Brittany Therapy

This video is therapeutic,Brittany Therapy.
When you have a rough day, full of stress and anxiety - or even if not, one thing guaranteed to lift the spirits is spending time with All Things Brittany. Not the best quality but it captures the essense of the moment. Especially noteworthy are the pack dynamics in full force throughout this video. Enjoy!

May 23, 2009

When asked what is my favorite flower, it may sound strange to some that I say it is the Lilac. I love to pick armfuls of them and bring them inside, make several bouquets, and enjoy their fragrance. Some years they precede Memorial Day, other years they follow. Lilacs are a nostalgic reminder of things past and a promise of things yet to come.

We are anxiously awaiting the appearance of several early signs of pregnancy in one of our girls... it is too soon to announce much of anything or to let our hopes rise quite yet. The breeding occurred earlier this month and we are just not sure we got the two dogs together in time or not. Although she was in full standing heat for a few days she was not brought to her 'intended' as early as we'd hoped. Even so, there was a very succesful unassisted tie between the two. There has been ONE early sign that this particular lady typically shows to us though; every time she has been pregnant she has a barely noticeable, light, clear discharge and we have seen that this week. And now I am going to watch for morning sickness, just like in humans. This will be accompanied by a loss of appetite for a few days. She also gets much more affectionate early on - although Brittanys are always extremely affectionate. There is nothing like awaiting the birth of a well planned litter of pups with homes already waiting for them. I especially enjoy having puppies in the summer. So many opportunities exist for them. A brief list of some of our socialization program is provided on our website. The stud dog owners are equally excited as we will mutually share this experience with them.

Another big announcement is that Miss Chrissy will soon become the one and only Brittany for a very special family way-y-y-y-y up in Northern Maine. Friends of ours recommended us to a couple whose older Brittany died. One unfortunate outcome of new animal welfare legislation, touted as eliminating substandard kennels (puppy mills - an AR term) is how it powerfully effects those who only breed occasionally. In order to comply with certain licensing laws, we are only allowed to keep a certain number of dogs. AR's think if you have multiple dogs you are not taking good care of them. Chrissy is the mother of some absolutely oustanding hunting dogs, and a few who are currently being shown on a limited basis as they mature and develop. Being pregnant though takes a lot out of Chrissy, so she'll be spayed. While Chris enjoys the rotation of time in and out of the house with us it will get harder for her as she gets older, and she turns 8 this fall. We would rather she have the opportunity to enjoy the rest of her life as someone's 'one and only' beloved pet and companion. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Chrissy, but we will stay in touch and get pictures and updates. She's a sweet, sweet girl who will be deeply missed. And I trust the Lord completely that this was meant to be, the 'connections' are no coincidence. We would be happy for Chris to spend the rest of her life right here at All things Brittany. But a door has opened that will meet a need for Chrissy and for the family who happily awaits to welcome her into their lives.

From now on, because of animal welfare laws, we'll be forced to make this choice often in the future. It is not a choice I am particulary happy about, but the animal rights industry is in the business to eliminate purebred breeding and promote the adoption of dogs from shelters (I do not oppose adopting dogs in shelter.) In years past, you didn't have to worry about how many dogs you owned, intact or otherwise. If you had multiple dogs, if you had dogs retired from showing, hunting,or breeding - they stayed with you for the rest of their life. That's not possible for those who are not prepared to be classified as a commercial breeding kennel. If you have all your dogs in the house with you, you are a hoarder. If you have too many intact animals, you are a commercial breeder. If you have an outside building with attached runs, shelter etc. for your animals, you are considered a facility and that building must submit to unnanounced state inspections. I'd like to know how all these new laws really prevent animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty. It seems to me they are targeted at responsible dog owners who are already abiding by the law and taking damn good care of the animals they love. I've tried so hard this year to work with legislators, the animal welfare department, and many other stake holders. But until the general dog owning public grasps the deception of the movement of the animal rights industry and the stronghold it has in Maine enought to dare to speak against it, responsible dog owners and breeders will lose. Trust me, it takes a lot of the enjoyment out of we do here and it is very discouraging. Dog breeding is being criminalized and heavily legislated to the point where we just can't breathe. It's not just Maine, it is everywhere.

Even so! It's time for me to get outside to enjoy a romp around the yard with All Things Brittany! The fencing of the entire 5 acres is almost complete and boy are we all happy about that. This year we have the new garage and sssshhhh! I'm converting a corner of that into an informal 'grooming studio'. John says the garage is all his... errr.... yup! Of course it is!

