Ok things are ramping up here at the kennel. I have a spot saved for testing the first weekend in June. This will be either a NA test for Hope or if Bravo is ready I will run him in the UT test. Currently working on steadiness drills with Bravo and will have alot to cover to get him ready. Hope is really showing promise, she just needs to build up her search to 20 minutes. Her tracking,pointing, and swimming are all spot on. If you are already a owner of a Dancing Duke puppy, than you better get going on exposing him or her to the fields and water. If we can get 4 out of the 10 pups to get good scores in the NAVHDA natural ability test we will become the proud owners of a pup from the first NAVHDA Breeders Award to a litter of Bracco Italianos. Call if you have any questions.

This Easter comes early, along with mild temps in March. We usually have ice on the pond but blue skies and warm weather took care of that training issue. Hope cant stay out of the pond. Her strong retrieving desire carries her in over and over.

Its been three months since the pups first arrived. They are all in their new homes, with great owners, everywhere from the east coast to Houston up to Montana,and one went to Quebec And many points in between. I picked Hope for our addition to the Bracci family. Everyone has written to say that they are amazed at the short time potty training has taken. I was not that lucky with their mother Artie, she was raised in a wading pool in the living room. I suppose she thought poop and pee were meant to be done in a house…..The reference to Jan thaw would not be our mild winter it would be the relief of raising pups for 10 weeks and then being done. After the last two left, it was the same relief we feel in Michigan when we see the snow melt away and the grass shows through. Winter training is in full swing in the new kennel building. Little hope loves the training table already. Even though she thinks it is a jungle gym. She doesnt know that it will become her schoolhouse in a few short months.

Another round of pictures to round out the weekend! We know have four pups off to their new homes. Dad left with Hazel and Hugo late this morning. Before he left, however, we gave all the pups some time to play outside in the little amount of snow we had. Enjoy!

Well, two of ten pups are off to their new home. To get them ready for the car trip, my younger sister Jessi gave Harper and Halo their first bath:

They were not big fans and tried to hop out of the tub. They did much better with the car ride down to Illinois. It was sad to see them go, but we know they are off to great homes.

I had to work in VA for the past week. I barley recognized them. some of them slept thru my homcoming. But only for a second.

Kelsey here. I have whole slew of new pictures! I hadn’t seen the pups for two weeks myself and I’m pretty sure they’ve doubled in size. They’re so cute and so eager to just be played with, held and cuddled. It was actually a bit challenging to take pictures since everyone wanted to be right by me! Without further ado, here’s the pups:

Kelsey checking in with a small picture my Dad took before he left. Now that mom’s away the pups decided they liked her bed better! I can’t wait to head home and see them tomorrow. I’ll be sure to take pictures of everyone.

This past week when the pups turned 7 weeks, I had to travel to my other home/office in Virginia. The ride down was a little rough on her as she swelled up with milk and was a bit nervous. We also took Gracie and Bravo. She is doing fine now and playing with them just like old times. My wife Sue is stepping up to the plate again and has taken over the brood. Her first day of watching and feeding was a episode out a comedy. It started with her filling the dry food container with water( it looks just like the water container) and it proceeded to flood the whelping room. Then the next day the pups over turned the real water container. I think they just liked the feel of water all over the floor. probably were running and sliding until the next time Sue checked on them. My daughter Kelsey will be home this Sunday to help out and get some new pictures posted. Thanks for checking in, Ron