We Proudly Announce The Arrival of...

IF YOU CAN DREAM...
We proudly announce the arrival of 11 beautiful Brittany puppies and the good news that Treasure and all her babies are doing wonderful.  John and I are proud, thrilled, happy and ecstatic for all the right reasons. Treasure whelped on Day 62 of her first breeding.   The first puppy was born at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning, October 11 and the last puppy was born at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon.  Treasure is taking to the role of motherhood quite naturally.  The whelping was uncomplicated and uneventful - very smooth sailing, graceful and peaceful.  She had no problem and our assistance was very minimal.  All pups are nursing and thriving and are under constant watch by John and I who are taking turns.   The first 72 hours are critical in all litters, but especially so with a large one like this.  They have each gained well over the first 24 hours and mom and pups go to the vets tomorrow.  This litters average birth weight is 8.5 oz.  There will be a lot more to write about in the coming days and pictures and videos will be forthcoming as well.  John and I are completely exhausted but this is so worth it. I'm thankful that he is home because this is the first time we have ever had this many puppies at once and this is definitely a two person litter!  There are 7 males and 4 females.  5 liver and white pups and 6 white and orange pups. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes - we are grateful to God for watching over one of His lesser creations and He is faithful to protect ALL that concerns those who believe... and we are seeing the evidence once again.  We feel blessed for a multitude of reasons, and are so happy to share this particular joyful occasion with those of you who care about All Things Brittany!  God Bless you, John and Ann, Treasure and pups, and all the crew

Pam and Sam

Waiting to see if Pam and Sam have checked their email lately ;o)

Temperature Watch Continued

98.8 this morning at 8 am.

6:46 PM

Temperature now 99.2

6:46 PM

Temperature now 99.2

Temperature Watch

Tonight's temperature reading will be important. Treasure's temp has been playing the up/down game for a full week but the past 24 hours has dropped by small increments. This morning and noon was the lowest reading so far but it still can go up. I would like to see that it has continued to drop today when I take her temperature later tonight. The slightest variances at this stage are very significant, even 1/10th of a degree matters. This is Day 61 from her first breeding.

Brief update...

Jack and John had a succesful hunt yesterday, and I'm looking up more pheasant recipes! Treasure's temp is still hovering at the same mark, is extremely unsettled, paces and pants and looks for nesting places. Pups movement is very strong but Treasure can't get comfortable enough to stay in one position for very long. Daughter and her family will be in area today so plan to stop in and visit us on their way to apple picking. Cool and overcast, but the foliage is lovely and the sun has peeked out a couple of times. God bless you and yours, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Day 59 - Spunky as Ever

Treasure has been very playful and quite interesting to observe this morning in a most unusual way.  She finds things to carry around in her mouth.  One of them is a toy similar to a 'bumper' used for retriever training, with green camoflage canvas.  Typically a toy like that would quickly be destuffed but that has not been the case.  We were outside and she approached me with a kidskin work glove which again, she would typically mouth and chew and eventually bury if not discovered in time.  Instead she pranced around the yard with it in her mouth, her tail proudly at 1 o'clock.  Last but not least she discovered a bucket of day old breads and doughnuts intended to scatter for our birds. So she looked quite silly with a big doughnut sticking out of her mouth, it kind of looked as though she had a big goofy smile going on.  She didn't eat the doughnut.  I'm thinking that this is all part of her maternal instincts kicking in, but they haven't quite been turned on all the way so she's stuck in the middle of her playful personality, natural instinct to retrieve, and the nurturing instinct which will soon be released fully. 

She is more antsy today, having a hard time settling down and her puppies are full of energy and movement.  Poor tummy is bulging and her mammary glands are already showing fullness with nipples twice the size as usual.  But Treasure is ever loving and affectionate and I think she's appreciative too of my obvious understanding of what is going on with her. 

I was watching a youtube video of  newborn puppies making sweet little mew sounds. Treasure came and stood up, putting her paws on the desk  and looked towards the screen, cocked her head to the side and was quite interested. 

Temperature is still 'right there' it hasn't gone up and it hasn't gone down.  Day 59 from her first breeding and one thing I know - we should have pups at this time next week!  Stay tuned....God Bless you and yours, John, Ann and all things Brittany.

Day 58 Getting Close

Treasure's temperature is hovering just at/below 100.  I am looking for a steady temperature drop that remains below 100.  Her behavior indicates that she is experiencing great discomfort because of the puppies she is carrying.  She stretches and moans, rests, pants, and is uneasy - yet not extremely anxious as she will become closer to delivering the pups.  Last night I slept in the 'dog house' on the couch to monitor her closely.  John and I have the camera/monitor/walkie talkies connected so we remain in contact with each other. Our vet knows that a litter of pups is due.  As this is her first litter I dare not take anything for granted.  Wish, Treasures mother, delivered her first litter very quickly with little warning.  Treasure looks at me for reassurance when she is experiencing what must be early mild contractions.  This can go on for several days but I hope not for her sake.  I had to make a choice about where to be this afternoon and early evening... there was a club meeting to attend but  the decision was obvious to me that I should remain right here with Treasure.  It's not like I can ask someone to check in on the dogs like we usually do - this is different. 

The pellet stove is running on low heat in kennel, I have my cot, books, bedding, coffee pot, music and of course satellite t.v.  I sit with Treasure and gently massage her tummy often.  She is not usually a needy dog other than enjoying our company.  I mean she doesn't paw insistently for attention and is content to simply be nearby.  Things are different right now though, Treasure seems to find comfort in laying as close to me as possible and pressing her back up against me somehow.  The movement of the pups is strong and is felt on both sides.  It is hard to estimate how many so I won't try.  I just pray for healthy babies, and an uncomplicated whelping for Treasure and for us.  It's a very exciting but very serious time for us here at All Things Brittany and it's important to keep things as quiet and normal as possible here for our first time mother.  I'll do my best to keep the blog current and look forward to when I can post the news that our Treasure has had her first litter!  Remember us in your thoughts and prayers - we'd sure appreciate that.  Take care and God Bless you and yours, John, Ann and ATB

An 8 Week Old Pup - Commentary

J & A's Beannie Dukes Quest

Treasure's full brother - "Beanie" Clukey @ 8 weeks old, 2006

Owned by Darren and Keesha Clukey

An 8 Week Old Pup

Author:  Dave Jones (Thanks, Dave...)

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.

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. - Dave Jones

NOTE: This excellent commentary written by Dave Jones of Chiefs Brittanys is used with his permission. We post it here as a gentle reminder of what lies ahead for those who are anticipating a new Brittany puppy with hopes and dreams of many happy years ahead.  Please do not reproduce or forward this without the express permission of Dave Jones.  Chief's Brittanys® All rights reserved