Friday, September 12, 2008

In Memory of Emma





Hello My Friends,
Today has not been the best day, I'm writing with a heavy heart...we lost our Emmy dog today. She has been struggling with spinal pain and today I made the decision that I couldn't let her suffer. This is a wierd thing to write in a card blog, but I know you won't mind me sharing this with you.

I'd like to tell you Emma's story. In 2000, I became ill and unable to work, I was very down and needed a "lift" in my life. For some reason, I decided to look up the Dauschund Rescue Mission on the internet. There were several dogs...and then there was "Emma". I melted when I saw her picture and after reading her history, I knew that I had to save her. An Animal Shelter in Massachusetts had been reported for mistreating animals. A Humane Society Representative went in undercover and she walked in and said she heard her screeching before she saw her, but she looked up and there was Emma...with a noose around her neck! She was hanging from a hook in the ceiling and a man was shocking her with a cattle prod!! She was guess-timated to be 1 year old and had 5 puppies. He killed the puppies, and then did this to poor Mama Emma. To make a very long story short...she was rescued along with the other animals and the Shelter Owner is still serving a 10 year sentence in prison. When I emailed about her, the gal that saved her, called me. She explain how traumatized Emma was and that she was very fearful around men. DUHHH! Ofcourse she was!! If that happened to me, I'd be afraid of men, too!

I was living in Upstate New York at the time and the gal told me she would drive half way and meet me. A friend drove me down and when I saw Emma, all I said was "that's no purebred doxie"! I didn't care, incidently, and continued to walk over and meet her. I sat down on a rock and Emma and I got acquainted. As soon as our eyes met...it was sealed. She was very scared, but she trusted me. Needless to say, Emma came to live with me and my other doggie kids, Patches & Spooky. She fit in perfectly and we had a bond like I've never had with any other dog. She was my lap dog from then on...wherever I was, Emmy was. She gave me the love and company I needed to feel better, and I gave her the love that She needed to trust again. We were a great match.

When Scotty and I married, Me and the 3 "girls" ofcourse moved to Nova Scotia to be with him. She loved her Dad and for some reason wasn't afraid of him.

She's been with me 8 years now, but the story wasn't all roses....Emma had 3 herniated discs in her neck, which over time, started putting a very bad strain on her back. And as you can see by her pic on the dock, she became very sway-back...she started having lots of pain and her hind legs weren't supporting her good, and her toes would drag...she became scared and hid alot. She started clicking her jaws together and grinding her teeth and yesterday she started pacing, pacing...plodding along.... I knew the end was near for her. I took her to our wonderful vet, Sue, and She confirmed my fears...the teeth clicking and grinding, the pacing and hiding, are all signs of pain with anxiety from the pain. Her pain meds were no longer cutting it. So, I did the hardest thing I've done in a long time...

All I can say is Emmy gave me so much love and joy, and now it was time for me to give her peace from all this pain. So I did and she's no longer hurting.

Thanks Everyone, for "listening" and letting me share Emmy with you.
I will post cards soon. hugs to all,

To Emmy Doo, ...You will forever be in my heart and we will love and miss you always. Goodbye my friend...

12 comments:

Shirley said...

I am so so sorry, Ret! I can't even imagine. I do know what it is to lose a dog. It's like a member of the family. I am so so sorry, but glad that now she is doing whatever she wants and helping others wherever she is now.

christina d said...

I feel your pain. The love a dog gives is unconditional and is the best thing in the world. If someone gets upset about your post, shame on them. I hope everything goes well with you.

Jacqueline said...

(((Hugs))) I know the pain of losing a pet.

Me, My Stamps and I said...

So sorry about Emma, my heart goes to you.. take acre and hang in there.tfs:)
chat

Barb Hardeman said...

I am in tears as I read the story of your sweet Emma! I really feel your pain, but I'm so thankful that you were loving enough to feel her's and help her come to a quiet end of it. You are such a special lady, full of compassion and kindness. May God give you the comfort you need at this time and also fill the space Emma has left behind. Many jewels in your crown my dear friend...

Unknown said...

I, too, have a little Doxie and there is no friend like them. They are always loyal and true. I can imagine how terrible you feel and may it help that there are others that feel your pain too. Hugs.

Pat

Shirley said...

I know this is a hard time Ret. I have something for you at my blog.
http://cardartetc.blogspot.com/

Julia Aston said...

I'm so glad you shared your lovely story about Emma - how wonderful for her that she found you to care for her after her traumatic time.

You made the right decision for Emma - too often we keep our pets because 'we' can't bear it without them - not thinking that we are causing them to suffer for our selfishness.

I'm sure your wonderful memories of her companionship will help you get through this terrible loss - and Emma is certainly finally at peace and pain free now!

Terri said...

I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you. I am glad you were able to give her a good life after all the horror she went through. I know you will always miss her but at least you know she is not suffering anymore and will always have good memories of her.
By the way I tagged you on my blog if you want to play along.

Anonymous said...

My heart broke reading your story about your precious Emma. I am just so glad that you and your hubby made the past years of her life so happy and filled with love. Thank you for your lovely e-mail.

Marilyn Goodrich said...

God bless sweet Emma! You were so wonderful to rescue her from such an awful situation. I have a soft spot in my heart for dauschunds so I went "awwwww" immediately when I saw her sweet face. I hope your remaining pets don't her miss her TOO much!

Anonymous said...

Ret:

My heart goes out to you. I had Sparky for 14 years, and I am amazed at how much Sparky and Emma look alike! The same loving face, short and stocky, and full of love for family.

Thanks for sharing your story, and reminding me of how much I loved my little Sparky dog.