Updates are getting few and far between as we are enjoying the opportunity to be outside with the dogs more than ever. Things are going well here at All Things Brittany and I'll try to share some of that here. First of all, thank you for the words of encouragement as John and I went through the first anniversary of Timbers death. It was a very difficult day for me but because of good friends who understand and care, plus being very busy at the dog show we got through it just fine.
Secondly, we have come up with a name for Chrissy's puppy. Her call name is going to be "Pippin" and her AKC Registered Name will be J & A's Serendipity of Acton.
The word 'serendipity' means "the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate while looking for something else entirely. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for." And I found this quote that I like: "In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts." Serendipity is a blessing we were not looking for, and unforeseen circumstances have resulted in her becoming our puppy through no efforts of our own!
This weekend we had a full house as those involved in the Central Maine Brittany Club Dog Show stayed with John and I. It was so much fun! Karra, Julie, Pam, Sam along with Sassy, Paris, and Gibson joined us for the weekend. Unfortunately the weather was absolutely awful here for the dog show. Cold, rainy, raw and miserable. But those things didn't dampen the spirits of those of us who love Brittanys.
This was the clubs first Specialty show in recent years with all new leadership, a new location, new date and new host club. It was awesome. There are some pictures following this post. We would have liked to have more entries (there were 13) but they were still up in numbers from last year. Results can be found at infodog.com. Pam and I did very well with our Brits. She had a succesful debut with 6 month old "Paris" and "Gibson" won the points for males - by taking the blue in his class, Winners Dog, and Best of Winners! "Treasure" really had her moment to shine too as she won the blue in Bred By Exhibitor Bitch and earned the available points towards her championship by winning Winners Bitch. We were all so very extremely disappointed that due to the absence of just one bitch there was no "Major" awarded at our very first Specialty show with YCKC. If she had been shown Treasure's win would have resulted in a 3 point major - bringing her even closer to reaching her show championship. But losing that major was only a minor disappoinment in the overall picture. Julie outdid herself with her outstanding Hospitality Tent. Even though we were all frozen right to the bone both days at the fairgrounds were full of fun, friendship as we spent the day surrounded by dogs and the people that love them.
Back to Pippin... The name just rolled off my tounge one day as I was calling puppy puppy puppy. She is full of personality, spunk, attitude and is like a little wound up toy that when you set down on the ground goes and goes in a million directions at once! She loves all the big dogs and they all love her. I think they actually feel protective of her. I was out in the yard with Pippin and all the others. She ran in the grass with them and they paid her no mind. I doubt she comprehends her size. Eventually Chris came and lay down with Pippin, who nursed quite happily while the others came and went. Truly they are all a canine family without issues. I have entered Pippin in the 2010 Futurity and intend to begin her show career by taking her to matches this summer. Keeping a pup from Chris this time was not in our plans at all but we believe all things happen for a reason, and that it was meant to be. I have been greatly encouraged by Chrissy's prior owner and friends concerning many aspects of how she came to be ours. This encouragement has been greatly appreciated, and quite honestly needed. It hurts when people misunderstand your motives and unfairly judge your best intentions. But thank God for the people in our lives who truly know our hearts for it makes it easier to move beyond unfortunate situations. Although I do not in any way consider having Pippin to be an unfortunate situation! She is a very special puppy and has already found her place here at All Things Brittany. She is a very fortunate blessing and I believe all things happen for a reason.
NOW ON TO WISH! Yes! the excitement is building as each day I do see evidence of a possible pregnancy... But as we all know ;o) it is never easy to tell for sure until all the signs have been noted, and we get much closer to the anticipated due date in which case is mid-June. Monday night I was so exhausted that I curled up on the little couch in the kennel under "Molly's" afgahn. Wish had been out of her pen and came and joined me, snuggling in as close as close could be. She is always snuggly - but our girls are especially so as motherhood approaches. Wish is in wonderful condition physically, her muscles are strong and her weight is good. Her appetite continues to be wishy/washy so I'm supplementing it with liver, chicken, eggs, cheese etc. as needed. She's also taking calcium supplements per our vet. Anyway, 2 hours later I woke up and Wish was still tucked in next to me. I gently woke her up and guided her back to her pen promising her that soon I would be spending much more time there with her for sure.
The following weekend is going to be another busy one for us! We have a small dog show in Scarborough on Saturday and Sunday. Then there is a field trial that weekend too in NH. It looks like I'll be showing and John will be field trialing. The best part of it all is John will be going with our friends Jim and Julie!
Frank and Donna Pride are home from Arkansas. Boy have we missed them. I'm so glad they're back in Maine. As John retires very very soon, we've discussed the possibility of coming up for a day of fishing - Frank knows all the hot spots to go! And I always enjoy visiting with Donna. They are both fascinating people and have become good friends over the years to us.
I guess that's probably the best thing of all concerning what we do. John and I get to meet so many new people, and most of you - become and often remain an important part of our lives. Those are the things that I hold on to, that have great meaning to me. There are times when people can be so difficult and hard to understand. People who are used to getting their own way all the time. People who think they are better than others and even in some instances lie and manipulate. I have no time for them in my life and in some ways I feel very sorry for them. People like that will always be a challenge to people like me. Those are times that I'm so thankful to understand and know the love and forgiveness of God. Perhaps one day people like that will come to know it too and things like being in control of everything will no longer matter. It's impossible to be in control of everything and everyone - but when people like that discover individuals that they cannot manipulate, who will not play their games - they then try to manipulate situations. Recently I have seen the true colors of several people surface and it's not been pretty. These people are well aware that the things they say and do are mean and hurtful, often full of vengeance with a sick sense of needing to 'get even'. But people like that are a part of all of our lives for a reason... perhaps the reason we have to deal with them is to help us continue to be the better person and in doing so, not lower our standards, our beliefs, our risk the integrity of who we are, of what our hearts are made of. Fortunately - people like that are rare in my circle of friends and acquaintances - and consequently they do just stick out like the sore thumb that they are!
God Bless all of you from All Things Brittany, John and Ann
