WHOOP, WHOOP.

Looks like I'm in for an exciting New Years Eve. It's only 6 PM and I am the only one awake.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME!!!!

GREETINGS FROM THE BRIGHTHOPE GANG

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. May Peace and Joy surround you and your loved ones as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and King. Jesus Christ is the one Brighthope for the world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GUNNAR

After passing his obedience class with flying colours, Gunnar now believes he has earned the right to eat at the table....

WHERE'S THE BEEF??
 

Gunnar is a Ciron/Allure puppy from our January 2013 litter. His owner Debra uses terms like "charmer", "genius", "keeps us on our toes" to describe him. The one I like best "he is a joy and trouble all in the same package". Pretty much describes the Blue Picardy perfectly.

PUPPY NEWS

I know some of you have been waiting to hear if there are puppies at Brighthope. Unfortunately we did not get puppies this time. Arine was pregnant but due to unknown reasons she absorbed them. This does happen, although in my 20 or so years of breeding we have never experienced it. It is very disappointing, as we were very excited about this combination between Ciron and Arine. But, we will try these two again and I am sure Ciron will be quite willing to give it another go.
We will be doing a couple of breedings shortly one with Dapper and Allure and also Dapper and Eclat.
So, keep in touch our waiting list is growing.

THANK YOU

Remembering all those who left the comforts of home and country to do their part in making the world a better place. As a very proud Canadian, I thank you.
We must always remember!!

WHY I NEVER SIT ON THE COUCH

No explanation necessary!!

AFTERNOON NAP

After a nice long run in Picardy Park it was time for a nap. Arine claimed her spot on the couch and was soon fast asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

After all expectant moms have to look after themselves. Yes, Arine is expecting puppies the end of November. Ciron is going to be a daddy again, yeah.



FOUR GENERATIONS

They say a picture is worth a thousand words:

Dani ( Scoop Girl ), Ciron ( Shireoak The Midnight Storm ), Eclat ( Brighthope Point Well Taken ) and our newest member, Fanny ( Brighthope Royal Blue Fanfare ).

Back on track

Our Brighthope Kennels website has been compromised but is now up and running again. Of course for those of you who follow my blog you will know that when it comes to computers I am like a "deer in the headlights". So once again I pass all things "technical" onto Kim and Pat, aka, Suede & Dax. Many thanks to them for getting our website back on track.

So what is happening here at Brighthope?
We have bred Ciron and Arine. It will be a few weeks before we confirm a pregnancy and we are thinking only positve thoughts!!

Our Blues are enjoying the beautiful fall weather here in midwestern Ontario. Ciron has decided that laying in the sun is very relaxing and when he is not "performing" is doing just that.

CHUBBY BUNNIES TWO

This not so little boy looks abit like his granddaddy Ciron!!

WHERE DID THE RESTAURANT GO??

CHUBBY BUNNIES

MISS VOCAL

THE ROYAL COUPLE AKA THE CHUBBY BUNNIES

Puppies are three weeks old already and although it looks like they have played too many games of "chubby bunny" they are managing to roll themselves around and be quite active. The female is very vocal and likes to get Mom Eclat's attention by giving little barks. I am loving these two little kids.

Lunch on the deck

BLUE PICARDY SPANIEL 2014 CALENDAR

Time once again to send your photos for the calendar.

A PRINCE AND THE PUPPIES

I think that it is pretty cool that these two little puppies will share a birthday with the new wee Prince.

I had a request for pictures so the "pup-perazzi" hung around the whelping box and got some cute pictures.

Cuddle with mom time
 

The royal couple
 

LET'S GO KATE

Lady Eclat and Prince Dapper delivered up the Duke and Duchess of Brighthope this morning and they really would love to share a birthday with royalty so here's hoping that the new baby across the pond is born today.
It would certainly make for some interesting puppy names!!
Sorry all the press is elsewhere so no pictures yet.

LAZY HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

I am not going to complain, only to say that the Brighthope gang is all inside, fans and the air conditioner are our best friends right now. A chance to sit at the computer for a bit and catch up.
Here is another "furry friend" that lives at Brighthope.

The red squirrel


 

As you can see this little critter has decided that a bird house is as good a place as any to raise some babies. The story behind this squirrel..... When the Ratigans (Pat, Kim and Terry) came to Brighthope for the annual picnic

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

Brighthope sends a great big Birthday Wish to this wonderful country we call home.



GRANDCHILDREN

And what better way to celebrate a birthday then with family. Children (we have 4) and grandchildren (we have 11) are a very special blessing. Nana and Papa are extremely proud of our family and we just wanted to share with you today.

HAPPY CANADA DAY !!!!!

BRIGHTHOPE TIME TO DANCE CDX

Indigo is now the first ever Blue Picardy Spaniel to achieve a CDX Obedience title in Canada.

