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&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

J&A's All Things Puppy Blankets

Aunt Julie's New Puppy Blanket

Pippin and her mother Chrissy 

Do you have a favorite blanket that you enjoy wrapping yourself up in? Perhaps it is special because of the person who gave it to you. Maybe it just makes you feel warm, cozy, and secure. It is familiar and it is yours. Blankets are especially important to toddlers and young children because of the very real comfort it brings. Blankets are special. Some children hold onto just a corner of their blanket well past their toddler years!  And moms, like me, often tuck their own children's baby blankets safely away.  My own is hidden away in a trunk making it a true antique. Think on these things as I share this little story.

I am blessed to have a dear friend who has devoted hours, days, weeks, and even months at a time crocheting blankets.  If you are part of the 'ATB family' you already are familiar with her blankets.  You brought one home with your puppy on the first day of the rest of it's life. In all likelihood still have it. 

Julie crocheting with Sassy's help.

In July 2006 a very special Brittany named J&A's Sassafras Rose Harris was born to our Molly Rose. (Sassy passed away last September at the age of 13, breaking the hearts of all who loved her although we know she had a wonderful life.  Sassy belonged to Julie (and Jim) Harris. She was my Treasure's half sister.)  In between the time Sassy was born and the day she went home, Julie crocheted a beautiful full sized blanket for John and I as a gift. (We did share this with Molly and Rosie on the couch.) At the same time Julie also crocheted an identical one, puppy size, just for Sassy. Shortly after this, Julie crocheted a beautiful jewel toned blanket for Treasure who was just a month older than Sassy.  

Yes, our primary focus as breeders is on a close working gundog.  The genetics are there. Even so the single most important thing that I personally can do to assure a puppy gets the best start possible are the first 8 weeks of life spent here with John and I.  Everything we do leads up to the day when we take the puppy leash and hand it over to their new owners with the goal to make the transition for each puppy as comforting, secure, and trouble free as possible.  Thus the importance of Julie's crocheted puppy blankets. Sassy loved the blanket Julie had made her!  We also enjoyed ours with Molly and Rosie.  I did try in the beginning to keep it special just for humans but that was an epic fail.  Molly especially loved the blanket and in fact, when Molly passed in 2017, she was laid to rest with it. 

It wasn't long before Julie decided to crochet puppy blankets for an entire litter of puppies.  She understood as I understood the importance of the pups needing something familiar to them in their new homes, to ease the transition. The rest as they say, is history!

Mail from Aunt Julie!

If Julie suspects that we may be thinking about breeding again, she thinks about making blankets again.  Suddenly a text message arrives from Julie that says "I've started on blankets!" My response usually is to say "We don't expect you to do this, you know you don't have to! We know you are very busy."  Then she says "shut-up I love you".  And that's the end of the conversation.

One by one blankets either arrive in the mail or she quickly hands me a bag and says "there's another blanket I finished!"  Each blanket is absolutely beautiful and unique.  Julie is creative in her color choices and very particular about the yarn she uses and how a blanket comes together.  I have known her to rip out rows and rows if she doesn't like the way the blanket is coming out.  Julie crochets with a precise tightness and guaging of each stitch to result in a perfectly dense blanket that is safe for a puppy. 

Puppy blanket repair!

Sometimes, if Julie knows ahead of time who a particular puppy is going to, she will actually ask if they have a color preference. She keeps track of every color combination ever used and in every group of blankets crocheted by Julie, are the identical colors and patterns of the dam's puppy blanket, sire as well if she made one for him! She even offers to repair blankets if needed.

I have pictures of Julie at dog shows, field trials, visiting us here and other places where she is sitting with a near finished puppy blanket in her lap. People say they could never find time to do this. Julie works full time and often on the weekends. She is probably the busiest person I have ever known in my life! Still she makes time. Julie has struggled at times with not only arthritic fingers but even a broken finger!  With great affection and love I say "stubbornness is an independent woman of Scottish descent." I can't tell you how many times I have tried to discourage her but it never works. (Last year Julie showed another friend of ours, Christine Longley, how she made the puppy blankets.  Chris soon caught on and her own pups also went home with special blankets.  Chris blessed me by including a beautiful blanket she had made in with those that Julie sent us.) In addition to all that Julie does concerning the puppy blankets there is also a very special method of quality control involved.  Her Brittanys all test each blanket for comfort and coziness as Julie crochets with blanket and Brittany in her lap.  

