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

J&As Brittanys - Holly Beth Week 8

Today I began to chart Holly's temperature.  This is something that I will do daily as we enter her final week of pregnancy. Later this week I'll be taking it at least twice a day. A dog's normal temperature ranges from 100.5 to 102.5 and I will be looking for 'the drop'. The temperature may fluctuate at first, although not always. When it does drop to 100 (or lower) and remains there that usually means labor and delivery will take place in about 24 hours and STAGE ONE begins.  During this time Holly will exhibit any number of signs such as digging, nesting, hiding and an increased desire to go outside and relieve herself.  Remember - last year I let her out to go pee, she squatted and had a puppy right there on the front lawn!   

She and I are spending a few hours each day in the puppy cave, otherwise known as 'The Treasure House'. A special sort of space named after Holly's mother Treasure who was the first to have puppies there. The whelping box is just about ready.  We will put new linoleum and carpet in. I have all of the whelping supplies ready. UPS has been busy dropping off the necessary items that needed to be replaced.  Two new tubes of Calsorb were delivered this week and next I am anticipating the Adaptil Collar. Holly's grocery shopping was done this week and we are stocked up on cottage cheese, yogurt, liver, pedialyte, puppy pads etc.  I cooked off several chicken breasts, took the meat off the bone, shredded and froze it. Next I will making my "Nursing Mother's Pudding". 

My roll away cot has been set up as either John and/or I will remain constantly at her side during labor and for a week or so following the pup's birth.  I believe that the first 8 weeks of a puppy's life is so important and have no problem with my own life going on hold. Holly is a 'daddy's girl' and that is obvious to anyone who knows her.  Just tonight we were sitting out by the firepit with the whole crew and she was invited up into his lap for snuggles. A little later however it was clear she wanted to be by herself so she, Pippin, and I spent some time away from the others relaxing.  Holly Beth received lots of gentle belly rubs and the movement of her puppies can be felt. Not much longer sweet Holly Beth, not much longer. 

That's my update for now!  We are in countdown mode. Stay tuned and as always take care, God bless and we thank you for your interest in All Things Brittany - John, Ann, and crew

Art of Raising a Litter: Best of ATB

Puppy Cave = Transformed Grooming Studio! (Treasure above) 

FROM THE ARCHIVES:
The Art of Raising a Litter is gleaned from our original written puppy reservation policies and information over the years. 

We enjoy a purpose driven breeding program that includes careful selection and planning well in advance for each successive breeding.  An ongoing evaluation of our fun loving Brittany crew begins at birth.  It continues through the years through important feedback from those who will love and own them. The years pass quickly by but every day is still an ongoing experience of the love of the dog, both given and received. The ones we held in our hands wet from birth are the same ones we kneel next to as they take their final breaths.  This, this for us is a lifestyle choice and for all the right reasons. 

Because we're a multi-dog family we make sure that an expectant mother has her own warm, cozy, private space away from other dogs to comfortably settle into prior to whelping.  She spends more and more time there as the due date approaches.  It's set up to have many creature comforts for canine and humans alike. Some people have a man-cave. Well, we have a puppy-cave!

When expecting, the mother receives the best possible pre-natal care and given the most respect throughout her pregnancy, whelping, nursing and rearing of her puppies. Although monitored closely, she is afforded privacy during labor and delivery with minimal assistance. Whelping occurs in a separate and quiet atmosphere of low lighting, soft music, and warm, comfortable and clean surroundings. The safety, mental health, and overall well being of the nursing mother and her pups will always preclude any thought of ever permitting another family dog into her whelping box and surrounding area during this time.

During labor, we remain close by, taking cues from the mother should our assistance be needed during delivery and to reassure her with our presence. Most of the time our presence is welcome but we respect cues that indicate otherwise!

Shortly after birth each pup is carefully examined, photographed and weighed. Important information is quickly recorded and pup returned to it’s mother. This actually is their first “stimulation exercise!” We enjoy close observation of neo-natal pups and the interactions with their mother and siblings, sometimes simply sitting close by for hours. Neo natal pups are kept under an infra-red heat lamp, the temperature of the whelping box closely monitored. The whelping box is arranged so that one area is cooler for mom. A security surveillance camera, 2 way monitor, and a remote digital temperature sensor assure us peace of mind concerning their well-being 24 hours a day. It also makes it easy for us to communicate with each other of course.  (Pups will eventually  outgrow their initial need for such an intimate, private, and nurturing environment.) To avoid endangering any aspect of this stage of development we safeguard their nest and den on their behalf.  Lessons and rules learned from mother and siblings are crucial especially during the first 3 to 4 weeks for many reasons. (In recent years we have set up a private live video stream for the new families to enjoy the pups development.)

