Isn't she lovely?

I love this picture. It was not a matter of John or I choosing to keep Treasure, it was a matter of Treasure letting us know she was the one we should keep.

A very recent photograph of the beautiful Treasure.

June 2006 - J & A's Dreams Come True of Acton is the first puppy born... she arrived with her leg and paw reaching out to me through the 'sac'. Wish quickly cleaned her up and she began to nurse immediately.Treasure's 'blaze' on her face has closed in some but her head and marking on her face have always been so distinctly beautiful.

Speaking of Apples

I captured these beautiful photographs from our daughter in law's facebook album ;o) and just had to share them. Although we all live so close together, it is not always easy to spend time with those we love the most because of the demands on our lives and busy schedules. Our relationship with our children and grandchildren is no exception so I truly value and treasure seeing these pictures. So many wonderful memories of doing the very same things through the years with all our family, and of making apple pies with my mother in law. Teri also had a mouth watering photo of a prize winning apple pie she made. That reminded me of the year Nana (Johns mom) and our daughter Maryann won first prize at the apple pie baking contest in Eliot, Maine. Nana had a stroke and could only use one arm. Maryann and her teamed up together to create the winning pie! Teri, Maryann, and I all enjoy baking pies. I made one last week for John which didn't last very long. Anyway - wanted to take a break and share these. Tis the season for apple picking here in Maine! Where John and I live there are dozens of orchards nearby and over the years we have often enjoyed family outings where everyone gets together for an afternoon of apple picking. Apple picking is something that we alway senjoyed together when both of our children were very small and we're very happy to see the tradition continued. The other day our neighbor called John over to the fence which divides our property and he gave us a gift of a half gallon of apple cider - made right here in Acton! No preservatives, no nothing - pure home made apple cider. The stuff in the grocery stores does not compare. Here's a link to some of the Maine apple orchards: MAINE APPLE ORCHARDS
By the way, the 22nd Annual Acton Apple Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, rain or shine. Festivities will begin at 8 a.m. at the Acton Congregational Church with an apple pancake breakfast with real maple syrup and sausage. Also available will be homemade apple pie, whole or by-the-piece and with or without genuine Cabot Cheese, which will also be on sale.Other activities follow at the church, the town hall and its parking lot, the Mary Grant Preserve and the orchards in the area. There will be arts and crafts, flea markets, and games for children. There will be a cider-making demonstration and free blood pressure test by the Acton Ambulance Association. Entertainment will include clowns, Johnny Appleseed, the Pepper Steppers and more.Come and bring your family and enjoy food, fun and fresh air at the Acton Apple Festival.

THE VALUE OF A NAME - J & A's Dreams Come True of Acton

Pedigree as shown

Definition of "TREASURE": Precious jewels, anything considered very valuable, to value greatly, cherish, to store away or save up for future use, pride and joy.

Highlights of a Fun Weekend

The Brittany mobile was loaded up with ATB last Friday and on the road to the Maine Bird Dog Club grounds by mid-morning. John towed the 'chuck wagon' (aka trailer loaded with everything but the kitchen sink - no that was probably there too) with his truck and I brought up the rear driving the motor home. Treasure and JackDog rode shotgun with John and I had the rest of the securely crated crew. No protests from the peanut gallery other than an occasional 'woof'. They were happily gnawing away on the quartered beef bones that John had bought at the butchershop before leaving. We stopped along the way at a farmside stand to pick up fresh corn on the cob and vegetables and pulled into the grounds by noon. Our friend Mal was already there so John joined him in setting up the field trial tent and I set up our ATB home away from home (see picture above).

We love our Brittanys!

We are looking forward to the upcoming field trials and hunt tests, and perhaps one more show this fall. John has converted the motor home into a kennel on wheels and it's worked out very nicely for human and canine alike! Instead of sleeping 1 or 2 dogs, we now can accomodate ALL things Brittany with room to spare. Nothing my husband can't do. We're blessed to have friends, family, and neighbors always willing to take care of things at home for outings like this. My goal today is to bake an apple pie, perhaps some whoopie pies and to finish helping John with some of his errands. After that, it will be all about getting our dogs ready for their weekend getaway with us. I can't wait. Although I do scratch my head and wonder at times - what happened to those two week long vacations to Canada, Mooshead Lake, etc.????? Wouldn't have things any other way right though at this point in our life! Take care and God Bless you, John, Ann and ATB

The First Generation

These are pictures that Dawn sent to us this weekend taken of Bailey at 11 months old. She is out of Jack and Chrissy, has several show points and notable placements, and several Field Trial placements in both puppy and derby stakes. I'm really looking forward for the chance to see her work this weekend at the CMBC Fall Field Trial! (Thanks Dawn for such great field photos!) I am also looking forward to seeing several other Brittanys from our program run in this weekends field trial as well.

