ATB: Puppies and Bragging Rights

Happy 1st Week Birthday Puppies!

 



The "Superior Litter" (named after Nova's owners company) is doing wonderfully at 1 week old. I must apologize for the minimal posting and emailing. We are having technical difficulties with our computer, server, and hosts. It's effecting email, uploading photos, and my ability to update the blog. Ironically, Facebook is the one consistent at this point in time regarding updates and available photos. You can find us at "All Things Brittany" on FB. 

In the meantime:  The 6 puppies are thriving and growing. There are 4 white and orange girls, 1 liver and white boy, 1 white and orange male.  Nova mom is doing so well for the first time but I really did not expect anything less from a granddaughter of Wish, and from Treasures daughter. It's been fun to video call with Nova's owners who can tune in at any time of day or night to check on their girl and her puppies. They also have given the puppies their litter nicknames which are: the boys Thunder (W/O), Drizzle (L/W), and the girls (all W/O) - Cloudy, Raindrop, Puddles, and Rainy. We put new flooring down in the whelping area, a very nice and light textured vinyl. It's clean and cool for Nova to stretch out upon. The outdoor temperatures have been climbing so there's no need to keep the furnace on or deal with the wood stove (finally!!). The heat lamp keeps the pups consistently warm. What a nice litter of pups.

Sometimes Sad Things Happen: Although originally 7 pups were born we are sad to say that little Lightening passed away held close in my arms just a little over 24 hours old. He was just a little over 5 oz when born and it was clear to see he was physiologically immature. Although he lived his life with gusto and zest for the brief time he was here, he gradually began to fade. First it became difficult for him to nurse and we assisted him. We have an incubator here which we placed him in to be sure he did not become chilled.  We also attempted to hand feed him using a stomach tube because he was too weak to try to feed with a small animal bottle. This is only the third time we have ever lost a neonatal pup since our first litter of Brittany puppies in 1990 but that does not make it easier. Lightening was a beautifully marked liver and white male who looked very much like his beautiful grandmother Treasure. I deeply love and value each little creature that we are responsible to bring into the world regardless of what happens. I believe he did not receive adequate nutrition during gestation, perhaps caused by positioning of another puppy that was much larger when born simultaneously with Lightening. But I have taken my cue from Nova who had her time with him, seeming to understand what was going on. She did not reject him but accepted our attempts to keep him comfortable. Then she returned and gave 100% devotion and attention to her 6 other pups.

Visits, Selections & Homecoming:  From time to time we impose upon ourselves an informal 'quarantine' (no visitors if there is a girls in heat, possibly pregnant, or with nursing pups). Their well being is always of the utmost importance and we do this to avoid any unnecessary stress. Although all of the crew loves company, it's just not fair to create a heightened sense of excitement for 'mom' during those periods of time.   We will schedule visits from those who will be getting a puppy to meet the entire litter of pups sometime between 5 and 7 weeks of age. It's a special visit to come and spend about a half hour interacting with mom and pups and to fall in love with each puppy.  When the pups are about 7 weeks old they are formally evaluated and tested using the Volhardts P.A.T. methods although improvised a little bit to accommodate our desire to observe their natural hunting and retrieving instincts. We take pride in making sure that each family that is waiting and each puppy are a good fit. (Of course all the pups are going to meet everyone's expectations and you could basically walk in blindfolded and go home with an awesome puppy!) We so enjoy working with our prospective families over a period of time. We know they are well prepared to bring their new puppy home and that their decision was not spontaneous or spur of the moment. By the time the evaluations are over we are confident that our suggestions will compliment the desires and expectations of those who have been waiting.

Puppy Availability: This entire litter has been spoken for yet we have not yet confirmed specific availability regarding males and females. Nova's owners will be watching the pups closely before making their anticipated selection of the pick puppy from the litter of either gender. They have some experience in this area and will take as much time as we will in evaluating. So 7 weeks is the magic number for puppy selection. We always say to fall in love with them all and make room in your heart and home for that one very special pup. There will always be certain pups in a litter that stand out among the others for one reason or another. That's the one who will always go to the visitors first, will go to ALL the visitors first who sometimes think they have been personally 'selected' by that pup. The very humbling fact of the matter is that's the alpha pup whose job it is to make sure it is noticed! When someone is interested in a specific color and/or gender the choices are obviously going to be limited. As there surely is an 'art' to raising a puppy, likewise there is also an 'art' to selecting your Brittany puppy from us.  The art form is deliberate and designed with the best interest of the puppy and his or her new family of course! Funny thing is, things have a way of working out exactly as they should be. I am confident that is because God is a part of this that we call 'All Things Brittany."

Bragging Rights!: Well, I had not planned on being able to get away for the Southern Maine Coastal Classic Dog Shows which are held in Scarborough, Maine. John was to attend a legislative work session and Julie had offered to handle Hemi for me. As there were no "majors" Treasure's handler sent her home. Plans changed for me to show Hemi while "papa John' stayed home with Nova and her pups and the ATB crew. Thistle won Best of Breed and her brother Hemi won Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex! What a feeling to be the breeder and in the ring with the two top winning Brittanys of the day. Although I have never been bitten by the dog showing 'bug' and only show occasionally to support the dual concept the breed is known for, I love the feeling of walking on air when a judge recognizes what we already know about our dogs. The frosting on the cake is that Hemi's win came out of the Bred by Exhibitor class. Also that day Thistle went on to compete in the Sporting Group competition, a first for her and Julie. Thistle picked up additional points towards her grand champion title while Hemi's win brought him right to the door of finishing his championship - he is very, very close.

I'm consumed by the desire to want to be with the pups, observing, monitoring and making sure Nova's needs are all met means.  As always, John is readily available via telephone.  I have not dropped off the face of the earth although I do love being 'sequestered' and the view from here is simply amazing.  Thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany - take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and our canine crew.