T'was the Week of Thanksgiving

J&A's DESIRE OF THE HEART - ELETA (Ellie)

BELLA (Kiba)

J&A's RUFF PLAY - BROOK - (Amie)

REFLECTION Time goes by. We all know that is true. I feel in regards to time that a dog breeders calendar truly is perpetual.  Planning a litter often begins years in advance.  Looking at pedigrees, observing dogs in person, considering what your own purpose is for breeding in the first place, and what you may hope to achieve by bringing two particular animals together in the first place.  You work closely with those whose opinions and experiences you trust.  You observe others from a distance to see what may or may not have worked for them. You consider health, temperament, function, conformation, and much much more.  Sometimes you feel as if you are living in a glass house while other times you are certain you are invisible.  Unsolicited opinions cover a full spectrum which includes criticism as well as support and encouragement.  You follow your heart, but you also follow your head.  You look not only at the beautiful dogs in front of you, but you look behind you for several generations. You look ahead of you in anticipation of what the future may bring.  An estrus season comes.  The intended is brought to your girl.  You wait, hope, and pray during 9 very long weeks.  There are no guarantees. Ever.  The majority of time there are no complications.  Years and years go by without an issue. Sometimes it seems the more you learn and the more you know, the more you realize the very real risks that are involved.

One week from today three very special pups will leave our care and begin the first day of the rest of their lives with their new families.  Kiba's new name will be Bella.  Amie will be called Brook.  Eleta will keep her name and be Ellie.  They are the three survivors of a litter of 8 girls born to Wilson & Pippin.  And they are beautiful, intelligent, fun, happy, and very very sweet!

Thistle being loved on by her son Quincy and his sire, Bullet.  

THISTLE UPDATE  Thank you for those who have continued to pray for Thistle's well being.  It has now been over 4 weeks since Thistles emergency surgery. Since then she has been on heavy duty medications and her blood work and liver values have been monitored closely.  In the hands of the medical time in Hermon, Maine and Rochester, NH the finest of animal medical professionals are involved in her healing and recovery.  She's not out of the woods yet but her spunkiness and love of life have returned.  Thistle is more like herself and there has been improvement. Julie has dedicated herself to the care and well being of  Thistle and I know it's been an exhausting time for her.  We hope you will continue to pray for Thistle and for Julie. There are still questions which need to be answered. Above all, we keep our eyes fixed on all things above, upon the Lord, for He is our ever present help in times of trouble.  In ALL THINGS.

We're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving here. Most of our family will be here and I'm looking forward to the traditional family meal.  Basically the menu is the same one that was passed on from John's grandparents, to his parents, and to us.  Through the years we have tried to enhance and add a couple of new offerings but in the long run we always return to what is tried and true.  The gravy that is only made on Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as the special way of making stuffing.  We have a lot to be thankful for this year! We wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving as well, and may God bless you as you gather around the table.  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

ATB: 4 Weeks Old Already

ELETA - Chosen One

KIBA - Protected One

AMIE - Beloved One

"We just want to say that we are looking forward to meeting our new families this week when they come to visit us for the first time!  Every day we're doing something new and adventurous.  The other night all 3 of us climbed up, over, out, and down onto the floor on the other side of our whelping box.  Our momma Pippin was not sure what to do about that but she doesn't seem to mind having us out with her. She can still get away from us if she wanted to but I don't know why she would want to do that.  Mostly we all hang out on her blankets, snuggling and playing.  We figured out that the special pads down on the floor in the corners are our 'bathrooms'.   We hope that there is going to be some more warmer weather before we go home in just a few more weeks. Ann said she can't wait to get us outdoors because there's just 3 of us and she thinks she can keep up with us.  She also said she's going to let us play with some of the frozen gamebird wings from those that John has shot this year.  That will be fun.  During the day we have a bunch of different activities when we are not sleeping. They don't last very long but we are sure getting a chance to learn about all the sights, scents, sounds, and more all around us.  We have been introduced to our first solid food. It was actually a little bit of cooked chicken which Ann used when she TRIED to pose us for a 'stacked' photo. She said "PHOOEY" to that though and decided to wait until we're a little bit older.  These pictures though are some of the ones that she took tonight. We think we are pretty cute, don't you?  All three of us are going to go to hunting families which is always John & Ann's choice and we are happy about that! One of us is also going somewhere where we might be shown if everything works out.  But above all, they say it's our nose that is the most important of all, whatever THAT means!  We are four weeks old today and in five weeks we'll begin the first day of the rest of our lives.  Time is flying by and we also have heard that our dad Wilson's human mom is going to come visit us and we really can't wait!! As they always say, take care and God bless you always - Kiba, Eleta, and Amie xoxoxo"

ATB Video: 3 1/2 Weeks Wilson & Pippin's Girls

Before we know it Eleta, Amie, and Kiba will be living the first day of the rest of their lives with their family and John and I will be waving goodbye as the car pulls out of the driveway!

