Emma Jean picked me - not the other way around. There was a place where I was taken out in the country where I was to meet my new dog. Everyone pointed to a nice black Lab, but there at my feet - chewing on my shoelaces - was Emma. And that pretty much was our introduction - and boding of things to come. For you see, Emma wasn't just a Service Dog - she was pure joy wrapped in a Yellow Lab suit. She would never leave my side until that horrible morning when we had to say goodbye.



Trying to describe Emma is like trying to describe Heaven - or Hell - depending upon what she was up to on any given day. If I went with someone and left her behind, she let me know in no uncertain terms that she was NOT pleased! The garbage would be tipped, bags would be strewn about the house, the bed unmade with pillows tossed about and Emma would firmly plant her body against the door. That was so she could give me a stern warning about MY unacceptable behavior.



But when she was in her cape, her entire demeanor changed. She became a calm, obedient girl who was at my side like glue. No one could guess, when she had her cape on, that without it she would run with the wind, her tail turning like a propeller. She loved balls and never tired of retrieving a ball. But if a ball wasn't available, hey! A stick or stone or even a found horseshoe would do just fine, thank you very much!  



At night, I was comforted by her presence. I always felt safe with her spine pressed firmly against mine. I know, I know...she wasn't supposed to be on the bed...but it made both of us feel better, so why not? When we were out, I felt protected and safe. She let me know if someone was around she did NOT like and she would make sure she was right under me if I fell - which I did quite a bit. I had plenty of bumps, bruises and cuts to show for my falls - but it would have been much worse had Emma not been there to soften that fall. How on earth did she KNOW????



The last few years of her life, she went blind and became deaf and suffered from a host of serious illnesses. Three or four times, she visited the brink of death. To the Vet's amazement, she always pulled through. I believed it was due to her deep and abiding love for me. We had a special bond, we two.



But she could not resist the spirit's call this last time. She went into seizures, which were horrible, and within a few hours, she was gone - but her spirit had left her body hours prior. It was sudden and cruel and I so wanted to see yet another miracle...Emma had come through so much. Why not this time, too?



But it wasn't to be. It was her time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. As I held her tight, I asked my dad to come get her. I told her about people I'd loved and were now in Heaven - that maybe they needed her and she could help. There was my mom and dad, several aunts and uncles I loved dearly, two of my sisters and a granddaughter. I told her all about everyone.



And ever so slowly and softly, her head rested heavier and heavier upon my arm and she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I hope not alone....She never did like to be alone. Any better than I did...



I brought her home. She was buried with her favorite toys and sent on her Spirit journey with many tears...and I think I miss her more this week than last.