Labor Day Weekend in Conway, NH

Out of all the locations for a show, this may be at the top of my list for favorites. Nestled in a valley of the White Mountains in North Conway, NH the Carroll County Kennel Club shows speaks peace and relaxation - even if you are parked next to dogs that bark all night ;o). This show is about an hour and a half away from home and a real nice drive with the exception of experiencing brief traffic going from Fryeberg into Conway.

SCHOOL DAYS

Treasure and I headed to Eliot this morning to see Alana get on the school bus for the first time, and I cried... She and Callum were very happy to see me, this is his third day of school and his friend was there! WAs happily surprised myself when David and Maryann invited me out to breakfast. Treasure sat in the car with the windows safely down (cool morning anyway), but managed to trip the car alarm! When we came out of the restaurant my daughter said "Mom, is that your car alarm going off?" SURE ENOUGH! Treasure wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she quickly regained her composure and slept all the way home. Alana looked so beautiful in her new outfit, she was just as proud as could be. Callum was even prouder to be the big brother and to introduce me to his new friend who waited for the bus with them. And of course, he looked quite handsome! This morning lots of memories flooded my mind

September Morn

What a beautiful early September morning! The air is refreshing, and clean - the kind of weather that brings the desire to bake apple pies, open all the windows, air out the house, and maybe do some late summer yard work. Or not! John headed out first thing this morning with Jack to continue with his fall 'tune-up', readying him for the hunting season ahead, a field trial or two and maybe even a Hunt Test for his Senior Hunting title. Me - I'm feeling the effects of a whirlwind August, looking at September in the same light - and setting my sights on October. Our children and their families have been so busy too and now it's back to school already! I had a wonderful conversation with our daughter last night, and John had an equally enjoyable chat with our daughter in law so I feel we are all caught up somewhat.

The Road Less Traveled

The song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus has taken on a great significance to me, personally. What I write today may sound melancholy, perhaps even with a tone of bitterness but - writing, journaling, sharing and being transparent comes naturally to me. The words "always going to be another mountain, always going to be an uphill battle, sometimes I'm going to have to lose, and it ain't about how fast I get there... " I just FEEL this so strongly today.

It's in retrospect of several situations this past summer, where the true character of some individuals has surfaced - including the flaws in my own. Brought up to always 'root for the underdog' while watching Saturday wrestling matches on TV with my dad - I learned that those who struggle the most to achieve their victories - are often the most appreciative of them. When time and again winning doesn't come easy to the underdogs - they make a choice to either give up, or continue to keep going.

What I have also seen this summer is how easy it is for good, honest people to find themselves manipulated and used, stepped on, mocked, and patronized. It is often easier for bitterness to take route in these situations than it is to walk in forgiveness.

In the world of competitive sports - whether it be national football or the sport of purebred dogs - there are those who have paid their dues over time and by doing so - are deserving of a certain level of respect. Especially those who have years of experience behind them to testify of their individual uphill battle and journey. Those who one day find themselves at the top of their game - still struggle just as hard, however their struggle involves new mountains to overcome. These 'veterans' for the most part are deserving of respect though, especially if they have taken the road less traveled which consists of good ethics and a walk of integrity.

On the other hand - there are some who look at the very real mountains in front of them and do not grasp the importance of their own personal climb. Quickly and intelligently a shortcut is mapped out. Sadly, this perceived 'shortcut' effectively burns many of the original bridges of communication, help, and guidance built upon a reliable and firm foundation of true friendship.

Personally, my own climbing experience is based on keeping the faith that all things work together for good, to those who love the Lord, and I do. It keeps me sensitive to the plight of others, and causes me to want to help, to pour into another persons life. But when the other person continues time and again to blatently do things that go against all that we have shared and communicated, behaves in manners that suggest we never even knew each other - it is time for me to walk away. To see someone who appeared interested in nurturing a friendship flaunt behaviors and attitudes in direct contrast to the nature and character presented in the beginning is a mockery and a disrespect of that friendship.

Almost everyone has felt betrayed by a friend or experienced some other negative relationship issue, such as gossip. Proverbs 16:28 says a whisperer (someone who spreads private or embarrassing information) can separate the best of friends. These are some of the "hard issues" in life and require a lot of serious thought, heartfelt prayer to God for help in making the right decisions. At first, the concerns were small and I tried to resolve them by applying Matthew 18:15. I shared my concerns openly to no avail. It is hard to reason with someone who knows everthing. Recently I had to make a decision to simply withdraw and be thankful for friendships in my life that are strong, and can even help carry me through this particular mountain climbing experience. It's not easy, and it hurts. And I accept responsibility as well.

You can pick your friends, but not to pieces.

Thanks for listening... Ann