I had always wanted a pet. Since I was a little girl I had had a love for animals. I would try to bring home strays, to no avail. I would cry in pet stores, which got me nowhere. I babysat other peoples dogs and walked them. I was allowed to have a fish tank. I thought I was doing all the right things to show my parents just how responsible I could be.
Finally at the age of seventeen my parents caved.
I scoured on-line listings and newspapers, rescue sites and the SPCA pages. Then one day I stumbled across an ad in the local newspaper. A one and a half year old pug looking for a new home. On the drive there my Mom tried to tell me not to get my hopes up, we were only going to look. Who was she kidding. As soon as I set eyes on that little dog I was sold! We became best friends. She was my shadow. I loved her with everything I had to give.
Emma Jean
Life went on with its ways, school came and went and then one day it was time to start thinking about the future, about the rest of my life. I had always loved the West. I knew that one day I would end up out here. But at the age of eleven, taking my sweet little pug with me wasn’t an option. She was deaf, and going slightly blind. She was used to the comforts of home, snoring on the couch with dad and basking in the sunshine in the attic skylights. I couldn’t take her away from all that was familiar.
And so with a broken heart and a tonne of tears, I left for my adventure out west and left behind my little pugger with Mom and Dad. I knew she was in good hands. Last Fall we laid Emma to rest at my parent’s house. She passed away at the ripe old age of fourteen and had lived the best dog life. She was so loved and will never be forgotten.
When I moved in with Dan I was lucky enough to also be greeted by his two dogs, it made everything feel a little more like home. I couldn’t be happier that the two of them accepted and grew to love me. Although they were much bigger than the little dog I loved back at my parents, they filled my heart with joy and laughter too. Many nights they sleep outside our bedroom window, they keep the critters out of my garden and away from the chicken coop and they provide a comfort and safety when I find myself home alone. I know they would protect me to the best of their abilities.
I am thankful for the love of all my girls, and wouldn’t trade them for the world.
In the Spring of 2020 we welcomed home to the farm a new pup, Hank. Hank is a cross between a Leonberger and a St. Bernard, so needless to say, he was never a little puppy and has become a BIG boy. His loving temperment and goofish bull headed ways make him the perfect fit to our little funny farm. He is he best big brother dog to our little girl Wallace, never straying far from the stroller when she is outside. I am so looking forward to watching these two grow together over the years. Hank has filled a special place is our hearts, has accepted the donkeys as one of his own and is tolerated by our two older ladies.
