J&A's Our Heart Aches

Really something special. 

A favorite toy, Julie kept an extra bunny-bun here at our house for Thistle to enjoy when she was visiting. 

GCH CH J&A's SISTERS OF THE HEART JH, FD

"Thistle"

May 10, 2011 - September 21, 2018

It was the same kind of phone call that I'd received on May 2, 2007 when the specialist called to tell me 2 year old Timberdoodle had died on the operating table.  Surreal was the only word that comes to mind. On that day I dropped to my knees in my kitchen floor as the words were uttered and sounds of sobbing came from me that I couldn't even recognize. 

On Friday September 21, 2018 it was that kind of call again.  Only this time it was coming from the one who is truly my sister of my heart and John was the one who'd answered the phone.  I saw him coming around the corner of the porch outside.  His face was one of shock and he was in tears. I KNEW something was terribly wrong. He reached to me and I drew closer and in his initial grief he was innocently giving me wrong information, information which was bad enough in itself. Information which caused me to begin to cry uncontrollably as well.  That's how it is when what you have loved deeply suddenly is ripped from you. Human or animal - grief is grief. 

I listened closely trying to make out the actual conversation on the other end from Julie. And suddenly I realized what she was saying. Which was much worse than what I 'thought' I'd heard, although that, as I said before, was certainly bad enough.

John passed the phone to me and I crumbled on the front porch steps, sobbing, howling, crying and the tears fell fiercely and uncontrollably. Pippin was drawing near to me in a manner in which she had never done before.  Could she know? How could she POSSIBLY know? It was her daughter, her beautiful amazing bouncy fun-loving unpredictable intelligent athletic gentle sweet daughter, her Thistle that Julie was telling me about.  And as I reacted to the awful news then Hemi who is Thistle's twin, came and sat next to his mother on the step that I had fallen upon.  John held me as I cried, we listened to Julie and then he had to walk away it was so hard to believe.  I was left on the steps with Pippin and Hemi; Julie and I were sobbing into the phone incoherently. I don't remember what we said if we said anything.  Together our hearts were breaking, they were shattering into a million pieces and our minds were trying so hard to grasp the reality of the news she had received, the news that Julie nor I could have anticipated hearing. 

There is more to say.  I just have no ability to put what I'm feeling now or what I have been feeling into words since Friday.  John and I had to leave for a field trial in Connecticut where he was judging and running Holly (Thistle's niece). The dogs were all loaded.  So while I physically was traveling to a destination we'd planned well for, my heart was longing to travel to be with Julie, my sister of the heart. (Thistle's registered AKC name reflects the friendship we share, a friendship birthed through the mutual love of God and of Brittanys.  A friendship that has grown stronger through several personal life changing experiences including the death of Julie's husband and our friend, Jim.)

Thistle lived with and was loved, cared for by Julie.  I'm co-owner in name only but I am her breeder. I held her first, I was with her when she took her first breath of air, I nourished her, I raised her and I decided that the best person in the world to have this little gift of a Brittany should be Julie. And the best way to describe my reasoning will be to read this blog written by Julie called "How a Brittany Named Thistle Saved My Life." Thistle lived her life to the fullest and I was one of her biggest fans! It was only a couple of weekends ago that Thistle was here and her eyes were bright, she was playful, and oh so very, very happy! So healthy and vibrant. So, so THISTLE!

I spent 3 days in Connecticut at Flaherty Field Trial Grounds with John and most of our Brittanys. Including my puppy Revere. There were a few in the Brittany community who had heard what happened to Thistle and I was VERY appreciative of their support and understanding.  We also had a wonderful visit with several of our ATB family including those who brought along Revere's littermate.  Then I was so happy to see Dawn who brought Miss Bailey (Pippin's half sister).  I was thankful for the genuine love and friendship extended from them all. John was very busy all weekend which was a good thing. And when I wasn't visiting or walking a dog, my grief overwhelmed me. I spent a lot of the time texting about Thistle and thinking of Julie who was up to her camp. Then we had a very good friend who fell off a horse at the field trial who had to go to the hospital. I was worried about her but thankful her injuries were not worse than they were. 

