brittanys.  I enjoy responding to those who contact us, reading through each questionnaire, and getting to know people who love the breed as we do. For those who have been waiting with us for this particular journey, just let me say I've appreciated your patience and your commitment.  John and I can tell you with complete assurance, it will be worth it! 

 

As for the beautiful Miss Pippin, she's so happy to be home and glad that her showing is for the time being a thing of the past.  She was away from us for several months with our handler, who finished her AKC bench championship.  Then she was away for several weeks being 'courted.'  It's possible I'll play in the ring with her a little bit this year. But for right now, I am in a puppy state of mind which is a very nice place to be especially in the middle of the winter.  I am so happy to finally FINALLY say to you once again: "PUPPIES COMETH!"  Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany