He was lost until he found us. My mom opened her car door one night in 1995 and he hopped in, ready to go for a ride. He was floppy and gray, and super psyched about car rides. There was no owner in sight. Mom drove around slowly looking for someone who might be looking. Emmett, as he came to be known, hung his head out the window, and his tongue out of his mouth. The next day, she put postings up at the Humane Society, vets, groomers, and pet stores. He was such a nice dog! Someone must have been missing him. But no one was, until today. Today we are missing him very, very much.
We had Emmett put to sleep today. You may know him from his appearance in "A Gay in the Life" and my very first blog, Indulging Our Pets. He came to live with me seven years ago. I was away at school when my mom found him, but the moment we met, it was like kindred souls reuniting. He greeted me like he knew me, and he followed me around the whole time I was home. He moved in with my grandparents shortly after Mom found him, and he shared a similar bond with my grandfather. He took Emmett's picture with him to the hospital every time he went in, and the ICU let Emmett visit. On Grandpa's deathbed, it was obvious to him who should take care of Emmett. I promised I would.
He was so much work, and he was so expensive in his old age. As I wrote in my first blog, having pets is a luxury that requires a fair amount of disposable income. But the love of a pet, the undying loyalty they show to end, is worth every penny and all the heartache of losing them. Emmett licked the tears from my face when I took him to be euthanized. He was very sick, and still all he cared about was making me feel better...or maybe salt. Tears are salty, and he was a big fan of salt. But I want to believe it was the former, because any time I felt low, he came to my lap and stared into my eyes until I felt better.
Adopting a pet in need is an amazing karmic credit. The universe will pay you back in spades for a visit to the Humane Society or a pet rescue. I know a lot of people who buy from a breeder because they want to know the dog its whole life, but I met Emmett when he was probably two years old (we had to guess), and I don't feel at all cheated out of those first two years. Adult dogs have character and personalities too, and you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Sort of. Emmett never really got the whole leash thing, but he did learn to sit up pretty. He would do almost anything if treats were involved!
My parents bought their Great Dane from a breeder because they had a dog who died of a terrible genetic neurological disorder, and they wanted to know their dog's bloodline. After they met Emmett, they started adopting dogs from the Great Dane rescue. The ragtag orphan turned spoiled rotten lapdog fairytale was contaigious. There is a special bond between rescued dogs and their owners. Dogs who've been alone once know what a tragedy life without a pack can be, and they will do everything in their doggy powers to keep your pack together.
My pack was definitely strengthened when Emmett came into our lives. Because if him, I got to know my grandparents better, as I was required to send photos and updates to Grandma on a regular basis. He had the amazing power to unify people around his cuteness! I nursed Emmett through two surgeries, several illnesses, and a couple of trips to the doggy ICU, but he took even better care of me. He was my heart, and now there is a pain the size of a schnauzer in my chest.
In Memory of Emmett 1994-2008
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Thats so sad. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. I know exactly how you feel.
"In a world where we all can't make up our minds, we are definitely too sure of ourselves."
J for the juicy truth
Thank you for sharing so many fond memories of Emmett. Sometimes the best things in life happen completely randomly, and he was definitely proof of that.
I am so sorry you lost him today. Losing someone you love so much is horrible.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I remember our German Shepard, Roz. We adopted her after she had been living in a bar, and the owners didn't want her anymore. She got along great with our Rottweiler, Buddy. And she was so loving. She'd come up and beg to be brushed and would rub against your leg all the while you brushed her.
She had to get put down in 1998, just after my littlest sister was born, because she had so much cancer in her body. The next day, we got a rotty puppy, Aurora, and she's the sweetest thing in the world too.
~C
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I have a schnauzer as well, and she has an over-enlarged heart. I'm not exactly sure how, but she could die from it. But the thought of that is unbearable.
