ATB VIDEO: Jack x Nova Pups - 9 Days Old

No need for words... here they are in all their beauty, sweetness, and innocence. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the whelping box....

 



ATB: Puppies and Bragging Rights

Happy 1st Week Birthday Puppies!

 



The "Superior Litter" (named after Nova's owners company) is doing wonderfully at 1 week old. I must apologize for the minimal posting and emailing. We are having technical difficulties with our computer, server, and hosts. It's effecting email, uploading photos, and my ability to update the blog. Ironically, Facebook is the one consistent at this point in time regarding updates and available photos. You can find us at "All Things Brittany" on FB. 

In the meantime:  The 6 puppies are thriving and growing. There are 4 white and orange girls, 1 liver and white boy, 1 white and orange male.  Nova mom is doing so well for the first time but I really did not expect anything less from a granddaughter of Wish, and from Treasures daughter. It's been fun to video call with Nova's owners who can tune in at any time of day or night to check on their girl and her puppies. They also have given the puppies their litter nicknames which are: the boys Thunder (W/O), Drizzle (L/W), and the girls (all W/O) - Cloudy, Raindrop, Puddles, and Rainy. We put new flooring down in the whelping area, a very nice and light textured vinyl. It's clean and cool for Nova to stretch out upon. The outdoor temperatures have been climbing so there's no need to keep the furnace on or deal with the wood stove (finally!!). The heat lamp keeps the pups consistently warm. What a nice litter of pups.

Sometimes Sad Things Happen: Although originally 7 pups were born we are sad to say that little Lightening passed away held close in my arms just a little over 24 hours old. He was just a little over 5 oz when born and it was clear to see he was physiologically immature. Although he lived his life with gusto and zest for the brief time he was here, he gradually began to fade. First it became difficult for him to nurse and we assisted him. We have an incubator here which we placed him in to be sure he did not become chilled.  We also attempted to hand feed him using a stomach tube because he was too weak to try to feed with a small animal bottle. This is only the third time we have ever lost a neonatal pup since our first litter of Brittany puppies in 1990 but that does not make it easier. Lightening was a beautifully marked liver and white male who looked very much like his beautiful grandmother Treasure. I deeply love and value each little creature that we are responsible to bring into the world regardless of what happens. I believe he did not receive adequate nutrition during gestation, perhaps caused by positioning of another puppy that was much larger when born simultaneously with Lightening. But I have taken my cue from Nova who had her time with him, seeming to understand what was going on. She did not reject him but accepted our attempts to keep him comfortable. Then she returned and gave 100% devotion and attention to her 6 other pups.

Visits, Selections & Homecoming:  From time to time we impose upon ourselves an informal 'quarantine' (no visitors if there is a girls in heat, possibly pregnant, or with nursing pups). Their well being is always of the utmost importance and we do this to avoid any unnecessary stress. Although all of the crew loves company, it's just not fair to create a heightened sense of excitement for 'mom' during those periods of time.   We will schedule visits from those who will be getting a puppy to meet the entire litter of pups sometime between 5 and 7 weeks of age. It's a special visit to come and spend about a half hour interacting with mom and pups and to fall in love with each puppy.  When the pups are about 7 weeks old they are formally evaluated and tested using the Volhardts P.A.T. methods although improvised a little bit to accommodate our desire to observe their natural hunting and retrieving instincts. We take pride in making sure that each family that is waiting and each puppy are a good fit. (Of course all the pups are going to meet everyone's expectations and you could basically walk in blindfolded and go home with an awesome puppy!) We so enjoy working with our prospective families over a period of time. We know they are well prepared to bring their new puppy home and that their decision was not spontaneous or spur of the moment. By the time the evaluations are over we are confident that our suggestions will compliment the desires and expectations of those who have been waiting.

