She snuggled under the covers in the morning as soon as your dad got out of bed. I would hear the jingle of her collar and then feel her little warm body press up against me a few seconds later. Since your dad has the ridiculous habit of getting up before daylight, Emily and I would fall back asleep until the thundering pitter patter of your tiny feet and your precious morning breath would wake me up.
Downstairs we would go, Emily curled up in a cocoon of warmth underneath my blankets on the warm spot I had just vacated. We would cook breakfast, run, jump, scream, squeal and make all sorts of noises until it was time to leave the house. After a few futile attempts to get our beautiful, sleepy dog out of bed, I would give up and go upstairs. Pull back the covers and look at a dog blinking up at me with an innocent expression that seemed to say, "Whaaa? You mean you were calling me? Is it time to get up and go outside?" I swear that dog could hold it until noon some days before she decided to come downstairs and go potty.
Emily loved the sun. She loved to lay on her side and soak in the warmth. If a random squirrel or bird came in our back yard, she would viciously raise her head and watch them as they scampered around the yard. They may not have run away, but there was fear in their hearts.
We are moving to Oman next year. To a country that will hold many adventures after a fourteen hour flight and summers that average way over 100 degrees every day. Your dad and I had already discussed options for Emily since she is getting on in years and would not enjoy her limited time outdoors in Muscat, let alone the flight. Back when we were in Israel, my boss and his wife were good friends and dog lovers. Every year since we've met them, they have something for you girls as well as remembering our Em. They were our first choice of someone who might adopt her if we thought we had to make a change.
Don't get me wrong, your grandparents offered. They would take great care of my dog and walk her and feed her, but the Macintosh's would LOVE her from the moment she walked in the door. If I know Marcia, there will be a non stop stream of conversation, pats, rubs and affection as well as a few treats.
We're up on Prudence right now. We've been here for a few days. Came up early on Sunday and spent the day in Newport with Brian, Marcia and Kallie, then came over to the island on Monday. Emily-dog ran around off leash for a few days, devoured Kallie's food and ignored the small furry animals that live here year round.
This morning the Macintosh's left the island with my dog. Their new dog.
I know that this is the best decision for her in the long run. That she will be welcomed into the family and loved. She will be given the best food and care. Your dad is being very patient with me, but I'm having trouble letting go of our girl. We adopted Emily. We didn't find a cute puppy, play with her until she wasn't cute any more (she was always cute) and then try and foist of an ill behaved animal on someone else or a shelter. We brought her into the family, spent the time and attention on her to house break her, walk her and she trained us how she liked. The decision to let her go live with another family is not an easy one.
Later on when your father and I are reticent to "let you get a puppy/kitten/small furry creature" it's not that we are being mean or lazy. We know what it is like to lose a beloved pet. Go ask me about Barney. Ask me about watching Em sail away.
At night, our Emily would jump on the couch and stretch out along the back. She would wait until we were comfy and find a way to lay down, stretch out and still just barely touch us with a toe or a nose. When we went to bed, she would come upstairs and curl up in the chair next to the bed. Her perch to see outside and watch the world go by. And she would wait for your father to abandon his warm spot.
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