Emma

Angella and Emma

“I grew up on a farm with plenty of cats and dogs. But I had no idea of my capacity to love until Emma came into my life.”

Beautiful Emma

It was late 2010. Angella and her husband were trying to get pregnant. “I needed to nurture something,” remembers Angella. And until she was actually pregnant (if/when she actually became pregnant), she needed to love.

And so it was, on October 25, 2010, Emma, a fluffy, 8 week old CavaChon (King Cavalier Spaniel and Bichon) pranced into her heart.

Angella was elated. Emma was the softest, easiest, sweetest baby she could ever imagine loving. Well, a baby with a tail, that is. Emma was young and spry. Although she was a tiny little ball of animated fur, Emma brought boundless love into Angella’s life.

As she grew, Emma’s internal and external beauty - blossomed. Angella couldn’t help but adorn her with colorful collars, bows, and flowers. Emma became a fashionista and garnered many jolly comments from on lookers.

Emma loves a party

Then Angella became pregnant. Was it Emma? Was she secretly a stork? Did bringing Emma into their lives ensure Angella would become pregnant? Angella couldn’t prove it, but all paws point to the fact that once Emma joined their family, Angella did get pregnant.

The holidays of 2011 were like a dream come true. No. Not “like.” It was a dream come true. After she admired the Christmas tree, Angella put her newborn baby Olivia down in her crib. She then turned to her other infant and lifted Madelyn into her arms. Emma watched closely. Angella sat surrounded by her newborn twin girls and Emma. Life was good. Angella had struck the Good Loving Jackpot and created what she needed most: beautiful, sacred souls to nurture.

Angella’s girls

The twins and Emma grew together - playing, snuggling, and loving each other. Because they were young and small, the girls and Emma learned how to be gentle, when use an “inside” voice, and when it was time to play. Emma learned her boundaries, too.

The truth is simple: Emma is a beauty. Angella could not resist donning her with holiday attire. Olivia and Madelyn were especially excited when Emma returned from the groomer with a tail of rainbow colors.

Emma brings color to Angella’s life

Raising twin girls and a puppy would be a major task for anyone. Yet Emma ensured the journey was joyful for everyone. She was never nippy or aggressive with the girls. Sometimes, if Angella was distracted, she would look around and discover the twins playing quietly with Emma. It would melt her heart, again and again.

Let’s go to the beach!

Soon Angella discovered that Emma is quite the rock climber. It started with a trip to Willow River National Park. What began as a nice hike in a nice park ended with Emma diving into the lake with uninhibited glee. She swam and swam. When she had her fill of the water, Emma continued her glee spree and headed straight into the sand on the beach. She rolled left and right and stuffed her nose deep in the damp sand. She looked up at Angella who was simply shaking her head.

Emma’s happy place

“You are lucky you are so beautiful,” exclaimed Angella as she tried to brush off a clump of sand and twig from Emma’s behind area. Somehow, her stunning red rose collar was not destroyed. Emma knew that a bath was probably in her future. But she didn’t care. This was the best day…ever. Emma slept for two days.

Happy Emma

Emma’s good fortune continued as she met all her “cousins.” Within Angella’s family - mom, brother, et al - there are five dogs which may create chaos for humans, yet it’s a happy holiday for the canines. Franky, an Irish Setter cousin took a shine to Emma. They became fast cousin/friends.

Emma loved Lucy

But Lucy was Emma’s BFF. She was a neighbor dog, so they were able to frolic frequently.  Sadly, Lucy passed recently, leaving a hole in Emma’s heart. She just misses hanging out together.

Pretty Emma with her purple flower collar

At 24.5 pounds, Emma is the “Goldilocks” size: not too big and not too small. She loves napping on the back edge of the sofa, if she’s not following Angella around the house. Emma’s health has been remarkably good and only now, at 13 plus years on, have her joints begun to bother her. Going up and down stairs is especially challenging. A heart murmur will also be watched carefully. Thankfully, the staff at Carver Lake Veterinary Center have provided medication to easy her stiffness. Everyone is grateful for that.

If one of the girls isn’t feeling well, Emma is there to help. If someone is struggling with homework, Emma is there to help. If a special day has dawned, Emma is there to help celebrate.

Emma loves being loved

Angella is the first to admit that Emma brought more than joy to all of their lives. She was the spark that helped flame the fire of this very loved family.