Sweet Emmy Lou

Twelve years ago a litter of tiny puppies made their way into the world. In that particular batch was an exquisite little girl destined to live her life with our family. She was so tiny and so perfect. Chosen to be a mate to our Oscar. I was totally smitten with Oscar. So much so, that I wanted a wife dog for him and a million little Oscars and Emmy's to award the world with.

When we arrived at the breeders home there were many miniature breeds to choose from, but I had my heart set on one that would match my Oscar. And that is how she was chosen by he who loves dogs as much as I do. She was so tiny that she rode home in his shirt pocket. I was busy reassuring my Oscar that he was still my most favorite dog in the world. He still believes this to be a truth today. Emmy was to be the dog of my husband. I already had three and they were all loyal to me first. My Collie protected me, the Saint Bernard ignored him, and Oscar was my baby.

Emmy changed the order of things in our lives from the start. She managed to be every body's favorite. She was happy to be loved by the one holding her. She was the puppy our old Saint never had. Louise loved her little charge and Emmy returned the favor by grooming the ears of all the dogs in our house. A vet once told me I had the cleanest ears of any dogs he had ever seen. There were times when I was afraid she had actually entered Louise's head.

Emmy gave birth to three little girls and they all found good homes where they were loved as much as Emmy and Oscar are. I was smitten with my tiny girl by then and wanted some pups that looked more like her, since all three of her puppies looked exactly like Oscar. We found a long hair doxie weighing in at 4 lbs (she weighed 6 lbs.) for her to mate with, but he died before they had a chance. Then Emmy jumped from the couch and broke her back. It was just not meant to be.

Emmy died this afternoon. She had been in pain for quite some time. Emmy never complained. Even when she had surgery and had to learn to use her legs again. But this past weekend she would cry out occasionally when she was being lifted or another dog would get too close. Last night she whimpered all night. She could not seem to get comfortable, even when I held her.

She fell asleep in my arms in the car. I think that was the only sleep she got in the past 24 hours. I held her while she went to sleep for the last time. I know I did the right thing, but my heart is broken today and I am missing her sweet presence.