ATB VIDEO: 7 Week Old Brittany Pups At Play

 

"Here we are at 7 weeks old, the "All Things Hoped For" puppies of Hemi & Treasure!!"

 

We are two weeks away and counting from the first day of the rest of their lives. Soon everything will change for Comet, Cupid, Donna, Dasher, Buck, Holly, Hope, and Chris. Actually, every day of their young life has been in anticipation and preparation of that very special occasion.  There truly is much joy in this journey and there is also much work with, when everything is said and done, is a labor of love.  All for the love of the dog, both given and received.

 

I've surely been on the receiving of so much puppy love this past week.  One afternoon when it was snowing I just felt the sudden urge to sit in the middle of the open ended whelping box.  Why not?! The pups were certainly well pleased even if just a bit shocked to find me join them. Spreading a fresh clean blanket over the floor of their whelping box carpet I carefully climbed in and sat in the corner.  It brought me back to a time when I was but a child and use to do this with the Boston Terrier puppies that my parents bred.  Soon, there were 8 happy, tired, cuddly and warm, very sweet puppies finding a comfortable place to lay their head. Treasure did a drive by, looked at me like I was nuts then happily jumped up on the couch and took a nap. 

One by one each puppy found its way into my arms.  I took turns with them, one by one, talking softly. Oh how they love to be told they are 'gooooooooood, goooooooood, puppies'. Getting to know them has been pure delight. They are very much alike while at the same time being very much unique in their own right.  As it should be. As it is with all puppy litters.

 

Once again I thought about how I have now held in my arms 3 generations of our own Brittanys as breeders of both parents and beyond. I can remember the whelping of Hemi, Treasure, and Pippin as if it was yesterday.  Time goes by very quickly.

 

This video affords a brief glimpse into the highly energetic world of "All Things Hoped For". It's one of the many recesses that they have daily.  They are enjoying their playground.  Many transitions have taken place in the puppy cave, an area which doubles and triples in purpose frequently. We're in the most challenging development stage of all for the pups.

 

Because of the frigid temps these pups have not been outdoors very much. But they have enjoyed their mini-excursions outside of their puppy world. They have also enjoyed the steady flow of visitors from family, friends, and their new families.  Our challenge is to daily find new ways to expand their horizons and that is not always easy.  Today I was so happy to see John bring the culvert into the puppy playpen. The puppies were even happier!

 

Yes. I am tired. Yes. John is tired.  But I wouldn't have it any other way. Having puppies in the winter helps keep cabin fever and Seasonal Affective Disorder at bay.  There are days they have been my very reason for getting up in the morning.  And when I am with them, tucked away in this world that revolves around their every need time truly stands still.

 

Treasure is also tired but she's still very attentive to her babies.  They respect her and will no longer approach her to nurse. They are eating solid food and she has all but weaned them herself.  She enjoys taking a toy out of the toy basket and bringing it to her pups. When I took each puppy outdoors one by one, she stayed close and kept a watchful eye on what was going on all around us. 

 

Anytime I take a video or try to capture puppy photos the chances are good not all of them will be part of the shoot.  Such as the case in this video. Some of the cast of characters really stand out, and those that usually are front and center may be found dozing or off to the side watching.

 

Dozing... that's what I'm starting to do.  It's been awhile since I have fallen asleep writing at the keyboard my head dropping forward.  But I'm close to that tonight.  So much more to say but for now I'm going to call it a day.  It's 10 pm on a Saturday night. And I am head over heels in love.  And they call it puppy love...

 

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

ATB: Breeding Announcement

(Click to view a larger image)

 

"BULLET"

CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH, CGC, FD

Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH PennHip .55/.41

Dam: KJ Requets Bouncin' Crysta OFA Excellent

Breeders: John & Ann H. Short   ~   Owners: Julie M. Harris & John A. Short, Sr.