So, I live in constant worry over that, but it makes me appreciate having my dog. While I may not always be the one to walk her or feed her, I always greet her when I come home and say goodbye when I leave. And I always try to take a nap with her, but by the time I get home from school all she wants to do it play. So I do that instead. But now I'm making this comment all about my dog. If you wanted to see a picture...
http://bunnysquirrel8.deviantart.com/art/My-Shadow-53785499
But now I'm making this comment all about my dog. Sorry. When I get on the subject....
Emmett sounds like a blessing from God, or whomever you believe in. It's terrible to lose a pet, but maybe it's time for you to rescue another dog? Maybe not yet, but even though having a pet is a luxury, it is well worth the effort and care. As I'm sure you know.
At least you were able to provide a warm and loving home for him instead of one on the streets. And it sounds like he tried to tell you how much he loved you and wanted you to feel better by licking away your tears. It's amazing how pets can protray their love. When I had to euthanize my cat, she purred right before for me and I know that was her way of telling me she loved me. They may not always be able to let us know they love us, but when it really counts they always do.
:(
I don't know. I don't think I would ever be able to do it... even if it was the right thing...
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
You might change your mind when you see them hurt. I had all kinds of ideas about keeping him alive as long as possible, but when it came down to it, it was too hard to see him so sick.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I've never had to do it myself, but I've always been involved in the decision.
My little CJ was the sweetest little mutt in the world. He was with my mom throughout her entire bout of cancer and loved cats and babies (and made sure no one harmed those cats or babies if there was one around!).
He got a kidney cancer, though, and after dialysis didn't work and we found out he couldn't eat or drink water because nothing would pass, we realized the best thing was do put him down.
Once you realize it's the best thing, though it's heartbreaking, you don't feel a sense of sadness or guilt. Sadness that he's gone, yes, but not sadness that you had to put him down. When you know he's better off, it's not as painful.
----
You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
So sorry for your loss... so rough...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
My dog was a stray village dog who, on more than one occassion, was very close to getting shot because she had no one and was just running around town, eating trash. I learned of her story from the janitor when I moved here. Apparently she once belonged to a teacher, but was abandoned when the teacher left. Later she lived with another guy who has a different dog, but he decided he didn't want her anymore, so he put her out. I think she's had a couple of other humans - too many for me to know about. She was only about 3 when I took her last August. She's pretty much settled now, and although I don't know what exactly my future holds, I am certain that she will be a part of it. Somehow, I can't seem to let her go. :) All of my pets have come from the Humane Society, and they are always the best! I agree - it's because they know what it's like to not have a loving mom or dad, and like my dog Starr, they just want to lick you until they are SURE you know how much they love you. :)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
Your post made me cry. He was definitely an amazing dog. I miss him too.
You were the president! Thanks for being good to him.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Emmett liked everyone (except a certain boy named Nate, whom he barked at every time he saw him and we don't know why). But he only loved a few people. You ranked up there with "those who could tolerate his breath." He did love you, though. He didn't look at everyone with his big brown eyes like that unless you deserved it.
EmmettDog was truly a one of a kind pooch with one of a kind super powers and a one of a kind super hero outfit...he worked that arguile sweater! He was so kind and gentle and tolerant and loving. He had the power of invisibility, or really good timing, that let him go on wild adventures. He had selective super poochie smell and hearing regarding edible (and sometimes inedible) items. He also had the amazing ability to make you feel calm and loved and perfect just the way you are. He was an incredible friend and you are very lucky to have found him. He's very lucky he found you, too. You gave him all the love and devotion a schnauzer could ask for...and a little more, just because! You definitely did right by that handsome boy. I am inspired by your relationship with Emmett and, if an afterlife exists, I am sure he's there playing with the big dogs. And he'll run to you when you show up to lick tears off your cheeks once more. Ah, the love of a superdog, of EmmettDog!
I just want to let you know that you're blog makes me want to take even better care of my cats. One is a stray from America and the other is one that I bought from a flower market in China. Joey and Howie. Thanks for sharing.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
Just remember that he will always be there in spirit and in your heart.