The Whelping Journal: BEST OF ATB

FROM THE ARCHIVES and previously published. 

"Good morning!  I had no intention of blogging again so soon.  My plans for the day included catching up on all things administration which consequently, led me to digging through some files. You know those quizes that are supposed to help you determine what your gifting, personality, etc. are? Well years ago when I was studying for ministry credentials I took a test to help determine my calling. That in itself is another story.  The results identified a very strong spiritual Gift of Administration.  Now John and others who know me may choose to differ 😅😍 but! it is a fact that I truly do enjoy organizing, administrating, writing, and managing files. I love to write both longhand and electronically.  I also like creating forms, graphs, etc.  As for those of you who don't know me well (yet) might roll your eyes and yawn, don't worry - I do find enjoyment in a myriad of other ways! But I digress.

I have written in the past about my dad's whelping journal:
"I have my father's red and well worn whelping diary which he wrote in the 60's.  To a non-breeder the chicken scratch on each line of each page would make little sense. To me, it is a walk down memory lane as I read about the birth of my Lily Belle, the puppies of Snooky and Rosie, the surgery of Little Frankie, the emergency trips to the Portsmouth Animal Hospital and more." 


I have also shared previously about my own well worn journal which I've posted above. That journal began in late 2007, just before I started this blog. Prior to that I had created forms for my notations, puppy reservation information, temperature charts, whelping tables, and ways to keep track of inquiries, visits and more.  But these early notes had been missing.  That is, until this morning. 


I had pulled my Thistle/Bullet and Pippin/Wilson puppy files to review. They were our last two litters 4 years ago. I had other folders out too of  those ATB families who are getting another Brittany from us.  I just use their prior questionnaires. As a breeder it's a true sense of joy working with someone who already has had a Brittany from us in past years that has given their dog an amazing life. I found the files I needed but just as I was about to put everything back I noticed an unmarked, well worn tabbed and bulging file folder.  I was curious as to what I may have overlooked.  As I recognized the contents of this folder I just as let out a big exclamation of "WOW"!   


These particular notes are special.  Why?  Because these are the detailed birth record of my beautiful Treasure, Holly's mother.  Those notes were written exactly 12 years ago today.  Treasure's birthday is Saturday! Even so, it is not only the obvious and emotional context that is significant to this breeder's heart.  It is that now I have in my hands the complete whelping history of Holly's mother Treasure but also her grandmother,Wish who passed away last year shortly after her 14th birthday. The value and importance of this information cannot be overlooked, especially for a first time mother who will give birth to the 4th generation of our amazing close working Brittany gun-dogs.  While it is true we always need to be prepared for anything which might happen, I'm thankful for this information today.  It gives me such peace. 

JUNE 2006 WHELPING NOTES: (Treasure's arrival!)

 Day 46 Wish's hair is shedding around her nipples
Day 57 Wish is very unconfortable, restless, not eating, vomited late PM/seems to be having light contractions, content but changes position a lot
Day 58 Trying to get Wish to eat. Egg or liver separately, also some Esbilac. Acts like she feels miserable. Taking Temps now every 12 hours.
Day 59 Temp dropped to 99.9. Mild straining, pushing, stretching at 3 pm.  Temp down 99.1.  Licking herself, digging papers, more/mild contractions/ 8:30 pm Temp is 90.  Fairly regular contractions about 10 minutes apart. Tries to sleep but contractions intensify.  Think her water broke at 11:20 pm.  Digging, straining, licking, she is getting so restless and looking to me for assurance/staying right with her.
Day 60 (June 16, 2006) 6:35 a.m. Wish whelped the first of 7 beautiful pups/her labor went very well, close deliveries, she got them nursing almost immediately/had basket with infrared light ready and she seemed to communicate to me when to put them in and when to take them out based on the whelping of each pup/very little assistance, just two aspirations and one cord needed cutting/a 'breech' birth (o/w/male) required a lubed gloved finger to help delivery head, pup was fine just a little blue at first/Gave Wish Pet-drops at start of labor and electrolytes during an after/Last pup born after a long delay. I thought she was done!"  