Early interactions prepare the way for healthy and stable relationships with other dogs and the most important relationship of all, the one they will have with humans. The first 72 hours is critical as pups are weighed at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours to be sure they are gaining weight. During the first 36 hours pups and mother are brought to the veterinarian for dew claw removal and tail docking. This will also be their first health exam. (Tails of our neo-natal pups have been submitted in past years to UC Davis as part of their ongoing Brittany genetic DNA research.  DNA was also collected from our adults for this purpose.)

We weigh pups every 24 hours and look for their birth weight to double around 10 days. Pups are handled daily.  Certain behavior is anticipated at various stages and it’s fun to watch for and identify each one. For years we've maintained an informative journal. This helps to compare similarities and differences in pups from previous litters including weight, size, and dates of significant phases of development. (These phases are noted in "The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete" which has always been J&A's required reading!) The journal is invaluable too when it comes to researching prior heat cycles, ovulation dates, and determining best time to breed and when to anticipate pups. Once a week, a photograph is taken of each puppy to have a visual record as well.  The pup who looks one way this week will look very different in the future.  This is one of the reasons why we wait until at least 7 weeks to determine puppy selection.

Although the evaluation process is ongoing from birth we have identified key periods for individual testing and evaluations and have developed a series of tests and exercises for pups. The exercises help us evaluate the pups while providing them with new learning opportunities as they experience new sights, tastes, sounds, surfaces, scents, etc. The more things a puppy is exposed to during these first weeks the easier it is for them to learn and accept new experiences later in life. See our list of blog pages for particulars. 

The animal - human bond is established gently with lots of love as we progress slowly and deliberately with them. Keeping our purpose based breeding program in mind we begin by reinforcing the canine rules taught by the mother Brittany, introduce human manners, and continually provide stimulus to enrich the environment of our Brittany puppies. Each puppy is a unique individual. Our methods of evaluating puppy development has been refined over time and is based on highly respected research by Pffafenberger, Scott & Fuller, Volhart, Hastings, etc.  

I would like to reiterate that although the 'alpha roll' has been an accepted concept it is too often repeated and used for the wrong reasons.  We've had puppy people come to visit and ask if they could do that to one of our young puppies. The answer is absolutely not. The alpha roll is an outdated and controversial dog training technique. We will incorporate it once, at 7 weeks as part of the Volhart temperament tests and only for 20 seconds, long enough to observe the pup's response.  There is a time and a place to do it, and a time to leave the exercise behind in a trail of dust. An alpha roll makes sense when dogs do it, humans should not consider it.

From about 4.5 weeks on life for the young Brittany pup changes rapidly.  Supervised and gradual introduction to the rest of the ATB family begins. Visits from prospective new families, evaluations by people unknown to the pups, vet visits, romps here there and everywhere, increased time with children, introductions to the crate, collar, and leash and so much more. It is a busy time where every moment of the day is devoted to puppy care in one way or another.  And it is perhaps the most enjoyable part of raising a litter of pups despite the hard work involved. Truly qualifying as "a labor of love"  

Weaning in itself is an important part of their development.  About 3 weeks old we introduce pups to warm puppy mash. It is quite a comical experience.  Each pup reacts different and in the end it is one big mess. It is a great photo opportunity!  Pups are separated from their mother for a few hours so as not to nurse and then have quite the appetite to try something new.  When they are finished mom comes back in to clean up the dish and her babies.  Once weaning is well underway pups are separated  from their mother for several days and fed warm puppy mash 5 times daily. This helps with mom's milk drying up. When weaning is complete they are reunited with her for extended periods right up until the time they go home.  No one can teach respect to a young puppy like a mother dog. The dam is always able to escape her pups however she often chooses to be with them especially at night. Pups are usually eating dry puppy food 3 times a day when they go home. 

We are devoted to our Brittanys and consider it of utmost importance to be aware of specific things about each pup as well as be personally familiar with the great dogs behind them in their pedigrees.  We make an effort to maximize the learning potential of each sweet little Brittany puppy by making learning fun for them while stimulating its learning ability, interests and natural instincts. We begin this at birth through the SMART PUPPY program.

It is a labor of love to get a pup ready to spend the rest of their life as an alert friendly, fearless, inquisitive, happy, and smart Brittany. It is perhaps the most important thing as breeders that John and I do. Our preparation includes establishing a firm, solid, foundation of trust and respect. The groundwork we lay involves the potential new owner as we guide and direct them in their own preparations to eventually bring pup home. We have always referred to puppy take home day as "the first day of the rest of their life". As we entrust the care of a Brittany puppy by placing them into the loving arms of fully prepared new owners we are assured and confident they will be responsible to continue what began here, long before pup was even born. 

Breeding Better Gundogs

We have now bred four generations of OUR line of close working Brittany gundogs who are actively hunting with their families.  The quality attributes and strengths which we have identified to be consistent in our Brittanys include:

• high intelligence level
• natural bird hunting abilities
• natural retrieving skills
• soft mouth
• versatility
• ease of training, cooperative
• biddable with a well balanced, fun-loving disposition with children and adults
• dual quality 

Of course, the ’genetic recipe’ of all Brittanys should always include the ability to work and perform as an intelligent hunting dog.  When possible, we maintain the best evidence of this is seen by going out into the field to work with an adult relative of a Brittany pup under consideration.  Great hunting dogs produce great hunting dogs. We enjoy supporting our claim about the natural hunting instincts prevalent in our Brittanys by actual field work (weather permitting) on an actual game bird. Despite what the dog has inherited, and regardless of how well prepared it is when it leaves us - training must be ongoing.  Just obtaining a Brittany from a good line is not enough. The new owner must provide proper nutrition, nurturing and training regardless of pups intended purpose. If the dog is to be hunted, early, consistent and frequent exposure to birds is a must. (All J & A’s Brittanys pups are introduced to birds before leaving.)

We believe there are critical factors in a hunting dogs performance to consider. and that the younger a Brittany is introduced to birds (correctly) the better.  The purpose of a Brittany is first and foremost a sporting dog bred to hunt. While the AKC breed standard should be adhered to in regards to conformation the existing hunting standard is equally as important and should not be overlooked. We desire to see Brittanys from our program participate at the youngest age possible in the AKC and/or NAVHDA hunting tests.  The most successful examples of a dogs ability to fulfill the purpose for which it was bred will also be the dogs that are best adapted physically to perform that purpose. Here is where adhering to the breed standard is the most important. Form (conformation) follows function with the function being the purpose for which the dog was bred. 

We know just how to guide a new Brittany owner to help their pup reach its full potential. We stand behind every Brittany puppy we are responsible for bringing into this world and will remain available for the lifetime of the dog. 

J&A's pups have never been defined with a single function in mind. They are dual purpose dogs. Our client’s homes are not defined as a show quality, pet quality, or a hunting quality home. My belief is that each home where a J&A's Brittany spend's it's life is a FULL QUALITY home. We encourage involvement in showing, hunt tests, field trials, fly ball, agility, obedience etc. Although our primary focus is on close working gun dogs,  many of them are show quality pups and do very well in the ring!  However, the majority of our Brittanys with great show potential never compete in the ring for the coveted champion title but remain as champions in the hearts of those who love and own them. I (Ann) so still carry a dream and a hope to see a Dual Champion though in my lifetime from our breeding program.  (Check out the column on the right side of this page where we proudly highlight our champions). 

The importance of any breeder 'proving' their program in the conformation ring cannot be overstated.  I was dragged kicking and streaming but came to understand that I needed to know how our Brittanys stood in regards to the AKC Breed Standard. Surprisingly, our dogs that have been shown have done very well. Even in the hands of amateur owner handlers! Titles on BOTH ends of a dog are just as important as their papers. As breeders we are the gatekeepers of the breed we know and love and need to do our part. I'm always ecstatic when someone wants to show their puppy, as long as they have let us know of the interest well in advance and will follow through with their intent. 


In closing, I apologize that some of this is redundant to those who are already on our waiting list. You have read most of this in our puppy reservation policies! 

