Emma's Back Home

The Animal Clinic called about 9:30 AM and said that Emma was ready to come home. We went and got her and she is doing fine. She made friends with all the doctors and veterinary technicians at the Animal Clinic, and won all of their hearts. She has a little incision about 2 or 2 1/2 inches long on her belly. She does not seem to be in any pain and does not act like I would expect anyone to act who just had a complete hysterectomy. I guess dogs are tougher than us humans. I am supposed to keep her from running and jumping; right! I really missed the little booger last night but I guess she was somewhere in lala land sleeping off her pain medications. They said that she ate her breakfast, went outside and did her business, and acted like nothing had happened. We go back in ten days to get the stitches out. Thank God that everything went as planned and she is back in our home again.

Spay / Neuter

Tomorrow is the big day, we take Emma in at 8:30 AM to be spayed. It is a big decision, and I hope that I am making the right decision. It would be great to raise a litter of pups and find good homes but I don't know if I could handle eight or ten little Emma's running around the house. It gives me chills just thinking about it. They are such soft sweet bundles of love and joy that can get into everything. But, I believe that for every dog that is rescued from a shelter or adopted from a rescue group is one more life than can live out to its fullest potential. If I have Emma spayed it will open up eight or ten slots for a dog to be adopted. A lot of people don't realize that 25% of all shelter dogs are full blooded purebred dogs. They may or may not have papers but there is no mistake that they are full blooded. So I guess we will do the right thing. She will have to stay overnight at the Vets. I hate that but I understand that they want to make sure they don't jump and run around right after the surgery. I will be on pins and needles until she is back home. We got Emma a certificate for spaying through the Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation and Dr. Tate, a wonderful veterinarian at the Riverview Animal Clinic will be doing the surgery. FCDF provides spay / neuter certificates at affordable prices and they are honored by veterinarians all over the greater Birmingham area. It would be hard for us to afford this surgery without the help of the FCDF. They can be reached at http://www.fcdf.org/nspay.php3 if you happen to live in our area. I will post more on Saturday after Emma comes back home.

A dog is like an eternal Peter Pan, a child who never grows old and who, therefore, is always available to love and be loved.

Today would have been Megan's 11th birthday had she lived. It has just been a little over five months since her death. I am so grateful having Emma to come and share our lives. We miss Megan dearly but know that she is no longer suffering. Emma is getting so big and will be eight months old in another 11 days.

Emma looking stately

I was laying on the couch and noticed Emma looking back toward the kitchen. She looked so good, I got out my cell phone and snapped this picture of her. I can't believe I actually got it before she moved. She is 7 months old now and is getting so big. She is almost as tall as Jordan.

An Afternoon in Orr Park

This afternoon Emma got her nails trimmed and it took three vet tech's to hold her still. She also got a microchip so if she ever gets lost we will be able to ID her. On the way home, as a reward, we stopped at Orr Park in Montevallo. This park allows dogs as long as they are on a leash. I am also under doctors orders to walk everyday so this was perfect for everyone. Here are some shots I took on the cell phone as we walked through the park. When you see the scruffy old guy with the back brace and the beard it will be me and my friends.

Update

It has been a little over five weeks since I last posted to our blog. I have been recovering from back surgery and it has been slow going. Emma is doing fine and is now up to about 50 pounds. She has so much energy and can run and jump like a pony. She loves to play in her wading pool. She puts her head under the water and blows bubbles from her nose. She met her first toad the other night and was very interested in this strange creature. Emma will be somewhere around seven months old at the end of this month (since she was a rescue we will never know what her exact birthday was but the vet estimates this based on the development of her teeth), and it is getting to be time to have her spayed. I hate to have to leave her overnight at the clinic. She will probably be a much better patient than I was at the hospital. She is at the back door right now chasing flies that have gotten into the house. I still have a problem with her biting and jumping which is going to have to be addressed. Perhaps a obedience class at Pet Smart might be a good idea. Since I have been home for the last five weeks, we are beginning to bond more closely. She is discovering that it is nice to have someone scratch your back and rub under your chin. She sleeps beside me in her crate every night but is an early riser. I have really missed taking pictures and videos and posting them to the blog. Hopefully in a few more weeks I can get some more good action shots. It is kind of hard to hold the camera wearing a back brace and using a cane. My lovely wife has posted a few new pictures to her blog if anyone would like to check them out.

Abby and Emma

Abby came to visit Emma for four days earlier this week. There is about three months difference in age and of course are the best of friends. They played together from morning to night. Here is a short video clip of them playing together.

As a note, I am going to have back surgery next week so it may be a little while before I am able to post again.