Jack x Holly Puppy Blankets

Moms are introduced to the puppy blankets well in advance. Once pups arrive and are old enough, we place them one at a time on a blanket to get them use to a different surface and smell.  It's part of their development. We often take pictures with the pups on a blanket. I don't leave a blanket with the pups until they are older but daily they have a chance to crawl on or take naps on them.  When we introduce each young puppy to a crate before going home, there is a blanket in it.  When the pups are getting use to sleeping at night in an open crate I always make sure there are blankets inside. Sometimes the blankets need to be washed of course! When the first day of the rest of their life arrives, each puppy goes home with a gently loved blanket with the familiar scent of littermates and momma. 

Ready for the first day of the rest of their life!

I am convinced that the love that is poured into each and every one of Aunt Julie's beautiful hand crocheted puppy blanket helps reduce anxiety and stress that may be associated with a pup's homecoming.  I am confident that the familiar scent of littermates and mom influences the well being a puppy not just for those first few days home, but possibly for the rest of their life. Even now, my adult dogs favor their puppy blankets! 

These blankets are like a tapestry of love, threads woven together that are strong and resilient. I end with this quote: "And we became stronger, together.  A tapestry of friendship, woven with grace, knotted with mercy and made beautiful through imperfections."

We love you Julie Harris and thank God for the incredible gift of our friendship that began and continues all for the love of the dog, both given and received. Saying thank you just never seems like enough.

. Quincy & Julie, après dog show. 

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

ritory. 

J&A's Brittanys Charting Holly's Temperature

Last week....

This afternoon! (Yellow = watch range)

What an uncomfortable puppy our sweet Holly is.  We continue to spend more time in the whelping room aka puppy cave aka grooming studio.  Brittanys are versatile, so are we.

Almost a week ago I began to monitor Holly's body temperature using a chart I created for that purpose.  Today, as you can see, we've just had our first temperature drop. This initial drop indicates for me it is time to begin to monitor her temp every 12 hours instead of once a day. (I use a thermometer that is specific for veterinary use.) It's also time to watch her much more closely for those ever so subtle signs that 1st stage of labor is drawing near, a stage that lasts about 6-18 hours.

Holly's progesterone level will drop about 48 hours prior to whelping. We are not there yet though.  It most likely will go back up a little bit.  It's important to realize that the temperature drop may or may not be indicative of the actual time pups will arrive. For me though, it's always been pretty darn reliable! My rule of thumb is once her temp drops below 100 and STAYS there, and continues to drop further she will not be left alone.  Today is just the first significant drop so I had to look twice!

Holly soon will be separated completely from the other dogs, we'll do our best to eliminate unnecessary noise and  unexpected visitors (no offense intended). As it approaches and also during the 1st stage of labor it's important for the momma to be kept as calm and to avoid as much stress as possible. She'll be having mild contractions during this stage and her cervix will begin to dilate.

I have my Kindle and my Urbanista charged up so that I can have Pandora playing and my choice of relaxing, calming music is piano solos.  This time we will be using an Adaptil calming collars at the suggestion of one of our vets. I also have lavender essential oil to diffuse as needed. We have our surveillance camera/monitor set up so that we can see and communicate with each other if needed. One of us will always be with her.

I'm still waiting for my order of Calsorb to arrive so in the meantime I will be making a batch of Mother's Nursing Pudding.  Once labor begins and the first puppy arrives we will give Holly calcium. The Calsorb should be here by then but we'll still have the pudding.  John brought home cottage cheese and yogurt too so we'd have it handy. The importance of the calcium can't be taken for granted.  She'll also be given Pedialyte in her water bucket because they lose a lot of electrolytes during the whelping progress.