As always thanks for your interest and following along!  Take care and God bless you and yours always. John, Ann, & All Things Brittany

CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton "PIPPIN"

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

All Things "Oly"

Tis the season! Very happy to share that Holly Beth is in pro-estrus. Holly will be visiting Oly once she moves from pro-estrus into estrus. Here are some photos of this handsome Brittany. Profiles and bios of both dogs can be found on J&A's Brittanys website

Son-of-A-Gunn JH  "OLY" 

Sire: NGDC NACDC VC AFC Peter Gunn 

Dam: Sling Blade's Trade

Oly's Sire 

Oly's Dam

www.mainebrittanysitejas.com

J&A's Summer Breeding Plans

Good things take time! 

Usually when we say 'Tis the season' it's in regards to Christmastime. It's a phrase used to draw the focus to the most festive time of the year. We've probably all sung the chorus of Deck the Halls 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, to la la la" while looking forward indeed to the most wonderful time of the year.  Suffice it to say, it's the middle of July and although the Hallmark channel is showing Christmas movies, we have about a half a year until it 'tis the season'. 

That is, unless you are me, waiting for Holly Beth to come into season, so that I CAN say "Tis the season"!  And that's exactly where I am right now. I am WAITING.  Good things take time.  But hey, at least it gives me something to blog about, right? Something uplifting and positive, something to lift spirits in a time of uncertainty and especially in the months following my dear Treasure's passing. I miss her every moment of every day.

So many of you have followed my intermittent writings over the years.  You have come alongside of me through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, the mountains and the valleys of many of life's experiences. The very existence of this blog and often our mutual love for God AND for Brittanys has resulted in some very wonderful friendships.  For this I am thankful. It has been fun to share each journey with you and especially when it involves waiting for puppies! Good things take time!

There is so much advance planning and careful consideration that takes place whenever looking ahead to a potential breeding.  I believe one of the most important things to consider is being certain that there are already homes lines up long before the actual breeding occurs.  We are happy to receive many inquiries into our breeding program on a regular basis.  We point the way to our puppy reservation policies through our website and take it from there. 

We do have a waiting list and have already announced our plans to those on the list. Some of  whom have been waiting since last year. Good things take time! Obviously availability cannot be guaranteed until there are actual pups on the ground but we are still happy to consider a few more who feel would be a good fit.  And if not for this litter we do have plans to do a nice repeat breeding with our daughter's Toph and our True for this fall and winter. Also, if all goes well there's going to be puppies sired by Hemi born in a couple of weeks. 

By the way, I've heard from other Brittany breeders that they have received double the inquiries into puppies this spring. Most believe that is due to the stay at home orders imposed upon us all due to the pandemic and all of a sudden people want puppies on a whim. Breeders are being especially careful and diligent right now, self included. (Fortunately everyone so far on our waiting list is already a part of the ATB family!)

I am sitting here listening to "The Message" on SiriusXM radio. The song "God You Reign" is playing. A good and timely reminder that indeed, whatever is going on God hasn't given up His authority and is faithful to watch over and protect all that concerns those who love Him. This state, country, and the world have gone nuts. 

It's getting late and I've been working on the bios and pedigrees for our summer breeding plans long enough. I received an upgrade to my pedigree program and I still haven't figured it out so if anyone sees any errors please do not hesitate to let me know.  I may tweak the web page a little more but I've been so anxious to let you know what our plans are this time around that I wanted to publish it now. 

So here you go, click here for the great reveal!  

As always thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany.  Take care and God bless you and yours! 

John, Ann and our canine crew. 

Stay tuned... 

J&A's Brittanys - Hanging With Puppies

Hanging out with Beauty, Hawkeye and all the pups.

Tomorrow is opening day for Maine's bird hunting season.  This morning John is helping with the state's pheasant stocking program in Southern Maine, something he thoroughly has enjoyed doing for many years now.  The email arrived from IF&W last week indicating the date, time, and locations.  I was going to go with him but as everyone knows I am NOT a morning person. This is especially so when we have puppies.  Last night I hung out with the Jack of Hearts litter of 9 until midnight. This morning I am working through my pumpkin spice coffee and relaxing briefly while trying to catch up here!