A Little Over a Month

We have had Emma now for a little over a month. We are uncertain of her exact age but we guess she is somewhere about five months old give or take a month. She has gained 10 pounds and seems to have gotten a foot taller. Her coat is very soft and shiny, along with her perfectly white teeth. She is getting much better about letting me sleep late. She is still a furry ball of energy who loves to run, romp and play. She has started digging in the last few days and is still having occasional accidents in the house. She gets into everything and if it can be chewed on, she will do it. Her favorite place is still in front of the fireplace on the cool slate hearth. Matter of fact, she is there sleeping right now. We have switched her over to Science Diet Large Puppy Food and so far has made the switch without any gastric upset. She went to the Vet last Tuesday and got the remainder of her puppy shots so now she is good to go with the next event being spayed in August or September. Having a puppy again has been a challenge but it has showed me that I have much more patience this time around and realizing that most of the accidents are due to my lack of attention. We seem to have a great relationship and she is starting to learn that it is fun to just cuddle up and be rubbed rather than chewing on my hand. I still miss Megan very much but am thankful for the opportunity I have been given to let a new little life into our home.

Funeral for a Friend

We went to the Hiwassee River in North Carolina on July 16, 2008, to have a funeral for two really great Golden Retrievers, Megan and Ally. Megan was born on October 12, 1997 and crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 10, 2008. Her puppy Ally was born on June 16, 1999 and crossed the Rainbow Bridge ahead of her mother on April 6, 2008. We traveled to the river because it was their favorite place and we decided that it would be appropriate to sprinkle their ashes into the river. An Episcopalian Priest lead a small service followed by the sprinkling of their ashes, followed by Rose Petals, White Roses, Daylilies, and assorted wild flowers. The Roses were for their never ending love and purity and the wild flowers were for their wild hearts. They can forever romp and run in the place they loved the most. We say goodbye to two wonderful dogs. They will remain in our hearts forever and hopefully some day we can meet again when we also cross the Rainbow Bridge.

If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

The River

This was Emma's first trip to the Hiwassee River in North Carolina. She is definitely a swimmer and totally not afraid of the water. She saw her first Ducks and Geese and met her new friend Abby. Abby has on the red bandanna and is almost 8 months old. Emma has on the blue. Jordan is just standing by watching the kids make total fools of themselves. The top picture is Jordan and Emma on the trip home.

3 Weeks tomorrow!

Emma will have been with us three weeks tomorrow, and she is growing like a weed. I swear that she has grown a foot. She now leaps and bounds over and onto everything with the greatest of ease. She is so full of energy. She plays and plays until she wears herself out and then naps and repeats the cycle. She is like a toddler, when it becomes quiet and you can't see her, you know she is into something that she shouldn't be in. Potty training is coming along with occasional accidents in the front hall. At least it is stone, so it is pretty easy to clean up. She is so intelligent and aware of everything going on around her. She is interested in everything and loves to explore. We still only allow her access to the front of the house. She will have to earn her freedom as time goes by. She still protest when she goes into the crate, but settles down quickly. She is a very early riser and interrupts my sleep cycle almost daily. She wants to get her mouth on everything. I know that this is a puppy thing and while I will be glad when she out grows this stage, I don't want her to grow up too fast as their time on earth is much too short anyway.

Emma and the plastic bottle

Here is a little 15 second video of Emma with a plastic bottle, tearing around the yard. Notice the brown spots under the swing where she has ripped the grass out by the roots and started digging toward China. I wonder if I could get her to dig where I want to plant a Willow Tree?

Emma has been doing much better on her house training. She has now started going to the back door and barking when she wants out. She gets up between 5:30 and 6:00 AM and is ready to go. I stumble out with her and get her business done and try to coax her back into her crate for a couple more hours of sleep. Today she would have none of it. I finally gave up and stayed up with her. Then she wore herself out and we both went back to sleep, her on the fireplace hearth and me on the couch.

The world is such a wondrous place for her with so many places and things to explorer. I watch her with awe, wondering what is going on in her mind.

Emma

Emma is caught between Cyndi's legs while she tries to get at Jordan's food.

She is being a little angel asleep on the couch. A dog always gets the most comfortable spot in the house.

Emma is outside wanting in, patiently waiting for someone to come to the door.

"Angel" Megan

This is my very best friend in the whole world Megan who was born on October 12, 1997 and crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 10, 2008.

After I lost Megan my heart was broken beyond repair. I was very sad and got weepy eyed at the mention of her name. We had so many good times together. I celebrate her life but my heart ached for her and I missed her so much.

Well shortly after Megan's death I signed up on Petfinder.com to look at Golden Retrievers who were available for adoption from shelters in my area. On Thursday, June 19, 2003 I got a notice that a 4 - 6 month old Golden Retriever female called "No Name" was available in the Chilton County Humane Society in Clanton, Al. I was sure that this bundle of joy was sent to me by my "Angel" Megan to heal my broken heart. I called the shelter and they confirmed that she was there and available for adoption. I immediately went to work on my sweet wife Cyndi in hopes that she would give me her blessing, which of course she did. On Friday I turned in an application for adoption but again my hopes were dashed when I was told that there was a lot of interest in the bundle of joy that I had already named Emma. They said that she had been moved from the Humane Society to a local veterinarian's office to insure that she stayed in good health. I was also told that she could not be adopted until Monday, June 23rd. I called again on Saturday and was told that they had received good reports from our references and that we would be called on Monday to come and adopt Emma. My heart was overjoyed! I wish to thank my "Angel" Megan and the fine people at Petfinder.com and the Chilton County Humane Society for making this all happen. Emma has been with us for 8 days now and has filled a void that was left in my heart.