Today Julie and I have touched base a little bit. My heart aches for what she is going through. I feel it too, I feel for her and I feel our own sense of loss here.  Even though Thistle did not live with me, she was always part of me.  She was special from the very beginning. There's a video out there somewhere that I made and I'm singing a song to her when she's like 5 weeks old saying how special she was. Thistle spent plenty of time here with us.  We both absolutely adored her and we both enjoyed every moment with her. 

I could share a lot about Miss Thistle the Pistol.  A gazillion photographs are at my fingertips.  Here's a favorite taken at the dog show where Julie had her on the grooming table and I walked over for a sweet Thistle kiss. There's one where Thistle and Hemi cooperated along with Treasure to dig a humongous hole in the banking here. Videos featuring Thistle in many notable moments, and some hilariously funny! When I think of Thistle the memory is going to bring a smile to my face, eventually anyway. Like when she earned her nickname swirling dervish by launching herself across the room at Julie and I while we were drinking red wine which ended up splattered across the wall. 

Fast forward to this moment in time.  The pain in my heart is almost unbearable. I don't have anything inspirational to share. Please pray for Julie, for John, for me.  

On Behalf of Thistle is a blogpost that shares a little bit more and also includes links. 

A sad bunny-bun...

(See the unedited video of THISTLES CHAMPIONSHIP JOURNEY)

WILSON - AKC Senior Hunter / Accomplishments

Our newest AKC SENIOR HUNTER

CH J&A's QUIET COURAGE SH, NA 107 PRIZE 1

Sire: CH J&As High Caliber Harris Special SH

Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton JH

In our previous post I shared that John and I had the pleasure of watching both Bullet and Wilson working at the New York hunt tests with Kira handling Wilson to his first Senior Hunter leg. He finished the title with Dave Molyneux handling him. I heard it was a "performance one would expect out of a Master Hunter." Thank you so much to his owners and our friends Pete Sipperly and Kira Lajeunesse for recognizing all the potential and ability within Wilson and giving him every opportunity to shine.  We're also proud to share the news that his daughter (with Pippin) "Ellie" has been working towards her AKC Junior Hunter title this fall in New Jersey.  Just shy of her first birthday J&A's Desire of the Heart met is halfway to her JH title.  Congratulations to her owners Stan & Linda. Wilson & Pippins daughters Belle and Brooke are also half way to their titles.  (Wilson is available for stud service to approved bitches.)

John and I continued to be very busy following our New York trip (see prior blog-post). Knowing it was a matter of time before my right knee gave out I tried to do as much as I possibly could.  We took a day trip to Smithfield Maine for Sebasticook Chapter of NAVHDA's fall tests. We met Maryann, Ayden and Toph there who was testing for her Natural Ability title. Toph is out of Hemi & Luna. She earned an impressive Prize 1 score with Maryann handling her.  It was Maryann's birthday and her husband surprised her by driving up from Connecticut where he'd been working. We had an impromptu birthday party and cake much to her charging.  David then presented her with her birthday present, a brand new shotgun!  Several of Toph's littermates were also tested by their breeder (and our friend!) Philip Thayer, Jr. of Birch Spring Brittanys. They ALL earned their Natural Ability titles!

The next weekend was divided between hunt tests and field trials.  Toph ran in her first field trial, and placed 2nd out of 7 in Amateur Derby with Maryann handling. Proud mom here.

Thistle gets a shout out too!  Julie handled her to a first place Walking Hunting Dog.  After all Thistle has been through we just have to thank God she's back to being Thistle the Pistol for sure. Way to go Julie!

The very next day Maryann and I headed to Hopkinton where Toph successfully finished her AKC Junior Hunter title with Maryann handling!  That particular hunt test weekend is one of my absolute favorites. It is often like an ATB family reunion.  Over the two days there were about 10 or maybe even more Brittany dogs there that are from or related to our line. Talk about being proud. We all just have so much fun, arriving with our E-Z ups, coolers, dog paraphernalia, and more. I like sharing these times with John, our daughter, our friends.