He's at a Beagle field trial but will be home later today. A few weeks ago he spent the weekend at and judged puppy stakes at the Maine Bird Dog Club trial and set up his 'chuck wagon'. Last weekend I took the Brittanymobile to Scarborough for a dog show. Our good friend Julie met me there, we really had fun. All the dogs did wonderful, Bullet was Best Puppy in the Breed, Bailey got a Reserve 3 pt major, Pippin got a Reserve, and Treasure for the first time in a long time actually looked like she enjoyed herself, she was so proud and beautiful in the ring!

The natives are getting restless... and I have a rhubarb pie to get in the oven before John comes home. Hope everyone enjoys this Memorial Day weekend and takes a moment to reflect on the reason for it. Maybe we'll have some great barbecue weather for getting together with friends and family as in days gone by. Tonight is our Prairie Home Companion Night and if weather permits, our first outside fire in the firepit! I spied some marshmallows in the pantry... God bless you and yours with love from All Things Brittany!!

The Warrior Is A Child by Twila Paris

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing, Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child
Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing, never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armorDeep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor, the Warrior is a Child

May 6, 2009

A little birdie whispered in my ear time for another blog, and that little birdie is right! This past weekend the Central Maine Brittany Club held it's Specialty Show in Acton, Maine. The best award of all was not a ribbon or prize - but for me, it was looking across the ring and seeing our daughter there with her 3 children. It was a total surprise and a great and wonderful joy. Pictured from left to right is half of Lisa, Hero, Isabella; our grandaughter and grandson with their Grampa, and then Sam and Paris! Our youngest grandson was probably in the stroller sleeping while his mom took the picture. Shania, 'our' wonderful junior handler, showed Pippin who took 1st in her class of 2 both days! I showed Treasure on Sunday, who took 2nd in Bred by Exhibitor, and went in for reserve, but did not place there. Julie also enjoyed Bullet Man again who grows cuter and more mature with every passing day. Pam proudly showed Gibson in the Best of Breed class since winning his championship and she also showed Paris too! Karra's Brittany "Lea" was also shown by Nancy M. We had a full house from Friday through Sunday with friends and dogs everywhere! Speaking of friends and dogs... we are very proud to announce that Wish has been bred to Champion Gibson JH CGC this past weekend. It is way too early to tell and I'm not getting anyone's hopes up - but I'm still very excited and pleased! And tonight I am exhausted... it's all catching up with me, especially after a very long day at the state house for a work session on bills very important to me and All Things Brittany. So this is short and sweet as my eyes are shutting even as I type ! Love to all and God Bless you from John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Catchin' Up!

Pictured:

Dawn Hill with Pippin who is now 1 year old.

Julie Harris with Bullet who is now 7 months old.

How can it be that this month is flying by so quickly? Well, you should know that once again - we have had problems with our LOVELY internet service provider - Fairpoint. May I just gripe about how the transition from Verizon to Fairpoint has NOT been a smooth one, despite what is being promoted? Not only have we had intermittent internet service since February 20th (I just regained it again after being off for about a half hour today) but our billing for their Satellite TV bundle we signed up for - keeps needing readjustments. No kidding. Each month, when the bill comes we have to call and ask for a readjustment. For some reason, they cannot get it right - and we keep getting overcharged by nearly $40.00 a month! When we call, on a monthly basis - we ask them to bring up the record of our account, and ask if there is anything there about the previous months problems! Of course there is. So we once again ask why it was not corrected... and here we go again. As I type this blog, I'm watching my little internet light flicker on and off. John is ready to throw everything out on the front lawn for them. Other than that, life is wonderful and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they are coming to take me away ha ha hee hee!!!!!

We had a lovely Easter, with our son in law's family visiting from England. The Easter Bunny totally blew it at their house and at ours... and boy did the kids let us know it! Even so, the true meaning of Easter did not get overlooked as we gathered at the dinner table, joined hands to express our love and appreciation to our Lord. Easter always brings with it such a promise of hope and renewal.

This past weekend was very special. Julie and I traveled to Springfield MA, for Bullet's show debut. He did so well, and so did Julie. I was just so proud of both of them in the ring. Although an extremely difficult show to debut a puppy at - we did have a wonderful time with Pippin and Bullet, and many of our Brittany friends from Maine and across the region. We enjoyed some time with Lisa and Izzy too. Bullet won his first two blue ribbons, earning him the opportunity to compete for the available points in Winners Dog competition. It was a good experience. Bullet's sister Bailey was there, I had a chance to visit with her and have some hands on time. My knee was killing me on Sunday so Dawn showed Pippin for me. Julie really is getting good at her handling skills herself. I'm still pretty exhausted and trying to catch up on so many things here... so will end for now, but Nancy, if too much time passes, do not be afraid to remind me as you did! Love and God Bless each of you, Ann, John and All things Brittany

Proudly Bragging!