D.O.B. September 17, 2008

"THISTLE"

GCH CH J&A's Sisters of the Heart JH

Sire: GCH CH Tonan-Hopes RU Kiddin Me OFA Good

Dam: CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton OFA Excellent

Breeders: John & Ann H. Short    ~   Owners: Julie M. Harris & Ann H. Short

D.O.B. May 10, 2011

We are extremely pleased to announce the breeding of Bullet & Thistle. To bring these two beautiful animals together is to continue to develop and improve upon our program of close working gundogs for the walking upland game hunter. Bringing them together also causes us to catch our breath as the reality of breeding two champions for the first time ever which we have personally bred ourselves sinks in.

As the very first AKC Champion which we bred here at J&A's Brittanys, Bullet reminds us that we met a breeding goal of improving conformation in an already established bird dog hunting program. Bullet is a champion on many levels here at J&A's Brittanys. He is our first AKC Show Champion and first AKC Senior Hunter. He also has field points towards his AKC Field Champion title. Bullet also has a Flyball Dog title and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen. Bullet's disposition is sweet, his intelligence keen, his hunting ability stellar, and his style impressive. OFA Fair with DNA on file, he is a fine looking Brittany who measures in exactly at 20.5", is muscular and solid, and hunts hard. He white and orange and known as the handsome dude.

Thistle is the daughter of our second AKC Champion (Pippin). Thistle defies gravity with her ever unpredictable spunky ways and has earned her nickname as 'the Pistol'. Shown minimally but exclusively by Julie, Thistle was winning majors at an early age and finished her bench title within a few local New England Shows. Likewise, she soon earned her GCH title finishing with 5 grand champion major wins. Thistle earned her AKC Junior Hunter title in two weekends. Just under 19 inches the petite and solid badaboom Pistol is OFA Good/PennHip .36/.38 with DNA on file.  She is white and orange.

We believe this breeding will once again bring together some great winning dogs with outstanding hunting, show, field, and performance potential. A continuation of our 3^rd generation of close working Brittany gundogs gundogs there are many notable dogs behind the anticipated pups. Familiar dogs include GCH Tonan-Hopes RU-Kiddin Me, DC/FC Masked Shoshini War Chief JH (line breeding), NAFC/AFC/FC Aux Arc Mark HOF, NAFC/DC/AFC/ Renegades Kansas Kid HOF as well as Brittanys from the Birch Spring program.

Breeding has occurred. Believing all goes well we can anticipate the arrival of Bullet X Thistle puppies mid March 2014.   Pups from this litter have been reserved in advance.

BULLET's PROGENY:
Proven as a stud Bullet is sire to CH J&A's Quiet Courage JH, NA 107, Prize 1, Bullet was previously bred to J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton in 2012 and produced an amazing litter at that time.  Pups from this litter are actively hunted with several close to finishing their AKC Junior Hunter title. Another is also shown occasionally.

ATB: INTERVIEW WITH THE DOG

While our visits with new puppy families are well underway I am reminded that sometimes those who are new to the ATB family have mentioned after the fact they really felt as if they were being interviewed by John and I.  The owners and lovers of Nash and Star in particular told me years later that they were actually nervous as they realized they were being interviewed for a dog!!!  We are very good friends now but it still gives us something to think about.  This post is going around on Facebook and I thought it might be nice to share it here. I hope you'll take this seriously, we do. This is an awesome interview and I am thankful for the dog who broke the 'shroud of secrecy'.  I am NOT the author and I have tried to give the correct attribution as noted at the bottom. 

INTERVIEW WITH THE DOG*

The silence is broken

We asked a dog to pull aside the shroud of secrecy and be interviewed. He asked that his name not be used, but for the good of all dogs he agreed to share these 10 insights with humans.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful to me. Remember that before you buy me.

2. Give me some time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It's crucial to my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't isolate me up as punishment. You have your work, entertainment and your friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will not be able to forget it.

7. Remember before you hit me that I have powerful teeth, but I choose not to use them.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting older and weaker.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You'll be old one day.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say : "I can't watch , it's too painful." Everything is easier when you are with me.

And through it all :
Remember that I love you.

