J&A's Brittanys - From the Archives (True & Toph pups)

J&A's Keeper of the Stars of Acton SH - "TRUE"

J&A's Birch Spring Breaking New Ground JH, NA 107 Prize 1 - "TOPH"

"The Patriotic Litter" 2018

Hamilton - 6 Weeks 

Banner - 6 weeks

Patriot - 6 weeks

Betsy - 6 weeks

Rocket - 6 weeks

Hope - 6 weeks

Revere - 6 weeks

Spangle - 6 weeks

Sam - 6 weeks

Franklin - 6 weeks

J&A's Brittanys "Autumn's Treasures" - 6 Weeks Old

Here's a few random candid photos of the pups at 6 weeks old!  Update follows the pictures.

In two weeks the Autumn Treasures will leave their first family here and begin the first day of the rest of their lives.  The time has flown by and the pups have undergone tremendous changes on many levels.  

At 6 weeks old they are fully weaned and eating 3 meals a day.  Holly still interacts with her pups and enjoys playing with them.  She also will correct them and remind them that nursing is pretty much off limits although she will sometimes let them have a little snack!  We let her lay the ground rules as far as how much interaction she wants with her puppies.  Our experience has been that the pups greatly benefit from spending time with their mother.  She can teach them things that will benefit for them during their entire lifetime. Things such as bite inhibition, respect, and more. When she has been away from them for an extended time and returns, Holly will carefully go over each and every puppy.  

The pups have been exposed to so many things!  They enjoy playing with each other as well as with their toys.  They are entertaining with their 'crazy puppy spurts' otherwise known as the 'zoomies'!  Recently John put up the outside puppy play area for their enjoyment.  Covered with artificial turf and safely enclosed it includes a puppy activity center, a tunnel, crates to crawl through, and a raised dog bed.  

This litter is absolutely beautiful and if our situation were different now I would definitely keep a puppy.  But wisdom and common sense must be applied above all because we have our wonderful senior dogs who are more than deserving of the time and attention that otherwise would have to be poured into the life of a young puppy.  They don't realize they are seniors and on any given day they are running around, playful, and spry.  Most are still actively hunted and all enjoy time in the field.  They are all really still puppies at heart!

It's going to continue to be extremely busy between now and when the Autumn Treasures go 'home'.  We have the puppy aptitude tests, microchipping, vet visits, introduction to quail and more.  They are learning to go to the bathroom in one area although far from perfect.  Suffice to say, they get 'sponge baths' frequently! They respond to my voice and are learning to sit and wait instead of jumping up.  The foundations are being laid for their continuing education which is so important.  

On a personal note, updates and photography have taken a backseat the past couple of week.  I am sad to say that my sister recently passed away at home after a brief illness. I was fortunate to spend some special moments with her prior but it's still a shock to all of us. She is at peace and for that I am thankful. Having 11 beautiful puppies to snuggle with and to keep my focus on has helped my heart and been a blessing in disguise. 

J&A's Brittanys - 3 week old Autumn's Treasures Photos

J&A's Brittanys "Autumn's Treasures" - 2 Weeks Old

Each day brings something new to discover about the pups, even at 2 weeks old!  Several puppies of Autumn's Treasure's have started to open their eyes and I suspect by mid-week they will all be open. They always remind me of little panda bears at this stage. It won't be long before their vision becomes clearer and they will start to be aware of their surroundings for the very first time. Their reactions are so funny as they look around. Sometimes they are quite baffled at what they see. 

As the first two weeks of the puppy's life concludes, so will the neonatal stage. They entered the world blind, deaf, and neurologically undeveloped. There is very little difference between their brain activity from the time they sleep or when awake. I have followed the early development exercises which actually help their nervous system mature quicker and also to enhance certain learning skills. 

With eyes opening the Transitional Period begins. This is from 14 - 21 days of age and these pups are on schedule! Right now, coordination is NOT their strong point but that will come with time. That's fine with me though, they are comic relief in a time when it is needed most. All of the puppies are up on all four of their wobbly legs and trying to figure out how to make it all work together. They bump into each other, roll up and over their littermates bodies, and when their energy runs out, they collapse wherever they happen to be. There is increased brain activity right now in contrast to the quiet near reverent first weeks of life in neonatal puppies and their bodies are responding!

Of course one of the best things about having puppies is when you can sit on the floor with them and be in the middle of a puppy pile! They are very close to climbing up and over and I expect at anytime to see a puppy out on the floor. When that happens it's our cue to extend the height of the sides to contain them just a wee bit longer. As the puppies have started to move about more in the whelping box they also are beginning to eliminate on their own. I put a puppy pee pad down today just for curiosity sake in the box. I was pleased to see evidence of a few puppies peeing on it already. 

In about 5 days or so their ears will begin to open. As we approach this period we are mindful of loud noises around the puppies. The first time that I notice their reaction to sound is an exciting one for me! I begin to gently clap my hands to see if they will turn their heads in the direction the sound is coming from.

I have loved the neonatal stage. Spending hours observing the puppy's every move with just the glow of the overhead heat lamp is one of my favorite things to do. Listening to their breathing, weighing them, making sure Holly is settled in her duties. Our care for them will continue increase and Holly will eventually 'hand off' her duties and the real work begins. Even so, it's a labor of love and I knew what I was getting into. I am hopelessly devoted and look forward to each and every stage of the next 6 weeks.

As always thank you for your interest! Take care and God bless you and yours. John, Ann, Holly and pups, and the entire ATB crew. 

J&A's "Autumn's Treasures" - 1 Week Old