Emily

We were so excited to get a dog! I had one as a kid, but he was more my dad's dog, so this was the first time I had a dog of my own. It was a hard adjustment to having the responsibility of another being in our home. We didn't have kids yet (I had no clue what responsibility would eventually feel like!) But we were happy to expand our family.

When TJ left for Iraq, Emily went with me to Vermont. She went to work with me and ran along as I rode horses. She would chase the cats and anything else that ran. She got hit by a porcupine once.. but let us get all the quills out with hardly a flinch. She went for my miles-long walks several times a week all through the hard winters, she even went with me when I skied. She loved my dad and his truck and would sleep for hours when he let her in it. We would have to pull her out. She loved swimming and barking at me when my horses got too fast on the lunge line.

When we had kids, she was watchful, gentle and allowed them to do their worst! Pulled ears, yanked tail, patting that was more a slap.. Nothing phased her. She let them sit on her, put their feet on her and chase her, but she happily let them. She was a perfect kid dog with no hint of aggression. She would even let them mess with her food while she ate.. They ate some of it from time to time too!

As she got older, she got less attention from us as ours was taken up by four little ones, but we still loved her dearly and wanted the best for her. Moving was getting harder for her and she really needed a quieter life. We re-homed her before this last move to give her that calmer and quieter existence.. She was very pampered and content with a doting owner and puppy pal.

Sadly, Lindsey called me to tell me Emily was sick. The extent was much worse than we originally thought. Failing kidneys and cancer, so Lindsey made the decision to let Emily go painlessly. However, she was unable to complete the task herself, so I volunteered.

The kiddos and I got to spend some time with her before saying goodbye.  Then I took her for her last drive. She could barely walk, wouldn't eat, could barely wag her tail to show us she knew us. But I know she was happy to be with us one last time.

She went peacefully and fast, quietly sleeping her longest sleep.
But this is how we will remember her: Happy and full of life in a field of flowers.

Creations By Jess