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&A's Brittanys: The "Autumn's Treasures" Puppies

OLY - "Son-of-A-Gunn JH"

and

HOLLY BETH - "J&A's Carry the Dream of Acton JH, NA 110 Prize 1

AUTUMN'S TREASURES

 

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. 

J&A's Brittanys A New Journey Begins

Current Mood: Happy Dance!

I read a quote which said our journey in life is delightful when traveled with a dog.  I completely agree, especially today.  I am so very happy to say that Holly Beth has been successfully bred with Oly! 

If all goes well, Oly and Holly puppies will arrive around September 18th, which is our daughter's birthday. We will have hopeful anticipation with all faith believing, praying as we wait and including an ultrasound at the appropriate time to confirm pregnancy. 

I want to share again about Oly and the breeding behind him. While for the most part the lineage behind Oly is new to our program it is definitely not unknown and includes a line breeding on 32X NSTRA and 6X American Field Champion Nolan's Last Bullet.  

Pronounced "Oh-lee" this handsome orange and white Brittany is loved and owned by Morris and Monica Pollard. Oly shares his home with another Brittany named Gracie who finished her AKC Field Championship title last year! John and Mo (Oly's owner) are friends who have hunted, trained, tested, and trialed together. We know Oly personally. He's a sweet boy and very handsome as you can see from the photos I posted in the prior post last week.

Pippin still has this puppy blanket.

Our dear friend Julie Harris has had the pleasure of grooming Oly from time to time. Speaking of Julie, we had a long overdue visit with each other recently. It was so good to see her.  And wouldn't you know, she's already crocheting puppy blankets! Holly Beth loves her Aunt Julie and actually lived with her for awhile when I had my first knee replacement surgery. 

Oly is an outstanding medium range bird dog. Titled as an AKC Junior Hunter, he's spent the last five falls in the north Maine woods hunting upland birds, specializing in grouse. His owner Mo is a Maine State Guide who has successfully guided numerous bird hunters in various bird covers in the Rangely, Maine area. Last fall alone Oly had over 225 grouse finds of which hunters shot over 85 birds.  Oly is a strong, well conditioned, biddable dog who can be counted upon to hunt 6 days a week during the hunting season.  He has an exceptional nose for grouse and staunchly points with intensity. 

Oly's sire is NGDC/NACDC/VC/AFC Peter Gunn and recognized as "one of the most talented and decorated, well rounded bird-dogs the Brittany Breed has to offer with an outstanding lineage of highly talented and proven dogs."  Pete made Brittany history as being the only dog to hold both the National Open and National Amateur Gun Dog Championship titles.  He was also awarded the National 2010 Magnum's Masked Man award for having the highest amount of gun dog field trial wins/points of any dog in the country. 

Oly's dam, Sling Blade's Trade, is a level headed, moderate range gun dog with an incredible amount of bird drive and hunting instinct.  Sling Blade's Trade is sired by the renowned American Field Champion, 15X NSTRA CH Beeline Bullet's Bravado (Brave) a son of the afore mentioned 32X NSTRA CH, 3X Grand National CH, Nestle Purina Dog of the Year 2003 and 6X American Field Champion Nolan's Last Bullet (Buddy)! 

AVAILABILITY

At this point there is very limited availability, if any. I'm still waiting on a couple of confirmations. Otherwise this litter is fully reserved with families who currently have or have had a J&A's Brittany. They are privately updated via email prior to anything being shared publicly. Several on this list have been waiting for well over a year for their next puppy!  (Love our ATB family) It's possible once pregnancy is confirmed and when number of pups are known that there will be some availability. 

There is a litter of pups sired by Hemi due within the next two weeks in the Fryeburg Maine area. We are referring qualified inquiries to the breeders.  

Additionally, there will be a repeat breeding at the end of the year of True and Toph. We our building a waiting list now. 

Please reach out to us through our website at www.mainebrittanysitejas.com   

Stay tuned! Thank you for your interest in All Things Brittanys.  Take care and as always God bless you and yours - John, Ann, and our wonderful crew. 

Loving Tribute to My Rosebud

They say your dog will give you your happiest days, and one of your worst.  And it's true....