Puppy Availability: This entire litter has been spoken for yet we have not yet confirmed specific availability regarding males and females. Nova's owners will be watching the pups closely before making their anticipated selection of the pick puppy from the litter of either gender. They have some experience in this area and will take as much time as we will in evaluating. So 7 weeks is the magic number for puppy selection. We always say to fall in love with them all and make room in your heart and home for that one very special pup. There will always be certain pups in a litter that stand out among the others for one reason or another. That's the one who will always go to the visitors first, will go to ALL the visitors first who sometimes think they have been personally 'selected' by that pup. The very humbling fact of the matter is that's the alpha pup whose job it is to make sure it is noticed! When someone is interested in a specific color and/or gender the choices are obviously going to be limited. As there surely is an 'art' to raising a puppy, likewise there is also an 'art' to selecting your Brittany puppy from us.  The art form is deliberate and designed with the best interest of the puppy and his or her new family of course! Funny thing is, things have a way of working out exactly as they should be. I am confident that is because God is a part of this that we call 'All Things Brittany."

Bragging Rights!: Well, I had not planned on being able to get away for the Southern Maine Coastal Classic Dog Shows which are held in Scarborough, Maine. John was to attend a legislative work session and Julie had offered to handle Hemi for me. As there were no "majors" Treasure's handler sent her home. Plans changed for me to show Hemi while "papa John' stayed home with Nova and her pups and the ATB crew. Thistle won Best of Breed and her brother Hemi won Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex! What a feeling to be the breeder and in the ring with the two top winning Brittanys of the day. Although I have never been bitten by the dog showing 'bug' and only show occasionally to support the dual concept the breed is known for, I love the feeling of walking on air when a judge recognizes what we already know about our dogs. The frosting on the cake is that Hemi's win came out of the Bred by Exhibitor class. Also that day Thistle went on to compete in the Sporting Group competition, a first for her and Julie. Thistle picked up additional points towards her grand champion title while Hemi's win brought him right to the door of finishing his championship - he is very, very close.

I'm consumed by the desire to want to be with the pups, observing, monitoring and making sure Nova's needs are all met means.  As always, John is readily available via telephone.  I have not dropped off the face of the earth although I do love being 'sequestered' and the view from here is simply amazing.  Thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany - take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and our canine crew.

ATB: Litter Announcement

We are proud to annouce the birth of Nova and Jacks beautiful and healthy Brittany pups. They were born on May 14. All 7 are doing well. We will be in touch with those who are on our waiting list with full information when I can catch up on some sleep...

Day 63: Puppy Watch

Temperature has dropped and remained below 100 long enough to identify that we are approaching 1st stage labor.  She is restless, seeking dark spaces, and has started to scratch at her blankets.  Still awhile to go! Stay tuned.

ATB Video: Just A Little Longer (PUPPIES)

 

 

It's ALL IN A NAME We are spending a lot of time together just hanging out in the puppy room.  Maybe I should go back to calling this the "Treasure House" for the time being. It would be appropriate as the very first litter of Brittany pups to be born in the new addition was the one in which Nova was born over 2 years ago with her mother Treasure of course.  A beautiful litter of 8 arrived in the middle of a blizzard here at J&A's Brittanys but we were tucked away nice and warm spending the hours at Treasure's side as the pups arrived. That litter was called "The Nova Litter" because they were born on our oldest granddaughters birthday, whose name just happens to be Nova of course!

 

I'd never really gotten into the whole thing of nicknaming a litter. We would always just say Molly and Jacks pups, or Wish and Smokes pups etc.  Nicknaming a litter kind of just happened and so when you do something once you kind of feel like you're suppose to keep on doing it.  Our way is kind of simple really and quite often it is John who suggests a name and usually (believe it or not!) I like his ideas. We do take a lot of time working together on the official AKC registered and call name of any pup here who will have "of Acton" at the end of their name. Litter names? Not so much. However, we do have the nickname all picked out.

 

Our friends in Connecticut own their own business and it is called "Superior Landscape & Fencing".  They also own 3 Brittanys from our program and each of their names begins with J&A's Superior (unique name).   That put a huge smile on my face the first time I saw that in print. Consequently, in a few more days I hope to introduce you to "THE SUPERIOR LITTER".  And the pups registered names will be "J&A's Superior _____________" co-bred by the Shorts and the Turners.