Cheryl, Indigo and Obedience judge

 

Even though her trainer Cheryl wasn't real pleased with her score, her breeder (me) was thrilled to watch her work from ringside. Yes she did throw in a few "Blue" traits, like using her nose to get to know the judge better. We all know how the Blues learn a lot about life with their noses. Where we have been, who we have been with and if we may have "cheated" on them by petting another dog in their absence. I was on the edge of my chair, when in the final exercise (the down stay) Indigo wasn't really sure if she felt like laying down. Cheryl told me later that she sensed Indigo was just about to tell her that if someone needed to lay down maybe Cheryl should instead. Indigo eventually did do the down and held her stay to complete the exercise.

It takes lots of training and dedication to compete in obedience and every trainer has walked out of the ring a few times and wondered where their dog learned that "silly thing" they just did in the ring.
I believe the Blue Picardy to be a very intelligent animal and I saw evidence of that watching Indigo work. I also saw the "clowns" they can be at times which we know only endears them even more to our hearts.

A great team

Ribbons and scores

 

Blue Kisses


 

A GREAT BIG THANKS to Cheryl, John, Sharon and Elijah and of course Indigo.

Onward and upward to the next level of obedience, stay tuned.

BRIGHTHOPE 2013 BLUE PICARDY PICNIC

More photos of the Blue Picardy picnic held on June 1st.
These pictures are courtesy of Ryk Narell.  RYK PHOTO AND DESIGN.
Ryk and Shelley are proud owners of Xena (Allure/Reign 2012)

FOOD AND FUN
 

SOME DARK CLOUDS, BUT NO MORE RAIN

TODDLERS, TEENS AND ADULTS, AND SOME VERY WELL BEHAVED BLUES

EVERYONE LOVES THEIR BLUES

Thanks Ryk for sending these pictures.

THE BRIGHTHOPE BLUES COME HOME

It was great to see all the Brighthope Blue Picardy Spaniels at the picnic on June 1st. The weather was good (one 5 minute downpour) and the Blues and their owners were great. Everyone commented on how well all the dogs got along. I have said it before about the wonderful temperament that the Blue Picardy has and when I see them all together it just confirms it. But I did draw another conclusion this weekend, I think Blue Picardy owners have great temperaments as well :-))).

Thanks to everyone for coming out.

RAIN OR SHINE IT'S PICNIC TIME

The Brighthope Blues are looking forward to this Saturday when all their relatives will be coming home for a visit.
We will hope for good weather but as usual we take what we get.
Lunch is at noon.
Bring your lawnchairs.
Come for a relaxing day just enjoying our Blue Picardy Spaniels.
See you on Saturday.

EMAILS FROM THE BRIGHTHOPE KENNEL WEBSITE

It seems that some emails sent from our website are not always getting to our inbox. We do make sure to always answer any emails we get about our Blue Picardy Spaniels. It sometimes may take a couple days, but we will answer them. If you have sent us an inquiry about our Blues and do not hear  back, give us a phone call and we would be happy to chat and answer your questions about the breed.

INDIGO IS ON HER WAY

Brighthope Time To Dance aka Indigo achieved the first leg of her CDX title in Peterborough on Sunday. She competed in the Open B class and had a score of 189.00


When she got her CD title she was only the second Blue Picardy in Canada to do so. Well she is now in a class of her own, she is the first ever Blue Picardy Spaniel in Canada to be competing in the open class of obedience. Indigo is on her way!!!!!


I will keep you informed of her progress as I do retain "bragging rights" to all the puppies that start life here at Brighthope.

2013 BLUE PICARDY PICNIC

OK where did April go???
Seems like the old saying "April showers bring May flowers" didn't hold true this year. And if it did we missed it here as we were still bundled up in our winter coats and snow boots. Never the less the spring flowers are blooming and I realized when the calendar changed today that we only have a month until the picnic.

Saturday June 1st
11:00am until the last Blues are tuckered out
Lunch is at noon
Bring your lawn chairs
Rain or shine
Please let us know by May 24th if you are coming
Camping at Inverhuron or McGregor Point Provincial Parks, 30 minutes or so from Brighthope.

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN JUNE.

JUST HOW BIG IS PICARDY PARK

Well I found out today that Picardy Park is big enough for a 9 week old puppy to play hide and go seek. There was a break in the snow storm (yes it is April 2nd) so we all headed out for a good run. Five minutes in and the snow started again and the wind picked up. The big guys didn't mind as we all know how much Blues love the snow. Even the puppies decided that it is great in Picardy Park regardless of the weather and they ventured off together but always in sight. After about 30 minutes or so it was time to come in and I did a head count 5 adults and 2 puppies, good. By the time we got to the gate there was 5 adults and 1 puppy. We waited and I called but no second puppy. Picardy Park is not that far from the house but at times because of the blowing snow I couldn't see the house. So pick up 1st puppy and get everyone into the house. Decide to take Allure back out with me, after all it is her "kid". She decides to follow me because I am making nice tracks in the snow, so back into the house with her. So remember that 9 week old puppies are still fairly light in colour and this puppy has only 2 small black patches on her back, plus the snow was well up over my boots. Time lapse by now is about 10 minutes, I just start walking and calling, of course I haven't decided on names yet so I am just calling puppy, puppy. Finally after another 5 minutes I saw movement under one of the spruce trees and sure enough there she is happily digging around in the snow and needles unaware that her buddy is safe and warm inside and that she was all alone in Picardy Park. She looks up and decides that I am the "boggy man" (I had put the hood of my coat up) and made me crawl under the spruce tree to get her.