Such a really fun atmosphere no matter what plus we enjoy everything being with the Northern New England Brittany Club where Maryann, John, and I are members.  Ammo, Dory, and Charlee from Bullet & Thistle's pups tested that weekend with Miss Charlee earning her JH title.  Zuko earned his at 6 months old. Quincy is still working towards his. That will make 5 pups from that litter with a JH title - and it will also earn Julie the AKC Breeder Award of Merit.   Bullet's full brother Lil Jack earned his 3rd leg towards his JH title. He's a really nice boy.  His owners bring him out for the event once a year, they are really lovely people!  I may have mentioned it already but several pups from Hemi & Lunas litter also finished their AKC Junior Hunter titles that weekend. Also, Parker and "Rocky" are working towards his Senior Hunter title and doing very well. Rocky, sired by Jack is out of Merrymeeting Brittanys.  They were all there on Saturday and did very well, Littermates Rockstar Rocky (Bullet and Brandy) and Argos also finished their titles.  It's all about the hunting for us, and we love to encourage owners to get involved with hunt tests because it's a lot of fun and so rewarding especially just before the real deal of bird hunting season. "Woo hoo" let's hear it for our close working gundogs and their owners who support our program!! If you're reading this and have never tried hunt tests think about joining us in the spring 2015, I'd be happy to give you more info about them, especially the April tests in Kennebunk, Me. In the meantime everyone keep up the good work, we are so proud of you all.

I'm proud to say that we have two handsome boys from Bullet & Thistle's litter knocking on the door of their AKC Championship title. Previously I shared Quincy's photo from the Union Me. dog shows when he won Best of Breed.  Ammo has had some success recently as well with two back to back Best of Winners and he is pictured here. (Their brother and littermate Zuko has had limited showing due to my 10 year old granddaughters very busy schedule of Karate & Judo. She recently earned her Black Belt way to go ALana!)  And thank you Roger & Marilyn for doing so much with Ammo and also Miss Ruby.

This picture is Wynne's show debut!  She won Best Puppy in Specialty at the Iowa Brittany Club show.  She is Tophs full sister from Hemi & Luna's litter and also has two second place field trial wins in the Midwest. Shown here with her owners Kendall & Carol Brown. (Due to the busy and hectic schedule of a young family of 5, sister Toph has yet to make her show debut. Still, we are making plans for 2016 and I really look forward to seeing her and Maryann together in the ring.)   

Speaking of pups we do have some very nice breeding plans which we hope to announce soon.  In addition to our own plans, the services of our boys have been requested. We're also looking ahead to 2017.  I would like to encourage you to privately confirm with me now your level of interest as we are getting inquiries every single day.  Our goal is to have a potential litter reserved well in advance of a breeding. We ask for deposits once the breeding occurs.  Prior to that we accept inquiries without commitments and screen for the absolute best possible fit for pups. Of course all health clearances will be in place before a breeding occurs and all official documents and papers are provided well in advance. It's all explained in our puppy reservation policy booklet. I've not had a chance to respond to everyone, please be patient.  And for those generic inquiries who are just contacting every breeder with a web page it's unlikely you'll hear back from us. Sorry about that.

 Bird Hunting! Believe it or not John and I actually got away together with ALL of our dogs.  We have a beautiful new camper which we took to Moosehead Lake for a whole week at the end of October.  Greenville Maine is one of my favorite places in the whole world and it was perfect.  With the help of the dog topper and then converting one of the rooms in the camper for crates it all worked out.  We camped at Lily Bay and had no neighbors whatsoever so the dogs could be off leash a lot of the time. I greatly enjoyed walking through the campsites with them but unfortunately as the week went on my knee just kept getting worse and I could barely walk even with using a cane.  We did get Holly onto some wild birds for the first time ever, she did great finding them.  Even our most senior dogs enjoyed themselves, it made my heart so happy to see them. We know with some of them time is of the essence. It was warm enough for splashing and playing in the water so all of the dogs had a blast running free at Jewetts Cove without any restrictions on them or worries on our part. I am looking forward to many more adventures with our new camper not only hunting, but also at future dog events.