 

Days 57 - 60   I know Nova's owners miss her terribly and I also know they trust us completely with her well being and that of the pups which will soon be born. Although they won't be here physically, they will be here virtually. The past few days I've been working out a few kinks regarding private live streaming.  It's been kind of fun to get to try some new things with a web cam, laptop, tablet, and of course our good old tried and true desktop PC. Now I can sit and blog (as I am doing now) right in the whelping area.  It's possible to upload photos and videos now in a fraction of the time it took before.  But I digress, this is not to be a technical conversation.

 

Just over my shoulder, laying out on the cot which John and I will take turns sleeping on in the next week, Miss Nova the sweet Brittany herself is resting comfortably. She's active for little periods of time throughout the day. She's very clear in communicating when she wants to go for a run down around the pond, check out the pheasant pen, or see whats up with the rest of the crew. I keep a close eye on her because I know that sense of 'wanderlust' can become very strong in a bitch near whelping.  Although our 4+ acres is entirely fenced in 2/3 of it is wooded and we've had girls try to make a nest in hidden pine boroughs before.

 

Her appetite is so good which pleases me. It is hard when they refuse food at any time during pregnancy but especially disconcerting the last week when both mother and her whelps nutritional needs are great. Nova is very sweet and affectionate. She's not anxious or nervous at all. Just like her mother, just like her grandmother. We're blessed to know that she is from a long line of what breeders call 'easy whelpers.'  Even though this young, first time mother has never experienced what her body is about to engage in - she will most likely react as instinctively and as gracefully as Treasure and Wish have done.

 

She is sleeping most of the time.  She moves about freely, choosing a couch, the cot, a chair or the coolness of the floor.  She has checked out the whelping box itself with casual interest. When we are in the house for too long, she'll stand at the door and look longingly outdoors.  After a quick romp around the yard she will go to the door of 'The Treasure House" and ask to go in.  We put a screen door on it which is so nice. She's content to lay there and watch what is going on around outside. Although sleeping a lot, she is far from inactive that is for sure!

 

Her eyes seem to ask me what is going on?  Why am I feeling this way? I respond by telling her she's such a good good girl, she's such a pretty girl. I very gently touch her tummy for it's clear she does not want much pressure there at all. But she enjoys the lightest of patting.  I would love to keep my palm pressed to her abdomen because the pups are moving so much.  The evidence of life is clear and certain. It is hard to know for sure the size of her litter.  She did not really show until the last week or so.  Sometimes first time mothers don't show until the end of the gestation period. Other times though they look huge early on. And unless x-rays or ultrasound are done it remains a guessing game. Although even then - it is a guessing game. In the past we use to do progesterone testing for breeding, and then get films later on to figure out how many pups there were. Because nothing has ever been conclusive we opt for the less stress for mom the better and let 'mother nature' (LET GOD!) determine the rest.

 

A Mothers Love I saw it with Treasure and her mother Wish, and I see it now with Treasure and her daughter Nova. The familiar bond between dam and pup. Who can know for certain what it is that remains of all that is natural between them within their biological relationship?  We don't know. We can wonder and romanticize, speculate and reason, hope and dream. To paraphrase Helen Keller, some things that are felt in the heart cannot be seen with the eyes. That's not true here. I have seen the dam and her pup relationship survive years beyond the whelping box. I have seen it even with those who were litter mates. (No, not always and breeders can't be ignorant and assume so because sometimes they will act like they want to rip each others face off !) But I saw it with Treasure and Nova this past week. They went from politely playing with each other, respecting each others space to seeking each others company, where they did not want to leave each others side. I think the photos in the slide show here show that pretty clearly. We really can learn so much from dogs, I know as a breeder I am especially blessed to witness some pretty remarkable things. As a multiple dog owner my heart does see things most eyes cannot.