Stage 1 labor ends and Stage 2 begins when contractions begin to become more forceful and involuntary. The water sack bursts and then momma dog will begin to give birth. Holly's mother and grandmother were considered to be 'easy whelpers'. She has a half sister who followed in their paw-steps so we're hoping Holly will too!

Stage 3 comes when all pups and placentas have been delivered. momma is visibly resting, and her uterus begins to relax.

Don't be worried if there's no communication from us during this upcoming time-frame.  We won't be getting any sleep and life will literally be on hold for us with the exception of 'all things Holly'.

Speaking of which, it's time to cook some more chicken for our girl and make a batch of nursing mother's pudding to have on hand.  Stay tuned!  This is the hurry up and wait phase.

Dear Lord please be merciful as Holly approaches the birth of her first litter. We thank you for your faithfulness to watch over and protect all that concerns us in Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

As always, take care and God bless and thanks for your interest. It means a lot!  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

PS Our waiting list is nearly full, there's still some availability though! Thank you to those who have confirmed with us this weekend and to those who have referred people to us.  But mostly I thank God for causing our paths to cross.  I am looking forward to this expansion of the ATB Family as we approach with great excitement the arrival of the 4th generation of J&A's Brittanys. Yes I am excited and proud :)

J&A's Brittanys - Holly's X-ray Images

Holly's x-rays taken today.  Her ultrasound showed 7-8.  

Today we counted more!

J&A's Brittanys 7 Weeks & Counting

Holly is approaching her 7th week of pregnancy.  Soon, we will begin to take her temperature daily and do that for about a week.  A dogs normal temperature typically is between 101 and 102.5 but usually it will drop below 100 as labor approaches. We'll monitor Holly's temperature more frequently as her due date gets closer and record it on a chart.  Sometimes temps will fluctuate a few times, but when it drops below 100 and stays there, and continues to drop further we know we can expect to see puppies born within a certain time frame.  There are other signs that take place of course and we will be watching for them all!

Holly has become especially fond of her belly rubs lately.  Maryann sent me a picture of Miss Toph also obviously enjoying them too.  Yesterday, as I was obliging Holly I noticed that the hair on her tummy has started to shed.  It will continue to do so, leaving a hairless belly which makes it easier for her puppies to make their way to nurse. And speaking of puppies, they are ever so subtly making their presence known under the lightest touch of my hand. 

The 'puppy cave' is almost fully prepared. Each night I spend about an hour there with Holly, her mother Treasure, and grandmother Pippin. They all lay down together on the quilts and blankets. Holly seems to look forward to this at the end of the day.  She's very big now and even has a little waddle to her walk! 

I have been enjoying the correspondence with those who will be joining our ATB family.  If the estimate given for the number of Bullet and Holly puppies is accurate, then this litter is fully reserved. We do still have puppy availability for Toph and True's litter but that window is closing too.

We will bring her back for an actual x-ray closer to her due date. This will help us to determine when she has actually finished whelping her last puppy.  When Treasure whelped the litter Holly was born into (sired by Hemi) we thought her mother was finished.  Our vet stopped by the next day and suggested we bring Treasure in for an x-ray.  We did and were shocked to learn she still was carrying one puppy. No one expected that it could still be alive but a c-section proved us all wrong and one beautiful little healthy boy puppy arrived! Thus the importance of the x-ray.

In the meantime, I learned that my sister fell and fractured a hip and underwent an emergency partial hip transplant!  She is in rehab now.  I would covet and appreciate your ongoing prayers for her, for my nephew as he fights cancer, and 

 also for our son, daughter in law, and grandson who are on a Missions Trip to Ghana, Africa. 

As my dad use to say 'today is yesterday's tomorrow' and the clock just struck midnight!  Time to wrap it up.  Take care and God bless you and yours always. Thanks for your interest.  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

J&A's Brittany's Holly's 6th week

Countdown - 18 Days!

As the collage above shows, Holly is beginning to 'pop' and evidence of her advancing pregnancy shows more each day.  When she lays down on the floor she does what I consider the telltale pregnancy stretch where one back leg extends way out behind the rest of her body. And boy does she love to have her belly gently rubbed!