Just off the phone with Dawn Hill with the exciting news that 6 month old Hills Catch'n the Wind (Bailey out of Chrissy and Jack) won her first show point at the Great Barrington Kennel Club, Inc. Show today! Not only that, but Miss Bailey won 3rd place in Amateur Walking Puppy at Southern New Englands Field Trial last weekend with 11 starters! Not only that, but J & A's Sassafras Rose Harris (Sassy out of Smoke and Molly) reached 5,000 points to earn her Flyball Dog Master title yesterday at the regional tournament in Dover, NH yesterday with owner/handler Julie Harris! HUGE HUGE congratulations to Paul and Dawn, and to Jim and Julie and a heartfelt expression of appreciation too on our behalf.

Can't believe a week passed without updating this but it was a busy one for us! Last Sunday I drove to Augusta with Miss Pippin for an All Breed Fun Day sponsored by Kennebec Valley Shetland Collie Club. We met up with Lisa and Bella, and Julie and Bullet for a morning full of handling training tips, conformation show practice and more. All three of these young Brits enjoyed themselves, as did all three owners! Bullet does very nicely in the ring and Julie is much more confident in her handling skills (of course, the same could be said for Lisa and Bella too). And I was thrilled with how well Miss Pippin did. Shes a hoot and she knows it... she also knows I was very upset with her the other day. Pippin has never bolted away from me before but I guess she figured with her one year birthday coming up it was about time. Out on a routine 'hurry up' bathroom outing, she caught bird scent. The woodcock are down back... and she knew it! Off she went leaping over brush and fallen trees like a beautiful deer would do, quartering so nicely and rapidly with intent and purpose - farther and farther away from me! I was so mad as she totally blew me off! I was worried she'd get beyond our fencing so tried to get her to come back. It was clear she had no idea of paying attention and all I had were my clogs on - buried in mud after my futile attempts to catch up. I decided to ignore her.. .but then she figured out how to lure me over to the bird pens... and I thought that I could surely get her there - no way! She stayed just out of reach, little brat. I turned my back to her and sat down. She kept playing around me, taunting and daring me to come after her but I yawned... finally she couldn't stand it anymore and came running to me, jumping up to give kisses. Without any big display, I just calmly leashed her and we walked to the kennel together. She's been in the house consistently lately so this was quite a problem for her. I brought her to her inside pen, and then walked away up to the house... it was an overnighter with her mom, Wish, Molly and Scooby nearby. Not happy but... she's minding much better now ;o)

Yesterday was great fun for me, I headed over to Dover with Treasure to meet up with Julie and Sassy and their Flyball Team - the Mainiacs. I stayed long enough to enjoy seeing Sassy in action. She is so happy and loves the sport of Flyball! And with reaching her Flyball Dog Master title - that made yesterday even more special.

I testified concerning another bill on Friday, LD 988, an amendment to the exisiting dangerous dog bill which would penalize a dog for being a dog - in other words, a dog would have to be euthanized for killing a domestic animal. I can see that in situations involving people. I think the hearing went well.

And having said that, this Holy week now begins with thoughts of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that each of you will make time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter, think about Christ surrendering His life that you and I might live.. what amazing love, what sacrifice - and the message of salvation is the Gospel of truth for us all, and in a world like we live in - the only thing that really does make sense... For God so Loved the World, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, so that Whosoever Believeth in Him, Would Not Perish, but Have Ever Lasting Life. BELIEVE...
Love, John, Ann and All Things Brittany

Brittanys and More Brittanys in Augusta

BIG yawn... very tired, 9 PM on Tuesday night. Lots to share about a wonderful weekend spent with Brittany friends Julie and Lisa, and of course with Bullet, IzzyBellie, and Pippin! We enjoyed Sunday in Augusta practicing conformation skills and handling, plus a type of mock dog show. HMPH... the Brittanys were not appreciated in the mock judging LOL! I have some pictures to share, but tomorrow or the next day. All the young ones did wonderful as we prepare for our next show. Julie will have Sassy in a Flyball tournament this weekend, and we're all anxiously awaiting her next Title! Woo hoo Sassy! And I do have a wonderful brag too, we're very proud to announce to you all that 6 month old Hill's Catch'n The Wind (BAILEY from Chris and Jack seen below in the honoring pix) won
3rd Place Amateur Puppy in the Southern New England Brittany Club Field Trial this past weekend !!!!!!! Congratulations to Paul, Dawn, and Bailey!