 

Rest well sweet little Nova the Brittany.  In just a few more days your body will begin to approach labor and there are changes in store for you.  But we will be right here with you, nothing to fear. We are the ones responsible to bring you and Jack together in the first place. We will remain responsible and commit to you, your puppies, and the well being of your new family at every turn. You just wait and see the awesome homes and families waiting to love and enjoy your pups. Active people, hunting families and or folks with Brittanys in their life already. We've got this covered beginning to end and at every place in between. This I promise you as we wait together for the first sign of approaching labor.

Take care and God bless. As always we appreciate your interest in All Things Brittany!  John, Ann, and our amazing, beautiful, fun loving canine crew.

ATB Photos: 5 Shout Outs !



1. New AKC Junior Hunter - "THISTLE"

CH J&A's Sisters of the Heart JH
Breeders: John and Ann Short / Owners: Julie Harris and Ann Short
Sire: GCH Tonan - Hopes RU Kiddin' Me "Chevy"
Dam: CH J&A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton "Pippin"
DOB: 5.10.11
Thistle is our 12th AKC Junior Hunter from our breeding program. With Julie handling her, Thistle finished her title after just 4 hunt tests, earning her first two qualifying scores at just 11 months old.  One year later she earned her second set. Way to go Julie & Thistle!!!

2. Wilson follows in his fathers footsteps!

L: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special JH "Bullet"
Breeders: John and Ann Short / Owners: James & Julie Harris
Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH "Jack"
Dam: KJ Requet's Bouncin' Crysta "Chrissy"
BULLET earned his 3rd leg towards his AKC Senior Hunter Title with Julie handling!!

R: J&A's Quiet Courage "Wilson"
Breeders: John and Ann Short  Owners: Peter Sipperly / Kira Lajeunesse
Sire: CH J&A's High Caliber Harris Special JH "Bullet"
Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton "Treasure"
Wilson's first time out at a hunt test and he received his first two legs towards his AKC Junior Hunter Title with Kira handling!!
Nice job ladies!



3. Team Superior Does It Again!

L: J&A's Superior Jersie Girl JH J & A's Superior Jersie Girl NA 91 Prize III "Jersie"
Breeders: John and Ann Short / Owners: James & Lori Turner
Sire: J&A's Apple Jack of Acton JH "Jack"
Dam: KJ's Ramblin' Molly Rose "Molly"

R: J&A's Superior Brandi JH NA 108 Prize I "Brandi"
Breeders: John and Ann Short    Owners:  Owners: James & Lori Turner
Sire: CH Gibson JH
Dam: J&A's Dreams Come True of Acton "Treasure"
The girls of Superior Brittanys from Terryville, CT each earned qualifying scores towards their AKC Junior Hunter Advanced title!! Way to go Team Superior!
 


4. FRIENDS

One of the best things about enjoying all these events with our dogs are the friendships that are formed along the way. Whenever a dog event brings us together it's always a lot of fun because of the mutual love of God, and the mutual love of dogs, both given and received. 
L-R Pam, Julie, Ann, Kira

 

5. TALKING 'BOUT MY GUY - Just Sayin'!

Last but not least.... You'd never know it but for the most part John and I really enjoy planning for and working together on dog related events. Regardless of whether it is a funday, an annual meeting, the dog show, etc. most of my responsibilities are administrative in nature, ongoing and done at home.  We work for months together behind the scenes before doing whatever is needed for the clubs we are involved with. When it's time for the actual event John's work is always very physically demanding and labor intensive. In fact I have never known a harder working man in my life.   Sometimes we find time to quickly touch base with each other, even if just for a quick hug, kiss on the cheek, or encouraging smile.  Consequently, because we are usually very busy with our respective duties  we are rarely ever photographed together but most often with other people! Here he is on the second morning of the hunt tests working to keep things running smoothly, communicating with the judges and the marshals while others look on. The handlers are waiting for the official word to release their two dogs, who were testing at the AKC Senior Hunter level. (Julie and Bullet are pictured.)  One thing I most admire about John is his ability to not only suggest and plan things out, but to follow through on each and every detail, bringing it to completion. He's a good leader, manager, a true friend to his friends and a person with admirable skills and values. I love him for a whole bunch of reasons but most of all for being my one in a million, once in a lifetime, totally awesome guy! 