Holly's appetite is back to normal although she still enjoys some cooked, shredded chicken as a dressing on top of her regular dog food.  This coming week (week 6) we will begin the switch to a puppy food formula. This way she'll be receiving an extra boost of nutrients resulting in a higher amount of energy and protein which is so important at this stage of pregnancy. It'll also help assure that puppies will be healthy.  There are 'all-stage' adult formulas but we have been successful through the years with the switch to puppy food. We'll also increase the total daily amount of food while spreading smaller meals out throughout the day. As puppies grow and develop they obviously take up more space so smaller, more frequent meals are desirable to momma dog.

In a similar way, Maryann told me this past week that Toph had been refusing her food. We talked about ways to help get through this stage and evidently it is cooked, ground beef that Holly's half-sister prefers. She has an ultrasound scheduled soon although I do not expect any surprises.  Ultrasounds are not routine for us but, all things considered over the past 4 years,  early confirmation of pregnancies is warranted this time around!

John judged a field trial this weekend so I worked on pulling the puppy room together.  The room itself has come together so nicely but then again I knew it would.  At one point Holly came in and lay down on a quilt.  Shortly afterwards, Pippin walked in and joined Holly. It was the cutest thing.  Hemi also came to investigate how things were coming along as well as her Treasure.  I sanitized all the bowls and dishes for Holly and her pups and did one big wash of all our puppy 'linen'. My clothes line is currently airing newly washed and disinfected puppy towels etc. and they smell so good! We are getting there.

So that's my exciting blog update for now.  I should have some more news at the beginning of next week to share.  In the meantime, my requests for prayer continue for my dear nephew whose battle against cancer has taken a new turn.  Take care and God bless, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

J&A's Brittanys First Glimpse

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Our hopes were realized this morning. Holly's ultrasound shows 7+ puppies with healthy heartbeats.  Due @June 23.  Julie, John, and I are very happy. Here's a first glimpse of the puppies below.  We covet your prayers as Holly's journey to a safe, and uneventful pregnancy and whelping of healthy pups continues.

J&A's Brittanys Keep Calm and ....

Although I was very young when my parents were breeders of Boston Terriers, there are things I can still remember.  I also have my dad's whelping journal.  In 1990 John and I bred our first litter so one might think by now I'd be pretty adept at calling a pregnancy.  Alas dear followers, that is not the case!

Holly is now 4 weeks post breeding.  (Toph is 2 weeks.) Gestation takes 9 weeks so good grief and golly gee we are just about half-way!  We cannot be sure of the EXACT day Holly ovulated but we do know that pups are born 63 after a dog ovulates, or drops her eggs. Bet you didn't think you'd be getting a little biology lesson here.

Because of hormones, after a heat ends a dog that has not been bred may actually demonstrate or go through some of the same things a pregnant dog will. Sometimes they will even go through a false pregnancy, their teats will fill with milk, they'll nest and seek dark spaces and sometimes they'll carry and 'mother' toys as if they were puppies.  Despite knowing these things happen, I'm going to continue to remain extremely hopeful!

One of the first things to take place in a pregnant dog is a change in her nipples.  They may become just a little bit more prominent and darker in color. Sometimes too, even though the heat has ended, in a pregnant dog the slightest, clear discharge may remain.  Both of these things are true about Holly.

Almost from the first week Holly's behavior and demeanor has been so different. She has chosen, almost from Week 1, to retire to her crate and rest there most of the day when she's inside.  With the exception of how very excited she gets about John's every move, there is less of this now.  She seems to really prefer spending long periods of time sleeping in her crate, her den.  Instead of being one of the first dogs to come around when it is mealtime, Holly is often no where to be seen. It's as if the smell of food is offensive to her. This past week it has been especially challenging to get Holly to eat her regular food despite putting cheese, fish oil, bits of steak etc. in it to entice her. But today when getting the dog dishes ready Holly actually tucked her tail between her legs and headed in the opposite direction, remaining once again in her crate.