I wonder what name I should give her!!!

PUPPIES IN PICARDY PARK

Here at Brighthope, Picardy Park belongs to the dogs. We have open pit mining courtesy of Allure, the forestry is handled by Eclat, Ciron is in charge of perimeter security, Dapper stands around asking if anyone needs help (and then does nothing) and Arine just runs and runs and runs.
So the puppies learn at a very young age what fun it can be to go to Picardy Park.

Snowplowing for "critters" under the snow
 

What goes in the mine
 

must come
 

OUT
 

Lumber Jack in training
 

Run and run and run, where's Arine
 

It is quite obvious that Picardy Puppies love Picardy Park.

PUPPY VISITORS

Sunday March 17th turned out to be a great day for a visit to Brighthope. I can always count on Kim and Susan for some puppy socialization. The sun was shining and I took full advantage of the extra hands to carry the puppies out to Picardy Park.

Susan was trying to get some close up pictures of the puppies I think.



 

And Kim was just getting close up to a puppy.
 

Anyway between the three of us we did get some good pictures. So as times permits I will post them.

WARMER WEATHER

The puppies are certainly enjoying their outdoor time, now that the weather is a bit warmer. Time seems to slip by very quickly and it seems in no time the puppies will be on their way to new homes. Of course by the time you get all the puppies outside and then have playtime and then gather them all back up to come in, clean their inside kennel and get them all fed!!!! whew!!! It is no wonder time seems to fly by.

LET'S HAVE A PICNIC

It's time once again to bring all our beautiful Blue Picardy Spaniels together. SATURDAY JUNE 1st 2013, here at Brighthope. Mark the date and plan to attend. I will post details on our Brighthope Blog. Hope to see you in June. Vicki & Dave

FREE not FEW

OK I should not do my blog when I am in a hurry. Laurie and Lily got a FREE coffee. Does my previous blog make sense now. I can't blame this one on the little men !!

FORGET ABOUT ROLL UP

Laurie and Lily decided they did not like playing "roll up" any more (something about "please play again") so they went to McDonalds and got a few coffee instead. I wonder if Lily will still try rolling it up??

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN

If you have followed my blog for any length of time you will likely know that in my opinion there are little men in my computer that like to mess around with my plans. Well they have reappeared!! This time they are only allowing me to do one picture at a time, so Nana will do what they say even if it means a bunch of posts about one subject. So here is 2 year old Jack with one of the Ciron/Allure puppies.

VISIT FROM GRANDCHILDREN

I have been trying to figure out how to sneak some pictures of a couple of our grandchildren into a blog about our kennel. The solution was to add a dog or two in the pictures. So, enjoy the pictures and thanks for letting "Nana" brag a little.

ROLL UP THE WHAT ??!!

Lily did not believe Laurie when she told her it wasn't a winning cup!!

NEW PUPPIES

Brighthope welcomes some new little Blues. Allure and Ciron gave us another lovely group of puppies on January 26th. This is a repeat breeding which produced a nice litter two years ago.

Allure is a "seasoned pro" with her babies and is very content with her motherly duties. Ciron on the other hand isn't quite sure what to think when I tell him he has 8 new kids to support. Actually I am very proud of the boy given the fact that he is 9 years old this month.

HELLO WINTER

I am not complaining, because it has been a good winter so far. But the chairs in Picardy Park really do look quite lonely.

The Blues of Brighthope really love Picardy Park and all the fresh snow. I like the fact that fresh snow means no mud being tracked into the house at the end of our walks.

Funny how that little puppy manages to get herself into the pictures. Stay warm, "CAUSE, BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE"

SOMETHING ABOUT JANUARY

For some reason when the Christmas decorations come down and the house looks a little bare without all the holiday colours, Dave seems to get an urge to complete another project. This year was no different and the kennel room floor was finally finished. The people at the flooring store where we bought the ceramic tile a "few" years ago just laugh now when they see us coming and ask "how much tile is left". I was happy to tell them this time that we are done, at least with this project.

Folks who have visited Brighthope to meet our dogs have commented about our renovation project. I am starting to think that this may turn into a retirement project. But I really should not complain, we have an ideal place for our dogs. They have their own kitchen, bathtub, laundry, grooming area etc. They do share our living room with us and I am just fine with that.