Cool Spot

This is Emma's favorite spot. I guess it is because the slate tiles are cool. When she slows down, I can usually find her on the fireplace hearth.

We have had her now for a little over 8 days. We are doing better on our house training but still have little mistakes. Yesterday I finally broke down and shampooed the carpet. I think I will just keep the machine close by just in case.

Today I am going to the pet store to get a clicker. Hopefully this will allow me to get her attention (other than yelling at her) when she does something wrong.

One minute you can be angry with her and the next she looks at you with those sad puppy eyes and it melts your heart. How can you possibly be angry with something so precious that God has created. I feel that a dog is special as God used his own name backwards for this special creature.

Emma's - Wags her tail with her heart!

Such an angel when she is asleep but watch out when she is awake. I should have named her Double Trouble, she is into everything. She has got to have something in her mouth every waking minute. So far I have been able to rescue most things but you can't let her out of your site.

We still have a ways to go on potty training. She had several accidents yesterday but I have been home this morning and able to watch her closer. So far so good!

Dogs: God's way of showing us how to be happy.

Days 3 and 4

Each day she is getting better and better with her potty training. So far today we have not had any accidents. I am keeping my fingers crossed. She is so inquisitive! It can be a bird flying over or something as simple as a fly. She has eyes like a hawk. It is exciting to watch her experience new things for the first time. This morning I heard a lot of barking and carrying on and she was standing on the bed looking at herself in the mirror.

She is on the couch asleep next to Cyndi as I write. But when she wakes up watch out. She is into everything. She has two speeds, high and off. Today she was carrying my lunch box around. I guess she thought I had brought her a present when I got home from work.

She sleeps all through the night and is having no problems with the crate, but she wants to put her mouth on everything. I am giving her lots of chew toys but every so often I catch her with some forbidden fruit and have to rescue it from her clutches. I would post more pictures but usually all I get is a blur, as she moves before the camera can focus.

Our first full day

She slept her first night all night long (about 8 hours) and did not mess her crate. She has had several accidents today but we are trying really hard. She is asleep right now and looks like a little angel. We have an appointment at the Vets this afternoon to get started on all of her shots. When she is awake she is into everything. I have given her a rawhide bone which keeps her occupied for a while, and of course she has all kinds of dog toys. She has already torn up the newspaper and chewed up a small bamboo plant. You have to watch her like a hawk. She was out in the back yard smelling a flower and the next thing I new she took a big bite out of it.

Did I mention that I discovered that she was left at the Humane Society at night in one of their drop off cages. I can't believe that someone would throw away something so precious. I will definitely make up for lost time and shower her with love and affection.

She has been asleep for about an hour now so I better go wake her up or she won't sleep tonight.

We went to the Vet and she was a big hit with with all of the Vet Techs. She got her rabies and parvo shot, got her heartworm preventive and flea treatment. They checked her over for worms, and pronounced her fit as a fiddle. The Vet figures that she is somewhere around four months old so we still have got a couple of months till she will be spayed. We got her an ID Tag (purple) and a shiny new rabies tag. She is now a big girl. Three more weeks and back to the Vet for another parvo booster shot.

One last stop at PetSmart for a teething toy. Once again she was a hit in the store. We are now home and she is once again into everything. We have a long way to go on the potty training but she is pretty smart and will learn fast. She has found a new playmate in Jordan. I hope that it keeps him young.

Emma's Video

She is a little wet from playing in the hose while Mom was watering flowers.

Today's the day!

Well, today is the day. I got the call this morning from the Humane Society that we had been chosen and we could come and pickup our 20 pound bundle of love (Emma) anytime. It was a long day, I did not get off work until 3 PM but some good friends let me get off about 2:30 PM and it was off to the shelter to get Emma.

Emma had been moved to a Veterinary Clinic by the Golden Retriever Rescue Service so that she would not get sick. We had to go to the Humane Society first and pay the adoption fee and then we were off to the animal hospital to pick up our new bundle of joy.

When we got there we had a surprise, they had given her a bath and she was all cleaned up and ready to go. Jordan met his new step sister in the waiting room and tails began to wag. They both hit if off from the start. Jordan just could not get enough of this little sweet bundle of energy.

She rode back home in my lap while my wife drove. She was so interested in everything going on around her. She did not get car sick but she was so excited that she did have a small accident in my lap.

We got back to town and she got to meet her step brother Barkley. Once again it was all wagging tails and lots of licking.

We finally made it back home and she got to explore the back yard and have fun with the water hose. We moved into the house and there were even more things to check out. We had one more accident in the house but otherwise she has been a really good girl. She was so tired but refused to give in to sleep.

Next we are going to settle in for the night and I will be introducing her to her new crate. Wish us luck.