Five years ago when I visited Kathy Nixon’s house to meet the wild and
energetic Merlin, I had no idea I would drive home with the sweet and loving
Emmie in my car instead. But something about her gentle eyes and sunny
disposition spoke to me, and I couldn’t leave without her. Emmie’s
background, like a lot of our rescued dogs, was very sad. In 2002 she had
been found living under a house and was in very poor condition with skin
problems, shaved fur, and teeth worn down to nubs from chewing on the chain
that tied her down. She was adopted into a loving family, but unfortunately
their circumstances changed and once again Emmie found herself in the care
of GRRCC. It was only meant to be that she came home with me in June of
2003.
We had some immediate ‘challenges’ with Emmie (a.k.a. "Emmie Lou",
sometimes shortened to just "Lou") and her counter-surfing in those early
days. After a midnight snack of marbles (from the vase knocked off the
kitchen table) she had her first ER visit which lead to an unplanned
surgery…and much additional baby-proofing of our home.
In
the nearly five years we had her in our home, she was an absolute joy. With
the arrival of our newborn daughter in 2005, we welcomed a new family member
for Emmie to love and protect. We never once had to worry about Emmie being
around Lauren – aside from the fact that she had no teeth, she was the
sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever known in my life.
Emmie was my ‘velcro dog’. Everywhere I went, she would follow. I could
move two feet away and she would get up and reposition herself right by me.
She kept me company during the day while I worked. She loved riding in the
car and accompanied us on many trips to visit family, and at least once a
day would ride with me to Lauren’s school or to run errands. She would bark
at anyone and everyone (furry or not) that walked past our house. And her
desire for people-food was well communicated to us with those big brown eyes
and their sweet white eyelashes. Despite her lack of teeth, stuffed animals
stood no chance with her.
Emmie’s last visit
with the vet was not a good one, and we knew our time with her was limited.
We spent the last few months loving every inch of her and making sure she
knew how much she was going to be missed. On May 15th we said our
final goodbyes to our dear Emmie and laid her to rest. Our home hasn’t been
the same since.
I wonder sometimes who needs who more. We like to tell ourselves that it
is us taking care of our pets, but you realize once they are gone that we
needed them way more than they ever needed us.
We love and miss you Emmie.