So, it is one month since surgery.  I am going to out patient rehab twice a week now. My flexion was 114 when my physical therapist last measured me.  I can ride the recumbent bike for about 10 minutes.  I'm walking mostly without a cane.  This is a challenging recovery which I sure know from last year. But worth it. When I'm not doing exercises or therapy the rest of my time I am sitting with my leg elevated and my knee iced. I cannot sleep at night so my days are pretty messed up.  Pain is being managed.  I know that I will get out of this what I put into it. When they say expect a full year to recover there is a reason.

As spring ended I was back in the field again with John and the dogs.  Enjoyed the brief reprise from knee pain right through to the fall. It was so awesome to be out there again with my dogs and I really enjoyed the time with John and especially Maryann. Yet, despite the fact it's all come to an end for now, I enjoy the solitude and chance to further contemplate what the future has in store as far as J&A's Brittanys goes. I believe we have been true to keep the program focused on what we always wanted it to be and are readily identified and known primarily for having close working gun dogs. Everything else is frosting on the cake. From what I see I continue to be convinced that the best is yet to come.

Hard to believe it's Christmas. It will be low key this year.  We did enjoy a nice Thanksgiving here with all of Maryann's family, John's sister's family, and David's mom from England too. John took care of things beginning to end, it was just one week after surgery I could not do much.

In closing, please keep the Blackadar family in prayer.  Their beloved Brittany "Henry" was killed instantly this week when hit by a car. We all feel the grief, pain, and terrible sense of loss. There are times where there is no rhyme or reason when no matter how careful we are or what precautions are in place an accident still happens that is out of our control.

That sort of catches us up! We've really had a great year on many levels. Once I actually wrote everything out I realized quite a lot has been accomplished. As always take care and thanks for your interest in All Things Brittanys - God bless you and yours....I've got several Brittanys offering their therapeutic presence to me this night.  Good thing it's a king size bed.

ATB: Way to Show, Ammo ! first points!

UPDATE:  Ammo has been shown by Roger in a lot of shows in the New England area and beyond.  We were very proud to have him represent our breeding program in Florida during the American Brittany Club Futurity Show, January 2016.  Ammo won 1st Place Senior Dog!!!  Love Ammo and love his amazing family too.

John and I are so blessed by the deep bonds of friendship that develop as a result of the mutual love of Brittany dogs with those who are in the ATB family, extended or otherwise.  There is usually a wonderful story behind the way someone discovers us and the story of how Roger & Marilyn came into our life is no exception. We had communicated at great length for months before the best time for them to get a puppy was determined.  They had shared their heart and home with a beautiful Brittany named "Belle" and were grieving her passing. As it would eventually work out, it was another beautiful girl by the name of "Ruby" who would join their family, a family by the way who I am so thankful is part of our life. I could go on at great length about our special first time visit, about meeting their adult children, about how Marilyn actually catered a nice lunch for us to all enjoy together including the ever refreshing "Ruby Rose Ice Tea".  I could share how we sat on the grass in the back yard with all the Scooby & Molly pups from the "MEGA" litter in 2011 playing and trying to help them decide on which would be the best fit.  I will always remember the day that Ruby went home with her new family on the first day of the rest of her life for several reasons including how baby Hemi (Chevy/Pippin) puppy got stuck in the culvert under our driveway!  Sylvia, their friend from Paris, was visiting with them and fortunately heard him crying.  While that all makes for a delightful story evoking the best of memories there is more to tell here today.

I discovered Roger and Marilyn seem to like surprising John and me.  This was first realized on the occasion of Ruby's hunt test involvement.  (I have blogged about this previously in detail including pictures of the lovely Ruby. By the way, Ruby has this unique marking on her chest which I've always felt was a ruby pendant. Much was written about the Mega litter and is found in the April 2011 archives and beyond.) I knew they had become involved with Central New England Brittany Club but not to what extent.  Unbeknownst to me Ruby had been in training for testing for her AKC Junior Hunter title. When I found out about that - I was overjoyed as we had no idea.