I remember her birth well. Early in the morning of April 2, 2005, Molly gave birth to her first litter of 5 beautiful Brittany puppies. Rosie was the first one born, and she arrived in much the same way her entire life was lived - unpredictable, fast, and non-traditional. Molly, who had labored intensely, suddenly jumped out of the whelping box and with one huge push expelled a puppy! Rosie was suspended in mid-air, hanging several inches out of her mother by her umbilical cord and still encased in placenta! A second push plopped Rosie out onto the floor. I acted quickly and gently cradled Rosie (still attached) so that her hanging weight would not cause undue stress on either mom or pup, reached for the blunt scissors and gently severed the cord at the proper distance. Coaxing Molly back to her whelping box I held Rosie's face to Molly's mouth and nose in hopes of maternal instinct kicking in. Sure enough it did and Molly gently bit away and licked at the remaining placenta that held Rosie captive. I let out a gasp of relief. From that day on until Molly’s passing 2 summers ago, Rosie and her mother were inseparable. (To the best of my knowledge, Rosie was the soul surviving puppy. Her siblings were Boomer, Crystal, Roscoe, and Benny Jack.)

Our little "Rosie" stood out to us from the start and quickly demonstrated for all the world to see that she was highly intelligent, independent, inquisitive, energetic and extremely loving and affectionate. (The entire litter exhibited these characteristics which was no surprise. Rosies sire "Tunk" was Frank Prides field dog, out of his prized Buschman line. Her mother "Molly" also carried the lines of "Rimarda's Trademark", "County Lawyer" and Renegades Double Stuff.) In the litter, Rosie was intent on making sure our eyes fell on her first and remained fixed on her - which was very easy to do given her charm and personality!

Miss Rosie did march to a different drummer as young as 4 weeks old. Remembering advice from Frank Pride about observing very young pups I knew she had the right stuff. While the rest of the pups were busy with each other or with their mother, Miss Rosie was all about exploring every nook and cranny that she could possible reach. In the beginning we were going to call her J&A's April Rose (being born in April). But when her personality began to emerge we saw what reminded us of the Ever Ready Energizer Bunny because she kept going and going and going! Her name became J&A's Ever Ready Rose. And she has always been EVER READY.

Fate was not kind to Rose though and she ended up being a Brittany with special needs. We loved her from the start and never regretted our choice to keep her. Although Rose was spayed and never bred she was a wonderful surrogate 'big sister' to many of our pups through the years. Rose was definitely high maintenance, needy, and tended to get anxious. Even so, her passion for life probably exuded that of all of our other Brittanys combined. I have always felt so connected to Rosie, in a way I cannot describe. And so do most people who meet her despite her very special needs.

Although our beautiful Rose was happiest when hunting she sensed when humans were hurting and simply needed the comfort of her company. And oh how Rosie loved to make me laugh. I love each and every Brittany in my life, they all have brought something so special and wonderful to us. They all stand out in their own right. Especially Rosie. My big, beautiful, fun loving Rosie whose purpose in life was simply to make me smile. Something she was quite good at. Even right up until this past week.

Rose hunted hard and she hunted fast, always giving 100% from the beginning of the day right to end. She returned totally exhausted and spent, but was always riding high on the thrill of it all. And she was always smiling. No matter what Rose was up to, her heart beat out of her chest with joy. Rose was a part of everything we did when younger. As every owner of multiple dogs knows, one of the greatest gifts we can offer to those we love and share our life with is that one on one time reserved especially for them. Rosie appreciated those moments more than any other of our crew. Rose was patient to a point, willing to yield right away to daily needs and necessities but she was never willing to be taken for granted.

I write this on the eve of knowing what is inevitable in the morning. I write it now because I feel the flood of tears backing up and I fear I shall not be able to restrain them once they start. All the cliche’s of older, senior dogs ring true in my ears tonight as does all the well intentioned advice and guidance about how to ‘know’ when ‘it’s time’. John and I have made the most humane and loving decision we can make for our Rosebud. IAnd the hardest. We have second guessed the timing. Should we wait? Should we have done this sooner? We almost did last summer but she totally rebounded and gave us one more year of simply being Rose.

Rosie the receptionist. Rosie the ball player. Rosie the scout. Rosie the surrogate sister. Rosie with the bad breath. Rosie who loved to be dirty. Rosie who jumped up onto the highest surface within her realm. Rosie who kissed passionately. Rosie who sounded like Kujo. Rosie who didn’t understand why her best dog friend Treasure didn’t want her near her puppies. Rosie laying down in the back window of my car making people smile as they drove by as a puppy. Rosie loving to swim. Rosie at Julies. Rosie in bed on my pillow. Rosie on the back of the couch. Rosie in the lawn chair. Rosie in the van. Rosie, Rosie, Rosie…

I love you and always will. I’ll never forget you and believe with all my heart there will come a day. I believe in Jesus and a God who cares for animals and all that concerns me.  I believe in eternal life and I believe and am confident there will be a reunion. I find comfort knowing about the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for what you brought into my life.  Run free now.  Thank you Lord for this girl, please take good care of her... 

