Dream Achieved - or At Least It's Begun

 When I lost my Duffy when he was only 8 years old, I decided I really wanted to learn how to be a responsible breeder of Scottish Terriers.  

Ten years later, I have my first litter.  Two fat little Scottish Terrier pups (named for some favorites in the Niner Universe) - one male and one female.  One is a Brindle, the other Black.  

My Lola, the mama of these two little porkers, is doing well considering she is a maiden bitch.  It is her first litter, it is my first litter and together we are surrounded by amazing people helping us out one day (or night) at a time.

I achieved the start of my dream.  

And yes, as you might guess, it is bittersweet.

My immediate family is gone.  I have imagined what it would be like right now if they were alive.

My Mom would, of course, be pitching in any way she could.  She'd be taking turns watching the pups, helping with fundamental feeding, looking stuff up in Encyclopedias about Dog Birthing...anything she could do? She'd do.

My Dad would be sitting in the livingroom, questioning everything I was doing and telling all my friends that he was the one who got me into Dog Breeding in the first place.  He'd be telling tall tales about his exploits in the AKC and having a great time.  Dad would never let an opportunity to steal thunder or tell a tall tale go to waste.

My Brother would be criticizing everything I had bought - the whelping bed, the mats, the puppy pads - and telling me that he and his wife just let a dog be a dog and that I was making too big a deal out of it.

In other words, only my Mom would have been supportive - so tell me why I miss my Dad and my Brother?

I think this whole experience is teaching me the true meaning of 'Life Goes On'.  I am doing what I wanted to do, what I worked towards doing and I am learning as much as I can so the next one I can do better.  I am doing it without the normal folderol.  Instead I am truly standing on my own.

Of course I have wonderful family members congratulating me and such dear, DEAR friends supporting me.  I am NOT doing this all alone and I am so grateful to all of them: Joanne, Danica, Nicole, Adrian, Pam....ALL of them....they have been so good to me while I stumble and cry and laugh my way through this new adventure.

I am amazed....and I am only half way through this maze of newness....but I am already amazed.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me do this - you know exactly who you are....and I love you.