For those who have asked, Treasure is doing fine now, and we believe all things work together for those who love the Lord (Roman 8:28) She's enjoying hanging out in the house at the moment with Rosie, Jack, and Pippin. John has just started spring training with the bird dogs, most of the snow is gone and it's time for them to review what they know. As the finished gun dog that he is, Jack got the full gamut down in the muddy bird field but the rest were simply walked around the yard with a new unique whoa training tool. This is his area of expertise so I stood and watched from inside. I was so pleased to see how they each did. Rosie and Treasure happily obeyed John at each command of 'whoa'. They were both all business. Because Pippin is being trained for the ring and the field, it was incredible to see how she translates whoa and stay as being the same thing. John was able to gently lay her leash down and walk backwards away from her, circle her completely and then go back and work with her on some style. If all goes well, John and his friend Mal will get Pippin and his English Setter "Starr" out together to train on birds real soon. They are both the same age. Mal is looking forward to heading out to Michigan for a big field trial to run Starr in there, and we sure wish him great success when the time comes.

Speaking of Honor

The handsome Brittany shown here honoring the intense point of 6 month old Bailey (Jack/Chris pup) is Ch. Hill's Blazin Jac, Pippin's sire. Dawn sent us several beautiful photos of Bailey's recent training day and this is my favorite one. This picture is worth a thousand words. Jac is an outstanding bird dog with many birds shot over him over the past few years. His manners at honoring Bailey's point are to be commended. That comes from the excellent breeding program he is from, and the committment to training by his owners. Bailey in her own right comes from stellar lines as well, and her potential is clearly seen here. John and I are way at the other end of early spring training, with the introduction of a wooden cut out pointing dog, to help steady our Brits up while teaching them the importance of manners. This picture has taken my breath away!

Don't Ask....

In our household, it can be dangerous to send John out by himself. Afterall, that is exactly how our first Brittany "Cuddly Cricket" happened to join our family the summer of 1986. Some things never change...
Yesterday I enjoyed a long overdue breakfast at a local restaurant with our daughter in law. In the meantime, John took a long drive to New Hampshire to pick up our dog food. I've been battling a bit of a funky fly yuck thing this week and hit the couch when I came back home. John had taken both Treasure and Jack, and as the kennels had been powerwashed earlier, the chores were done. I decided to give in to the CPI Syndrom (couch potato syndrome) and promptly plopped down intending to spend the afternoon in front of the boob tube, a true luxury for me. No sooner had I gotten the tv tray situated, a cup of tea, and the throw all situated (sans fighting for a position on the couch with the bro/sis away)... the motley crew of Brits began to sing and announce Johns return. Treas' and Jack preceeded him into the house of course... but there is my husband with a sheepish grin on his face... I said "WHAT." And he told me he bought a Pointer puppy.......... left the room to go outside and bring 'it' in. My thoughts were not fit to publish here... I was in shock... what in the world was this man thinking??????? Thoughts and emotions ran the full gamut - is he insane, well he must have a good reason, what's wrong with him, we can work it out, maybe he wants to train it and sell it, maybe he found it somewhere, maybe I'll schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist my husband MUST be crazy.... Okay... I braced myself... Heard the door open and his footsteps crossed through the house, I could not bear to turn my head. There he stood. With his new prized possession and a grin on his face that testified he was so proud of himself, and happy he had pulled YET another practical joke on me... while he showed me the plywood cutout of a Pointing Dog - which we will now use to teach the BRITTANYS how to honor each others' point!!!! After 34 years - you'd think I'd get a clue!! It was a wonderful laugh.

Spring Training Has Begun

Meet Bullet and Julie! Bullet is a 6 month old pup out of Chris and Jack's September litter. Julie and Jim also own Sassy, who has the title of Flydog Champion Gold! Julie is getting the Bullet Man in shape for his dog show debut next month. His sister, Bailey is expected to debut in the ring, and their big half sister Pippin - will be there too! We're all looking forward to this and personally - I cannot WAIT ! Going to shows with good friends is so enjoyable. It's great fun for the dogs too. (I must confess though, our dogs may do well and win but I am losing the Best Mother In Law of the Year award. Our wonderful son-in-law will be celebrating his 30th birthday in style and very special plans have been made for the same date that I had already planned to be away. The fact of the matter is - we have the best son in law anyone could ever have, and he's also a terrific father to the 3 children he and our daughter have. I will be there for his actual birthday, but not for the party. I have expressed my sincere apologies while trying to explain that the Brittanys really are not our first priority...)
It will be a great weekend all the way around though, and I'm looking forward to going. Pippin is looking so beautiful too, I can hardly believe it. I can't wait for Dawn to see her again, she will be proud. A year ago we were anxiously awaiting Chrissys whelping date. J & A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton arrived April 5, 2008.
Pippins 'countdown to the show' preparations have begun! And I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. JULIE AND JIM - THANK YOU!!!!!!!! love and God Bless you all, John, Ann and All things Brittany