May I go now?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I’ve lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

Do you think the time was right?
I didn’t want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.

I want to go
I really do.
It’s difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.


I’ll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you’ll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.


Thank you so for loving me.
that’s why it’s hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

You know I love you too,
So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you’ll let me go today.

Susan A. Jackson

6.15.19 Rosie was humanely and lovingly released into a painfree, peaceful existance at 8 a.m. surrounded in the quietness of her home by our vet, John, and me. She knew and was ready as I held her head, we looked deeply into each other's eyes. Rosie kissed my face profusely right up to her last breath.  Run free my sweet girl. You will be missed. 

J&A's Brittanys - "An 8 Week Old Pup"

We appreciate having the permission to share the following article authored by Dave Jones of Chief's American Brittanys

Caly (pronounced as cal - ee )

"She's only 8 weeks old, pointing and running bigger than you'd expect for the age! How can that be? Just the thought of her developing into a great gun dog is thrilling to me.

She conjures up old memories of what has been and what will be.

What can I expect from this wonderful Brittany pup? Love, attention, quiet days afield and fireside memories. Memories of our 'oneness', of old friends, of days that pass too quickly.

Summer 2005 with JackDog as a puppy bringing up the rear!

A whole world is ahead for the tiny puppy. Imagine how this unguided creature would fair without my careful guidance? I have a huge responsibility that makes normal duties such as her safety and welfare pale in comparison.
I shall take her afield and have pleasant memories with her. She will challenge me but I will know that in the end, we will merge...we will become a team. I shall endeavor to properly introduce my young charge with all that is good. I will hold her and comfort her when she becomes sick, injured and old - I know this will happen and I will be there. I will always be there for her. It is my job as her master to be there. I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Many breeders before me have taken this charge and carried it out dutifully. How many countless hours afield have her ancestors spent afield? Not to mention those 2 legged hunters who have logged lifetimes finding the perfect pup, breeding the best to the best.

I try to imagine way back in time, the time of wolves and prey. Wolves, true hunters who pursued game through wit and physical prowess. I marvel at how man harnessed this primal instinct and formed it into such a magnificent animal.

We will offer one another mutual kinship. On days when she must remain behind, she will send me off with a wistful look in her eye. When I return home, she will greet me as if I truly am the king of the world. I must be royalty....watch how she worships me and loves me unconditionally. I have many faults but she will not know or care.

My new puppy thinks I am the bird god. I give her an exciting wing to attempt to catch in her early days. Watch the intensity on her face! She races to catch it but misses. Within a few flights of the wing, she instinctively begins to creep ever so slowly towards the twitching wing...then POUNCE, "Darn, missed again!" she must think. Now she slows even more and OH, how beautiful!...She has raised her tiny right front paw and paused in mid-step. Her ears are forward, head up and tail high! Why can't I make it last forever? I don't have my camera and even if I did, the picture wouldn't do justice to the moment.

I take my young prospect afield and make sure there are birds to be found. When no birds are found, she does not blame me. I think she regrets that she has somehow let me down. How can I communicate to her my shortcomings and inability to always take her to where there are birds? This is not 1000 years ago with abundant game, where all one needs is wit and power to catch dinner. We fool our young charge into thinking that we are the ones with wit.

Then, as suddenly as I daydreamed of her skills afield, I think ahead, just briefly, to the day when she will breathe her final breath. God, can we go together? Is there a way that we can at least continue this hunt, this friendship, in the everlasting? Why God, did you create such a magnificent creature that cannot live as long as humans? Am I selfish? I rue the day of her passing. I know I will weep for days, caring only for my own selfish feelings, feelings of having been left behind once again by yet another wonderful dog.

What does a Brittany feel that has lived a full and rewarding life with a devoted master? Are they like some humans who have lived full lives and are ready for the hereafter? I have contemplated what might be their last thoughts and always pray they slip peacefully away with no suffering. I wonder if they think "I have served my master well as he has served me. I would like to hunt just once more in my mind but my body says it's time to go. Thank you master."

"Live today like there's no tomorrow" some say. This is so true when speaking of a companion gun dog. I have books by my fireside that remind me of others great dogs but somehow, no stories compare with my own thoughts of what was and will be....I pale in comparison to real writers for if I were a real writer, I might be able to impart just one ounce of what I feel for my baby, an 8 week old Brittany that is already showing the fires of what will be...

Y'all take care and give your dog a fancy treat for me."

Used with permission given by author Dave Jones of Chief's American Brittanys.