THISTLE We received an update on Thistle today from Dr. Estel. The current plan is to stay the course. There has been a histiopathological exam involving the surgical specimen of the liver and the biopsy of the uterus and ovaries.  The thing to take away from the results is that there is no cancer.  There will be additional consultations on Monday.  From all that Julie has shared Thistle is doing great and has been more like herself. She had a day or two of increased activity which was so good to know. The prescribed medication she's been taking is having a positive effect on her body.  Praise God and also thank you to so many caring individuals who have reached out to us this past month a month where we truly have learned:

"'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"

CHRISSY Today when I approached the puppies in the whelping box they greeted me with little woofs!  I responded back happily by making funny noises and exaggerated motions.  Three beautiful little Brittany puppies ran to the edge of the box and each one tried to climb up onto the pig rail. As I watched them with amusement it seemed as if they have a bit of a competitive spirit within them, a realization that made me think of their beautiful grandmother Chrissy who was extremely animated and spunky.  Pippin and also Thistle the Pistol take after Chris that way.  The daughter of DC/AFC Masked Shoshoni War Chief JH Chrissy just passed on to the "Rainbow Bridge" after a brief illness.  She would have turned 13 years old in another week. Our deepest sympathies, love and prayers to the lovely couple who she shared her life with following motherhood and from teaching me how fun showing can be with a Brittany who enjoys it! 

DESIRES OF THE HEART Speaking of all things repeated, I cannot tell you how many times I have sat in the darkened area just on the other side of the whelping area and watched with awe as the new family bonds with their dam.  I have witnessed sights which one could nearly refer to as reverent.  Tonight was no exception.  Pippin and I had taken a bit of a walk together out in the yard earlier. Upon returning I refreshed her pail of water and filled her food dish.  It was time to get her settled  and make sure the pups were all set.   I turned the overhead lights out and switched on the little night light leaving the soft instrumental music playing.  The light from the overhead infrared heat lamp cast a light pink glow upon the three pups while the surrounding area was in darkness.  That's where I sat, in the darkness finding myself mesmerized by that precious sight.  The pups could not see me on the other side so of course they were unaware they had a captive audience. 

Pippin jumped up into my lap and together we watched Eleta, Kiba, and Amie each approach the side of the box.  Each one simultaneously lifted one little leg onto the rail and then the other bringing their little bobble head up higher than the edge.  I wondered what it looked like to them!  It was if they were sizing the situation up before making the one brave move which would launch them up, over, and down onto the other side of the world as they know it up to now. I whispered to Pippin 'uh oh Pip! Soon they will be invading your space!'  Her response believe it of not was to jump down off my lap and move closer to where they were. Pippins appearance quickly diverted the attention of the pups from their great escape to her own powerful presence.  I thought to myself how clever she was to perceive the situation and to then intervene as she did.   After gently bopping the bobble heads down from the rail Pip nonchalantly stepped up, over and into where they were and offered them their dinner. When it is meal time they turn into little piggies slurping and suckling away at their mother. Tonight Pippin fed them their late night supper while standing, causing the pups to stand as well.  If I had not felt the teeth inside their mouths earlier I would now have understood this move on Pippin's part!

I think the greatest changes appear right now from 3 weeks to 4 weeks.  I see differences in the pups from morning to night sometimes. They look at me with intent and purpose. They respond to my voice and to my movements.  When I hold them they stretch their heads forward to kiss my nose.  And the puppy breath! The all intoxicating puppy breath!  Ahhhhhhhh......

I'm fighting the overwhelming urge to fall asleep.  A few seconds ago I drifted off briefly to awaken to several lines of m's typed across the page. Pippin and her pups can be observed throughout the night and into the next day through the live stream video.   I can roll over into the awaiting paws of Treasure and her hot shot daughter Holly Beth.  And I can lift a pray to God, thanking Him yet again for His faithfulness to watch over and protect all that concerns us.  I will write more again soon about the puppies and their development and thank you as always for your interest in ATB.  Take care and God bless you always.

BLESSINGS

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Writer(s): Laura Mixon Story, Liz Story
Copyright: Story Duke Music, Laura Stories, New Spring Publishing Inc., Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp.