This weekend will be a busy one for our  J & A's Soaring White Sequoia of Acton (Scooby) and J & A's Sassafras Rose Harris (Sassy, owned by Jim and Julie) as we travel to Fitchburg for the New England Sporting Dog Group Show.  Scooby did well in the fall match in Kennebunk and Sassy is a Flyball Champion who has also earned her puppy field trial points.   We're going to join Pam and "Gibson" .  If you ever saw the delightful movie 'The 12 Dogs of Christmas" the Brittany in the starring role is none other than Gibson. 

Sassy will be shown by Julie in the GunDog non-regular Classes on both days.  They have been getting ready and Im sure they will do just fine.  John and I are so proud of them for giving this a try!  Scooby will be in the Sweeps and puppy groups.  He has been clipped down nicely and looks very handsome.  I'm very nervous because I'm so new to this - each time I have gone in the ring, I have forgotten something important or made a dumb mistake. Fortunately everyone is helpful and supportive of newbies and I do have the attitude that the emphasis is on fun at this point.  We do have a dream to one day finish a J & A's Brittany as a champion.  We didn't start out that way but as breeders we do realize that we can't just say we have good hunting dogs and leave it at that.  We need to show that our breeding program compares favorably to the AKC Breed Standard as well as producing pups that compete well in the field. Afterall the Brittany is the #1 Dual Dog of the Sporting Group. 

Showing Scooby at this particular time of year has some emotional attachment to it as well.  One year ago we were anticipating the return of his father 'Timberdoodle" from winter training camp in South Carolina.  Timber returned in March a fully trained athlete, a finished gundog and just in time to be bred to Wish.  Within a months time - we lost Timberdoodle to a very rare form of cancer, not seen in Brittanys.  We were not sure whether or not Wish was pregnant (typical!).  

Scooby was born on May 26, 2007.  He has his fathers eyes, the deep devotion of a dog that loves to please it's owner, and an intelligence and perception which is uncanny at times.  I like what I see in his development.  A strong, muscular, solid male Brittany with a lot of substance. A beautiful blockhead.   He's a natural hunter, as proven last fall.  The show ring will be something entirely different.  But, he makes me smile, he makes me laugh outloud, and sometimes he even brings a tear to my eyes as I see the eyes of his father and feel that love come through.  There's a lot about Timberdoodle on the website if you're interested.

I moved Chrissy into the whelping 'quarter' this morning.  Positive thinking!  She is wide!  Have also started to change her over to puppy food. 

As a side note, LD 2171 includes a new amendment drafted by the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs - which in many ways is a victory for John and I who do not consider ourselves to be a breeding kennel.  The new language states:

Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§8-A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 510, §3, is further amended to read:            8-A. Breeding kennel.  “Breeding kennel” means a location where 5 or more adult dogs, wolf hybrids or cats capable of breeding are kept and some or all of the offspring are offered for sale, sold or exchanged for value or a location where more than 16 dogs or cats raised on the premises are sold to the public in a 12-month period.  “Breeding kennel” does not include a kennel licensed by a municipality under section 3923-C when the dogs are kept primarily for hunting, showing, training, mushing, field trials, or exhibition purposes and not more than 16 dogs are offered for sale, sold or exchanged for value within a 12-month period.

We have always been licensed by the municipality until this past year when a new law required us to apply for a state breeding kennel license. This amendment will enable us to continue to be licensed by the municipality as long as we continue to remain within the guidelines.

Well, once again it is snowing here! The calendar says spring is just days away!  We have heard good reports about our Darling Clementines and are so happy they are with people who love them and will give them a wonderful life.  It works two ways.  We are also beginning to work with those who are interested in our future breeding program.  We're pretty proud to know that our Brittanys are desired now by so many people.  As always, it's all for the love of the dog - both given and recieved!  Will update on how the dogs show went next week - Pray for me to be able to run fast enough in the ring to show off Scooby's beautiful gait!  God Bless, John, Ann and all things Brittany