 

ATB: Nova & Jack Puppies / Hunt Tests / Reflections

PUPPIES COMETH! The past few weeks have gone by so quickly it is hard now to say we are one week away from another beautiful healthy litter of puppies. Sweet Nova has been here a little over a week and has settled in nicely. She is not overly large but she definitely has pups on the way!   Nova have a really good appetite right now and is enjoying her puppy food with a few extra goodies mixed in like boiled liver, yogurt, and salmon oil. She is getting tired a lot and resting most of the day she sounds a lot of time stretching out fully on the floor. It is funny, her mother Treasure seems to be especially attentive to Nova. Also interesting is the way that Nova will hang out with Jack. I found them lying side by side in the shade.

I enjoy taking the time it takes to set the "puppy cave" up again.  We have found that using indoor/outdoor carpet tiles that can be taken out, power washed, dried in the sun and then replace to be invaluable in the whelping box and area. Even so, I have wanted to add another layer of flooring. So this weekend we bought some vinyl flooring which John is now installing. We will see how this works. Piper and Trues litter was so meticulous with their early house training it totally amazed me.  Sometimes they are like that, but not always. I anticipate that we'll be re-assembling the whelping box perhaps this evening. We are now working at putting the partition back up. Nova has been a part of all these activities today and she seems to enjoy this new area to explore. I've been doing puppy laundry today which I always look forward to.  Well this probably sounds funny but it reminds me of when I was pregnant because I would do a huge wash using Ivory Snow and Downy, then hang all the new baby clothes, blankets and diapers on the line to dry.  Everything smelled so fresh and clean!  A couple of weeks ago I went to my favorite thrift shop where you can fill a bag for a dollar.  There was a large collection of assorted fleece in a clear, plastic vacuum bag that I spied and inquired after.  To my delight I could have it for $2.00!  I came home and found blanket size remnants of beautiful fleece as well as smaller pieces.  I had to muffle the seamstress buried within me as she tried to tell me about all the clothing and craft projects I could make. Sorry lady - this one's for the pups!

Nova is not very big so it is likely she will not have a very large litter but I could of course be wrong.  She is a young, first time mother. Each day she seems to be popping out more and more! But we will find out soon enough. Because Nova is away from her Connecticut family we are going to set it up so that they can virtually be here when the pups arrive.  We will have a private live stream set up. I know how very much they miss her and we are very happy to have her here for this litter. To be entrusted with her brings a deep and abiding respect and understanding for the level of commitment which we feel for her, not to mention how much we love this girl!

It is time to begin taking her temperature so that we can establish what is normal for her. Probably in about a weeks time we will be watching and waiting for a temperature drop. Also within this time we'll begin to spend a lot of time with Nova in the area where her pups will be born. Time to check the whelping supply list and replenish anything which we will need. The world around us may be extremely busy during this month with field trials to prepare for and participate in as well as dog shows and more. But that is okay. Our priority above all else will be this beautiful little liver and white Brittany named after our oldest granddaughter, on whose birthday her litter was born.

CMBC HUNT TEST WEEKEND We had a busy weekend last week at the Brittany club's hunt test. The weekend went well and it's always nice to get together at these events. I enjoyed especially having a chance to visit with friends who came support the event from New York and Connecticut. There were several local members and friends too. Personally speaking it was very rewarding to watch see several J&A's Brittany's participate.  Bullet received one more set of qualifying scores towards his AKC Senior Hunter title and was handled by his owner, Julie. Bullet and Treasure's son Wilson qualified each day for scores towards his AKC Junior Hunter title. Way to go Willie!  Benny (Molly/Scooby) had a fun run and already has 1 leg towards his JH title. Jersey (Molly/Jack pup), Bella (Jack/Jasmine), and Brandi (Treasure/Gibson) each did well and received qualifying towards their Junior Hunter Advanced. Hats off especially to Julie and to Miss Thistle for finishing her Junior Hunter title in 4 out of 4 hunt tests. As we all know, that girl is really 'sumthin' special' !! A complete list of qualifiers is available at the Central Maine Brittany Club Site, a site which I also maintain for that club. Heres a slideshow I put together with a few photos from the event.