* from aplacetolovedogs.com

ATB VIDEO: Side Pose at 4 WEEKS

ATB VIDEO: 4 Week Old Brittany Pups & Sound Effects

 

For the past 8 years we have been using the Sound Effects Library CD to help introduce our Brittany pups to a variety of sounds. There are over 100 short sound bytes of varying degree ranging from street traffic, a baby crying, cat meowing, horse whinnying and of course appropriate for pups who will grow up to be hunting dogs, the sound of various guns being fired.  As the pups ears open about 2 weeks old or so, the first sound they hear is the music which plays quietly and continuously in the puppy room.  As they grow and become use to our voices and the sound of television, other dogs barking we intentionally work to help them become confident of sharper, noisier and perhaps unpleasant noises. It is amazing to watch them over the course of just a few days become nearly oblivious to sounds which may otherwise frighten a very young puppy. We've probably all seen that puppy who runs, hides, and cowers out of fear of a loud noise. Anyway, it's just plain fun and while it is done in the name of puppy development absolutely ANYTHING which gives the opportunity to spend time watching, learning, observing the puppies is a valuable experience. This brief video captures one of several structured play and activity periods for the pups throughout the day.  They are still sleeping 90% of the time but they are more active than ever and so in love with life!  I have been in love with them for a very long while but now, I do believe they are in love with me too so for the brief time that remains I will continue to give them my all.  Do I have to? No, I do not but I want to.  Would they grow into bold and confident bird dogs without this? Most likely so.  But I am proud of our puppies, happy to do all that we can to help assure that they will be well balanced all the days of their lives. For pups who will be shown, I especially find great value in using the Sound Effects Library. I've never been a fan of rushing a potential show pup off to the public arena of dog shows at a very young age for the purpose of exposing them to the sounds of a dog show.  For pups that will be hunted there is also great value in the sound desensitization training while they are this age.  Too many pups are ruined by improper introduction to the sound of gunshot. Above all, this is just a wicked cute video which we hope you'll enjoy!!! As always take care and God bless - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

Brittany Puppies - First Solid Food !

 

"You have at least 4 weeks to go to endure the constant sharing about All Things Hoped For ! Having said that we're approaching 4 weeks of age with joy and delight in this journey. Daily we have about 3 structured playtimes now out on the floor. The pups get a chance to climb around obstacles, peer at each other around corners, back into corners and figure out what to do about that, and decide if they will use the paper on the floor to eliminate or not! I have puppy mash heating on the woodstove so we're going to introduce that in a fun way later after the current naptime. A couple of hours ago they were introduced to the CD sound effect library. They heard 19 new, brief sounds and by the time the very muffled gunfire in the distance played they had already curled up into a pile and were fast asleep on the floor. The pups did wake up when I stepped into the whelping box to do routine cleaning and using the hand vac but fell back to the land of dreams within seconds. They are playing with puppy toys that have survived over time (Kong, Nylabone, tug toys) and the few soft toys I had momma Treasure already decided she wanted. I thought she was going to rip them up but that wasn't her plan at all. This will sound familiar to those who have seen the video of her introducing pups to bird scent in 2009. Sure enough, the soft toys that had squeakers in them, she brought to the puppies, lay down with them, and began to make the toy squeak. To say I am having fun would be an understatement."

 

As always, thanks for your interest and for following our ATB blog. I know I don't say it often enough, but you are very much appreciated - all of you. You know who you are. Take care and God bless you  - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

ATB: 3 Week Weigh In

ATB VIDEO: 3 week old Brittany Puppies

The ALL THINGS Hoped For Puppies

3 weeks old January 2, 2014

Coordination is improving and they are becoming more confident and bold as personalities continue to improve.  They have been out of the box several times now to explore their immediate surroundings.  This time period from 3 weeks to 4 weeks we will see major changes on several levels.  In between 4 and 5 weeks the pups will begin to receive visits from their respective new families who are anxiously awaiting the first day of the rest of their lives.  All is well and Treasure remains a wonderful mother. Pups average weight at 3 weeks old is 3 lbs which is pleasing to us as breeders.  Hope you enjoy the video! Take care and God bless you and yours always and by the way - Happy New Year!! John, Ann, and All Things Brittany