And this spring I had no idea either that "Ammo" (Bullet x Thistle son from the "Only Believe" litter) was participating in conformation classes.  Roger and Marilyn surprised me with their news and said they were going to enter him in the American Brittany Club Summer Specialty Show which the Maine club was hosting. Not only that but Roger would be handling Ammo! (see pictures)

Just as surely as time was spent in planning and preparing for Ruby's arrival into their family so it was with Ammo too. A lot of things came into consideration and much discussion took place.  The possibility of showing their next pup was discussed too but John and I are not breeders who will insist, not even when a pup with obvious show 'potential' is noted.  Of course in my heart of hearts I always hope that an owner with a show quality pup will give it a try and such was the case with Ammo. I knew two of his brothers would be shown and had really hoped that a sister or two might but that was not meant to be.  (Showing is important as it helps assure us that our program is indeed adhering to the breed standard. If a dog is not structurally sound it cannot perform the job it was intended to do, in this case hunt birds. There are more Dual Champion Brittanys than any other sporting breed combined.)

So, about a month or so before the Summer Specialty Marilyn totally surprised me and made my day with the news about Ammo being shown.  I couldn't wait.  And it was just awesome to see Ammo and Roger in the ring together, what a team! As if that was not awesome enough, seeing 3 of Bullet & Thistle's sons lined up together made me so proud.  Ammo won his first blue ribbon during the Maine shows and other placements.

 When it comes to showing dogs, truly you lose more than you win.  And the adage of different judge, different day rings true.  But if you have a nice dog to show and want to show them the best thing to do is get out there and just do it!  Roger and Marilyn have embraced this and I admire them for this, especially because it is all brand new to them and to Ammo.

 I touched base with Marilyn recently and learned Roger would be showing Ammo at an upcoming show.  It was to be an early ring time so I checked in to see how things went and the news back was AWESOME!!

Roger showed Ammo in the "Open Dog" class and not only won first place in that class of 5 really nice dogs but also earned his first two AKC championship points towards his title!!  He went "Winners  Dog" and I could not be prouder or happier for Ammo and his family.  This shout out is well deserved and I'm happy to share it here. Way to show! As always, God bless you and yours!  John, Ann, and ATB.

Wachusetts Kennel Club Results Link

ATB: Breed Standards & Plumb Lines

There is a Facebook page called "Coffee Break With God".  I'm blogging this morning with that in mind.

60 is the new 50 or is it the new 40?   All I know is that when I gaze into the mirror the eyes looking back at me are for the most part very happy, peaceful, and content eyes.  They are brown like those of my mother and my father who have both been gone for many years now.  And those brown eyes love looking into the beautiful blue eyes of the man who I have spent over 40 years of my life with.

 Is silver gray the new black? I gave up coloring my hair about 10 years ago for good. I am often told by others they are thinking about doing the same thing but they don't think they would have the same depth of color, or that my color gray is so pretty and while they like how it looks on me, they couldn't do it.  Another friend insists on calling me a silver fox which makes me laugh! Some days when I look at my reflection in the mirror I feel the gray makes me look very tired and drawn out.  But there are other times it almost seems to illuminate my face.  Despite how often I may say "I think I'm going to color my gray again" I have yet to reach for the bottle again.

Are Browning hunting boots or LL Bean Mary-Janes the new high heel shoe? They are for me. I've never been one to collect endless pairs of shoes. (Okay stop right there.  Proper grammar check.  endless PAIRS or endless PAIR?  Anyone?) I prefer actually to walk barefoot year round.  And I have ugly feet.  Yes.  A childhood friend once told me the 16 year old 'me' that my toes reminded her of a scene featuring the aliens from the movie "War of The Worlds".  My mother wore a size 10 shoe. So does my sister. Many women in our family wear a 9 or a 10.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, despite not being an avid collector of footwear I did grieve and do lament the fact that since total knee replacement I can no longer wear any shoes with a heel.  Not that I wore them a lot but at least I had the option. Recently I recycled and tossed 4 pair of high heel shoes including a pair of true spike high heels. And despite having ugly feet at least I still can wear sandals and am not limited to wearing practical walking shoes.

You have to have a sense of humor about birthdays and advancing years.  Even about your own limitations.  Taking yourself too seriously can be hazardous to your health.  Letting little things add up can also have the same effect.  I am learning that you just have to let go of them.  Sometimes that's not too difficult when it comes to forgetting things.  Wouldn't it be nice if those things that were most likely to disrupt our peace of mind were also the things that were the most easiest to forget and with little effort?