LUNA THE HORSE Also this past weekend John started something new in regards to working with the dogs. Last year our daughter bought a horse and that horse lives here.  It started out as hers but of course, it ended up as ours and that is just fine. Our other horse "Magic" was a beautiful Morgan that I really fell hard for but unfortunately he was very hateful to the dogs.  Magic is still doing well at our nieces horse farm in York, Maine where he came from. "Luna" is here to stay.  She and the dogs get along perfectly.  John has been riding her with each dog running just for all concerned to get use to the new venture.  Most of the dogs had been around horses but now all of them have. John finds it easier to use the horse for his field work, especially going back and forth to the bird house, planting birds etc. He can handle the dogs from horseback but we are not training for field trials. 

REFLECTIONS This is an interesting season of our life.  Johns now been retired for 6 years. I don't think we ever set out to intentionally find ourselves with a lifestyle choice that testifies we have literally gone to the dogs. But God has brought us on this journey, a journey full of twists and turns, ups and downs but mostly it is something we do together.  We both love our dogs so much!  John has certain areas and levels of training that he enjoys working with them and I have my own as well. We do a lot together as well as individuals.  Getting up every day has a purpose which God has given us that includes loving and caring for the beautiful animals in our life.  It's probably not a life that people would intentionally say they would pursue but it is the one which we find ourselves in.  For me there is always an awareness of how God can use people right where they are in very simple and uncomplicated ways.

TIMBERDOODLE Before I close I'd like to share that this past week was hard for me as I remembered the 7th anniversary of Timberdoodle's death.  He died as you may remember of a rare form of cancer on May 2nd 2007.  I actually wrote an in depth article for the Bangor Daily News Blog about him called "Paws for Canine Cancer." May is National Cancer Awareness Month and I hope somehow it motivates people to make a donation for cancer research.

As always thank you for your interest in All Things Brittany. Take care and God bless you!  Puppies cometh!!  John, Ann and our canine crew

ATB: Happy 2nd Birthday to Molly & Scoobys Puppies !

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY to Molly & Scooby's "Mega Litter"!!

Two years ago today you arrived warm, wet, and slippery. Some were whelped in a puddle right in the middle of our outstretched hands. We helped your mother get the placenta off quickly ...and made sure she bit their cords far enough away or maybe even intervened and cut it with blunt scissors. We suctioned fluid from your lungs, briskly rubbed each of you with cloth to stimulate them, checked you carefully, and made sure you were soon nursing. There was one more of you, a big puppy which could not be delivered naturally so we spent our Easter in the E-room while your mother underwent an emergency c-section. “He” is at the bridge with your grandsire, Timber… We came home and bottle fed you for 3 days and then mother Molly took over. This was your beginning. Are you special to me? You betcha. And you will always be in my heart. Love each and every one of you sweet puppy of my Molly and my Scooby - Happy birthday!
 

See: WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Ann's Blog at Bangor Daily News

MAINE HUNTING & SPORTING DOG OWNERS UPDATE:

Well I thought it might be time to put a deliberate plug in for the blog that I write at Bangor Daily News. Awhile back it was deactivated as some changes take place at the newspaper itself.  I was very disappointed to discover the blog had come down and quickly contacted the person who oversees the blog.  I had often relied on sharing information from other sources and authors always including some of their text and a link back to the original source. That in itself wasn't a bad thing really. With the high volume of email I receive daily it made sense to share pertinent information to the viewers. But one of the articles cross posted over to the Facebook page without proper attribution. Ironically it was an article in which I had shared something Maine Animal Welfare Director Liam Hughes had spoken about in another newspaper. Being on the Maine Animal Welfare Advisory Council (somewhat),  representing municipal kennel owners I obviously have a desire to communicate to others on the various issues coming from the department itself. Anyway, to make a long story short I actually am enjoying the opportunity to rethink the purpose of 'my' BDN blog.  I intend to make a change to the title and if all works out it will become "All Things: Sporting & Hunting Dogs."  Not sure how catchy the acronym for that might be but I think the change will help increase page views. At least that's the intention. I will still focus on the very passionate issues of canine legislation and how it pertains to responsible dog owners and breeders.  However, I hope to branch out and include more diverse articles all relative to the love of the sporting and hunting dogs in some way, and especially to hunting families.  Maybe a softer approach, written in the same 'voice' as this ATB blog is written. I'm really appreciative of the way that I have been able to use the BDN blog as a platform on several levels and look forward to continuing to do so.  In the meantime, I'd like to invite you to check the blog out as it currently is - I have just posted several new articles there this week.  Here is the link under it's current banner and name. I hope you'll be a frequent viewer!
MAINE HUNTING & SPORTING DOG OWNERS

ATB: Spring and Grandchildren

All Things Brittany: Spring and Grandchildren



Okay, so it's not a secret that I'm just not a morning person. That doesn't mean I can't get up early and function because I can. But it does mean I have great difficulty doing so. As I get older with more kinks, aches, and joint stiffness occurring it makes it easier to sleep in. On the other hand, John is definitely a morning person.  He jumps out of bed at the crack of dawn with his whole day planned. It just drives me crazy! We're both 'retired' so our time is our own, sorta kinda. Sharing our lives with our crew of Brittanys requires we both adhere to a schedule to accommodate all of their needs. But that in itself is a labor of love so it doesn't really count as work. Who can complain when you are greeted each day with so much love and happiness by those who believe the sun rises and sets by you? It doesn't matter if it's the greeting John gets at the crack of dawn or if it's the greeting I get when trying to find my way to the coffee pot a few hours later - our Brittany dogs shower us with love. I don't like to be jumped up on unless I invite them. Thankfully they do understand when it's okay and when it's not. Usually. The thing with Brittanys, even the most well trained and obedient ones just have a deep need to look you squarely in the face. Fortunately they are not a huge dog and their medium size makes that little quirk of theirs acceptable for the most part. There was a dog show handling class I once attended where we were instructed to actually teach them a cue for jumping up GENTLY onto us. This was to give them a chance to s-t-r-e-t-c-h their bodies out while in the ring.  So most of our crew knows the cue or the signals for when it is okay and acceptable, when I will happily welcome a gentle 'up!' to visit briefly. I do not like and barely will tolerate however when they think they can jump up on me or bounce off of me. THAT gets a correction, one they wish to avoid. It's rude, dangerous, and dominant on their part. This 'discussion' may not make a lot of sense to anyone who has a well trained obedience dog. For those who have crazy fun loving Brittanys like we do though, it will make perfect sense.  But alas! I have wandered from my original intent of writing.

It was not up until two days ago that I could honestly tell you all the snow was gone from our front yard. We had so much snow piled up around our property I really figured it would linger well into May. Our two oldest granddaughters (13 and 12) came over to help us with some yard work. I will confess I'm reaching the end of effectiveness for my Synvinsc-1 injection received last year in my knee. Also that I'm having a flare up of Lyme Disease symptoms. Consequently yard work and most physical activity is quite difficult at this point in time. So having the girls over was truly a blessing for both of us, but especially for grampa. They were very willing to help us rake and scoop all that needed to be removed. I did manage to rake off the perennial gardens though.  And that was the day the last of the snow melted. John used the tractor grader bar to go back and forth across the remaining pile, a pile which was at one time about 30 feet tall!  As he spread the snow out, it melted by the warmth of the sun.  How nice! the youngest of the two later drove the tractor while grampa raked into the bucket what I'd removed from the gardens.  Our teenage granddaughter continued to rake the lawn and make trips down back to dump out the grass etc. What good kids to help us out, and they said they'd love to come help us again if we needed them to.

