ATB Waiting Game

Revere (True/Toph 2018)

The thoughts swirling around in the head of a breeder are as numerous as the stars of the sky.  Mine sure are now following a successful breeding with True and Toph!  As I have written in the past, "God has brought us through a season of waiting before.  I am confident He will bring us through this one too! He has given us the desires of our heart before, and taught us that all things are possible, only believe.  He is truly my magnificent obsession and consuming passion.  I know that when I wait on the Lord, He renews my strength.  I know He provides the way for me to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. In all things I will acknowledge God land trust completely that He will direct our paths.  He works all things out for good to those who love Him! Let all that I am wait quietly before God for my hope is in Him."  

After a while one could almost assume a breeders' experiences would eventually bring the breeder to the place where nothing was new under the sun.  I mean, how difficult is it to bring two animals together at the proper time for the purpose to  and?  It all should come naturally, shouldn't it?  At least for the animals involved who have been doing this with great success since the beginning of time, but I digress.

John and I bred our first litter of Brittany puppies in 1990. We bred our second litter about 15 years later. During those years, our focus was on raising our children, loving and devoting our time to them. Those wonderful years passed much too quickly as we all know they do. Seemingly in a nanosecond, they were both happily married with children of their own.  We now had time to establish a breeding program that had been put on hold and soon were working with various breeders who had Brittanys that could be traced back to our own first Brittany. As they say, the rest is history and detailed on our John and Ann's Brittany Story

I find the years in between our first and second litter are likened to the proverbial 'dash' of life.  Although to some it would appear not much was going on with Brittanys in favor of putting our family first, that one boy that we kept grew up with our son and daughter.  He was even buds with our first granddaughter. We learned about and experienced first-hand the wondrous and remarkable human-animal bond.  Hunter lived to be 13. He was a true family hunting companion, and it was through Hunter that lessons about hunting wild birds were learned.  We also learned all about the comical and endearing Brittany personality.  A wonderful foundation was laid, one which by the Grace of God, we will continue to build upon. There are no shortcuts. 

I believe it should come naturally for a breeder to easily explain their purpose for their breeding program. In other words, a brief 'mission statement'. For instance, some of the language the American Kennel Club uses in theirs states how they are "dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function..." Another breeders' mission statement includes a pledge "to each dog that we bring into the world to accept the responsibility of providing them with safety joy, enrichment, glowing health and adoration..."  

In 2003 Rick Warren wrote an amazing book called "The Purpose Driven Life". It explored 5 specific purposes which profoundly affected the lives of the thousands who read it, and one I highly recommend.  

• What on Earth Am I Here For?

• Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure 

• Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God's Family

• Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ 

• Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God 

• Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission 

Several years later the title of Rick's book resonated within me on an entirely different and secular level. I had been made aware of anti-breeder legislation, substandard kennels, and the animal rights industry (not to be confused with animal welfare). Together, John and I stepped into the arena with others to protect the rights of all sporting and hunting dog owners and breeders. I wrote a couple of articles about the importance of having (you guessed it) a PURPOSE DRIVEN BREEDING PROGRAM. I introduced the term into written testimony when opposing certain legislation. 

It was at this point I recognized the importance of having a definitive 'mission statement' and realized J&A's Brittanys already WAS indeed a PURPOSE DRIVEN BREEDING PROGRAM:

• What on earth is our breeding program focused on?

• Purpose #1: An exceptional, family hunting dog possessing strong natural instincts

• Purpose #2: Brittanys that are personable, healthy, socialized, well adjusted, and sound

• Purpose #3: The versatile and dual concept of the Brittany

• Purpose #4: Adherence to the AKC Breed Standard and American Brittany Club's Code of Ethics

• Purpose #5: Ongoing evaluation and improvement with each successive generation

Thus, J&A's own mission statement was born!  It has been tweaked a time or two, and probably will continue to be tweaked but it has always been found on the home page of our website as: 

 

Welcome to the online home of "J & A's Brittanys" and "All Things Brittanys." This website features and highlights our beautiful, well-bred Brittany family bird dogs with a proven hunting heritage. Our purpose driving breeding program adheres to the AKC breed standard.  J&A's Brittanys primary focus is on the Brittany as an exceptional hunting dog. We support and promote the versatile and dual-purpose ability of the Brittany dog regarding strong natural hunting instincts with the correct conformation to enable the beautiful and fun-loving Brittany to do the job it is meant to do and to do it well. Sit back, take your time and enjoy your visit!

Anyway! Sort of a little rambling rabbit trail there so let me close.

Once again, we are doing a happy dance while in the waiting room.  Won't you wait with us? Let us take this journey, one day at a time. We will confirm Toph's pregnancy in a few weeks. I would be a liar if I said I was not excited! Thanks for your interest, love, support.  Stay tuned!

Take care and God bless from John, Ann, and All Things Brittany.

 

 PS We are proud to share that Revere has been issued his CHIC number.  He's available for stud service to approved bitches.