Evenings are a special time when there are puppies. At 8pm I turn the lights down in the puppy area and make sure that the music is set to something relaxing.  During the day when pups are not outside there is always something playing.  They have listened to westerns, situation comedies, talk radio, sound effects, and of course lots of music. Yesterday I actually turned the t.v. to face the puppies because a couple of them were sitting there looking up at the television! As their energy dwindles and their playful, typical mouthing and biting comes to an end they will crawl up into my lap. I will cuddle each pup one by one and gently place them back into their box. Timing is critical as I don't want them to wake up for another round of puppy playtime! At least not at midnight.

Pretty soon photographs and memories will replace the reality of 8 weeks of loving, nurturing, and caring for Arrow, Beauty, Carly, Dude, Eclipse, Flint, Ginger, Hawkeye, and Ike.  As surely as every planned breeding we have ever done is special in it's own right, the Jack of Hearts puppies is even more so.  John and I remain in awe. While Jack was alive, he was a frequently used stud dog not only for us but for other breeders who are focused on a close working gundog.  Everyone always knew what to expect and that was especially so with this pairing with Holly.  Yet even at 7 weeks old we felt these puppies exceeded our greatest expectations. I don't believe there was ever a happier litter.

For starters there was only to be 4-5 pups born according to the ultrasound. We know ultrasounds are just to confirm the pregnancy in most cases.  And because this was an artificial surgical insemination using semen frozen 5 years ago, we didn't expect 9 and our reproductive veterinarian were as surprised as we were. Good job JackDog!

We looked for and identified the desired traits in these pups from the very beginning.  Many were obvious such as natural retrieving instincts at 7 weeks of age. ( I believe in crediting the dogs that are behind these pups.  Birch Springs Wish Upon a Star, their great, great grandmother had incredible natural instincts, strong prey drive and more. This paring doubles up on our Wish.)  As the pups grew and matured they just kept getting happier and happier!  All pups get excited and are happy, that shouldn't be unusual at all.  But it was the wiggly butts with waggin tails that got me.  One of Jack's many memorable traits all hunting ability aside was how joyful he always was and how he made others happy. I see this in the pups. With Jack, all you had to do was gently scratch the base of his tail over his butt and he would immediately turn into a gleeful, happy boy!

Note  Miss Beauty's wet left ear as she sits next to Ginger.

Another thing that Jack always did was to suck on the ears of other dogs. Not just get them a little wet, but get them absolutely soaking wet!  It took me awhile to figure out why the hair on the ears of these pups were often drenched but last night the light went on.  I watched in amazement as a couple of the pups gently mouthed the ears of their sleeping littermates.

From the time they are born up until when they go home our puppies benefit from specific  'extra curricular activities'.  For many years we have used the Volhardt's Puppy Aptitude Testing for evaluation of a litter. I have also used the "Super Dog" (early neurological stimulation) which begins at 3 days old for newborn pups. If you're not familiar with this one here's a great article on it www.royalspaniel.com/health-testing/early-neurological-stimulat.html. I also implement many suggestions found in the book "Another Piece of the Puppy Puzzle" by Pat Hastings as well as use her DVD called The Puppy Puzzle." The greatest benefit?  Well, while this utilizes the best possible use of time spent with each and every puppy it also allows for the human/animal bond to become solid. And above all - what could be more fun than hanging with puppies with a purpose?! Oh how I love these baby dogs.

Carly's reaction to a suspended bird wing for visual response.

We wait until after the P.A.T.s to determine puppy selection. From the start we ask puppy families to fall in love with the entire litter, wait until they  meet them in person to give us their top 3 choices.  Following the evaluations and based on what we know about each family we determine the best possible fit.  While it's true any puppy would be a good choice there are also subtle differences in each personality which a breeder is aware of.  We rarely guarantee a specific color or gender but do try very hard to honor someone's preference. This was a busy week. Microchips, PAT's and well puppy exam and first puppy shots. As of yesterday, everyone now knows which puppy they will be bringing home.  No one was disappointed. For the time being, I will enjoy hanging with the puppies and making sure to make the days count while we count down to the first day of the rest of their lives.

As always, take care, God bless, and thank you for your interest in All Things Brittanys.
John, Ann, and our amazing crew

J&A's Brittanys Awestruck

These are but fleeting moments in the overall life of these puppies

I find myself capable of spending hours gazing at them in awe
What words can I use to describe what my eyes are blessed to see
There are none.  So I simply offer glimpses.