Our dear Emma

We have had dogs and cats over the years. Losing them is always devastating to our little farm household. Their spirits are so woven into the rhythm of our days. Our Emma Rose was  entwined into every inch of this place and every person who set foot here. 

From the time Emma came home with us 10 years ago she had a keen sense of place. She found her spot, she recognized she was home. And she recognized that from the looks of us we sure needed her help. Emma went everywhere with us no matter the weather. She surveyed her land, supervised the work and tried to keep track of everyone. She took her responsibility to heart.

She greeted everyone with her big goofy smile which she employed so vigorously that the curl of her lip made her whiskers tickle her nose....and then the sneezing began. Smiling, sneezing, wagging and whimpering with excitement is how our extended farm family was welcomed. Once you were hers you were hers and she remembered you and she loved you and she looked after you. She took you to heart.

Our hearts are sorely broken as we lost our dear Emma this week. She had such spunk we were certain she would be with us longer. She developed an autoimmune anemia and passed in our arms on the day we were to begin treatment for her. A very short, sudden illness, she did not seem to be in pain. Eric and I both held her in her spot at the top of the stairs.