Take care and God bless, and thank you for your prayers and for being who you are. John, Ann, and All Things Brittany"

Previously published/From the archives, The BEST OF ATB

J&A's Puppy Visits Begin

Here's a few pictures from our first puppy visit today. Dan, Kristie and their sons  own 6 year old "Bolt" out of Treasure & Bullet's litter.  A wonderful family, we had the pleasure of meeting up at several dog shows when Bolt was a pup and also were there when he was working on his AKC Junior Hunter title.  The boys have grown up so much in the past 6 years and are looking forward to their new puppy. It was such an enjoyable time as the pictures will speak for themselves. The new puppy play yard worked out so well for the visits.  Holly was quite relaxed as she interacted.  At 4 weeks old the level of activity was not exactly exciting but everyone had snuggles and kisses!  This is a hunting family and Bolt has been a great bird dog since his first season.  He's traveled out of New England for some impressive wild pheasant hunts with Dan. I enjoyed hearing the stories too of the boys bird hunting. Needless to say when I learned they would like one of Holly's pups it made me very, very happy!  I'm not sure if I'll get pictures to share of every visit but wanted to share these from today. We have two more visits tomorrow and more scheduled throughout August.  Feeling very blessed.

J&A's Brittanys: Introducing Holly's "Timeless Treasures"

The "TIMELESS TREASURES"
Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special SH "BULLET"
Dam: J&A's Carry the Dream of Acton JH, NA 110 Prize 1 "HOLLY BETH"

On June 24, 2018 at 12:30 a.m. Holly delivered the 1st of her 9 beautiful Brittany puppies.  The last one was born at 5:00 a.m. It was a joy to see that she carries the same strong maternal instincts as her own mother Treasure and her grandmother Wish. Holly is doing great and so are all 9 puppies. We're all very, very exhausted but that goes with the territory.  After not having a litter of puppies here for 4 years, it is just awesome to look at Holly and her puppies and feel such a sense of joy and happiness.  I have to thank our Puppy Prayer Watch group of Kira, Julie, Teri, Christine, Bo and others who prayed us through. Holly delivered her 1st puppy just about 12 hours from when her temperature dropped, thus the importance of charting the highs and lows. 

For several days John and I will take shifts and stay 24/7 with our pups.  One of our vets dropped in today to check in on the happy family.  He was very pleased with how Holly and the pups were doing as well as the set up we have. Tomorrow the puppies will have their dewclaws removed and their tails will be cropped per the requirements of the American Brittany Club and the American Kennel Club Breed Standard.

The first 72 hours are key.  We're watching weight gain, is momma cleaning and stimulating the pups, is every puppy getting a turn to nurse, and more.  So far they all have gained weight and the litter's overall average birth weight is 10 oz as we close in on 48 hours old.

What I can tell you tonight in all honesty is that there is a near sense of reverence to sit back and watch the bonding and the love develop between Holly and her pups. It is beautiful especially in the light of the heat lamp and the ambiance of the music playing.  I'm also using Lavender essential oil not only for aroma therapy to relax but also to keep poopy momma smells to a minimum! 

Soon I will upload photos to our Facebook page. There's a link to that in the column to the right and I don't think you have to be on FB to see them. I have a gazillion pictures! 

"Thank you Lord that we are witness to the miracle of life through these amazing, graceful animals called the Brittany. They are your 'lesser creatures' given to us to care for and also enjoy. But they give back so much to us right from the beginning, even to the end of their all too short lives. I ask that beginning now and until that day you'll keep them healthy, safe, protected, and loved. As these coming weeks go by please allow all things to work for good because we love you.  I pray now in Jesus Name for each and every person who is awaiting the first day of the rest of the life of their new puppy.  Help them as they prepare to welcome that pup into their heart and home.  Give us all wisdom when it comes to the selection as you have done in the past.  In the meantime Lord, for these brief 8 weeks that will fly by, please strengthen us and equip us to do our very best in preparing these pups for the day they will leave.  Help us as we give them the start that they deserve as we are responsible to bring them into this world.  Comfort Holly Beth as she regains her own strength. I pray also for sweet Miss Toph as her due date is quickly approaches. And especially tonight - I bring my nephew Billy to you yet again. Please intervene Lord as he fights this cancer, strengthen him in the hospital, let us see a miracle in Jesus Name.  Amen" 

I really hope you are following along in the book that is required reading for our puppy people, The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete.  You'll love knowing what development stage your pup is experiencing.  If I wasn't so tired I'd share more about it but yeah, I'm about ready to nod off at the keyboard and it's been awhile since I was that tired.

Take care and God bless,

John & Ann & All Things Brittany

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