One day this week before I had surfaced from my slumber John had already started to finish the raking.  I stumbled to the coffee pot while glancing out the front window to see much to my delight the entire canine crew here 'helping' him! It was so funny as I noticed that they were definitely looking to John as the Pied Piper.  The dogs were not intentionally getting in his way, they gave him his space to rake but each one was nearby doing it's own thing. Piper was running around playing keep away with a ball in her mouth - thoughts of her puppies clearly left behind.  True romped around trying to initiate play with Piper. Scooby and Wish were laying down in the shade of the house together. Molly tromping around in the woods down back in her own little world. Rosie was two steps behind John, watching his every move because she knew he'd take the rake and use it to play with her.  I opened the door to let Pippin out as she had been in the house with me. Jack and Hemi were also playing nearby where John was raking. And Luna the horse was standing nearby calmly.  John was in his shirt sleeves.

Yesterday our daughter brought our oldest grandson up to stay with us for a few days. He brought his B-B gun and crossbow so he and grampa could do some target practice.  Her daughter also was here and enjoyed riding Luna around.  We've simply been enjoying the warmer spring weather which we all have longed for. John and I also attended a luncheon for 'seniors' at our son's church.  It was so funny when I told Ivy we were going to attend she said 'but gramie, that's for old people and you and grampa are so young!' Out of the mouths of babes for sure.  The day before I had enjoyed a rolled chicken lasagna that she and her little brother had helped to make.  It was excellent.

We've been a different kind of busy this past week, but a type of busy that we love and look forward to. Although the crew was definitely a part of the happenings here, this has been a week where we've spent a lot more time than usual with our grandchildren. It is school vacation and that has a lot to do with it. I've never thought of spending time with them as babysitting. And years ago I made a decision that no matter what was going on, no matter what I was doing when one of them walked through the door - they would always know that to me, seeing them come into our home was the happiest moment of my day and I simply drop whatever I'm doing. I hope each one of them, from the oldest to the youngest will grow up knowing how very much I love and care for them.  More than anything.

We'll be celebrating the 12th birthday of our next to the oldest soon. I'm looking forward to her party. I asked her what could I get her for a gift so she let me know. I'm glad that I was able to find it and know she'll be happy. These are the simple and happy moments we share with our family. They are the moments of our lives. Lately I am so keenly aware of the rapid passing of time. The years are just passing by quicker than I could have ever imagined!

It's funny. But as I see the grandchildren growing up, I also look to our canine crew, our ATB family.  Muzzles are turning white on the 8 and 10 year olds.  Our youngest Brittany soon will be 2 years old. They too are aware of the changes in the seasons of life.  They are so happy, ask very little of us except to be loved and well cared for. This is the time of year where they all can spend time outdoors together all at the same time - barring any hormonal problems. And love them I do. I joke and say they were our answer to the empty nest syndrome. But there really is no empty nest here.  Our children grew up into outstanding adults, they are each happily married, doing a find job of raising their family. Both couples are hard working at their respective jobs, careers, and ministry. Whatever family time we do have together, is always real and meaningful. We mingle our separate lives with each others so that we are intertwined despite the uniqueness and individual lifestyles. Love abounds. And these dogs that are a very important part of our life, enjoy our family.

I don't know if this is rambling, or if I just needed to sit and write about nothing in general. But it's been a great week for spring to finally show itself.  Things will get busy next week, we prepare for an AKC Hunt Test. And Nova will be returning here to have her puppies .  She is due mid-May and soon will be the center of my attention upon her arrival.  Kids will go back to school and the ebb and flow of spending time together will resume. Living in the moment takes on new meaning.  Maybe I'm learning something about life from these Brittany dogs that God has blessed our life with. It probably sounds funny to say but maybe the time I've spent observing their pack dynamics together has somehow helped me better understand my own family gatherings of time spent with the ones I love most.

I am tired lately. This flare up has been long and difficult. I do not like to go on about it very much, everyone has problems and troubles. And I know this too shall pass. In the meantime I'm going to enjoy the rest of the time this week with a very sweet 10 year old guy who tells me I totally rock and that spending time with us is the best time of all. I hope he always feels that way. I hope they all will. Seven grandchildren... seven awesome wonderful grandchildren.

Take care and God bless you and yours... John, Ann, and All Things Brittany