Holly did this yesterday for both her breakfast and for her dinner so she absolutely needed to eat something.   I cooked a boneless chicken breast in the microwave for her, mixing in some brown rice and a little chicken broth. Lo and behold Miss Holly Beth came running from the other room. Clearly she thought whatever I was cooking smelled good enough to eat. And that is what she did! Not just one serving, but two leaving me very, very happy.

As I mentioned previously, there's times I really think her rib cage has sprung. Like first thing this morning.  As Holly went out the door I glanced quickly at her and noticed a slightly expanded rib cage.  She hadn't had breakfast yet. Her 'tuck up' is still obvious, her waistline has not expanded. But that rib cage...

Once again this morning while setting out the dishes to feed our crew Holly was no where to be seen. I measured out each portion of dog food the sound of which caused a gathering of hungry and well behaved Brittanys. I fed them yet still no Holly.  I looked in the other room and caught sight of her laying in the very back of her crate. Without any fanfare I prepared the chicken dish again and popped it in the microwave briefly. I took it out, set it on the counter to cool and walked away.  Guess who came running and happily ate the meal prepared for her. Even if it meant hand feeding the last few spoonfuls.

Another interesting observation is her selective interaction with me.  If I'm sitting down on the couch Holly may suddenly appear next to me and then look deeply into my eyes.  She usually waits for an invitation to jump up next to me. She (and the others) know I am not a fan of uninvited jump ups and will respect that most of the time.  Happily, I will signal to Holly and up she goes, leans into me (we call that hugging) and snuggles.  John can ask Holly to give hugs, give kisses and she will oblige!  She'll stay with me for a little while and then, interestingly enough, she will then go sprawl out and on my bed for awhile.

There's going to be an ultrasound taken. And we are going to confirm Holly's pregnancy. I will not only "keep calm and wait for results'' like the meme above declares but more importantly I will put Proverbs 3:5 into action:

Stay tuned. Thank you for following along with us. As always, take care and God bless and join us with all faith believing that we'll see the evidence of things hoped for  - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany 

J&A's Brittanys Moment of Truth Cometh

Holly Beth - is she or isn't she???

As they say, "patience, young grasshopper."  Not that I'm impatient.  There's no irritability involved, no restlessness, no sense of rushing which are all signs of impatience. It is just so hard to think about anything else in this excitement of waiting to confirm first Holly's and then Toph's pregnancy!

When we first bred Holly and then Toph, all the wonderful possible outcomes nearly consumed my thoughts.  This is understandable because it's been 4 years since we've had puppies!  

Holly is just about 4 weeks along.  I can look at her in one moment and say 'yeah, you are definitely going to have puppies' and the next minute I am a doubting Thomas about it!  Friends of ours bred their first litter this past spring and we'd often talk about this unknowing from one day to the next.  Then, on the day of her dog's ultrasound there was a happy, happy, joy, joy phone call from the vets confirming there were puppies and we were so happy for our friends.

Our plans are to have an ultrasound next week. As we get closer to the moment of truth with Holly Beth I'm hopeful the results will be what my heart desires. Although it's my nature to be optimistic and positive it is my Christian faith that sustains that ability.  The only way I can truly distract myself and avoid being anxious is to turn to my Bible for guidance. So that's what I did. In doing so I quickly found 15 verses beginning with  'Do not be anxious ...'  and including an exhortation to trust in the Lord. (Back to basics, Ann. Back to basics.) Time for a little personal declaration:

"I will be anxious for NOTHING! I'm making a decision not to worry.  In every thing that concerns me, through prayers and petitions to the Lord I will make my requests, my desires known to Him.  Because I delight myself in Him, His Word promises to give me the desires of my heart. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards my heart and my thoughts in Christ Jesus. I commit my way to the Lord, I also trust in Him..."Paraphrase Philippeans 4:6,7 and Psalm 37:4 

Ann & Billy

By the way, this declaration isn't just about the dogs.  It is about ALL THINGS that matter to me.  And tonight, that includes the concern in my heart for my nephew Billy who is fighting hard against cancer. We'd appreciate your prayers.

Stay tuned. Take care and God bless. John, Ann, Holly Beth and All Things Brittanys.