Emma

This beautiful dachshund came into my life in 2003. I rescued her from a puppy mill in northern Wisconsin and have always regretted not getting her 2 puppies out as well. Emma was being used as a “breeder dog” and the conditions were deplorable. Emma was my 2nd rescue. I also found Chloe, another red short-haired dachshund, at an Iowa puppy mill and she had many health problems. I hoped that by getting Emma out of the puppy mill at a younger age, she would be healthier.

It took Emma days to start to trust me. But once she knew I loved her and wasn’t going to hurt her, we had a wonderful life. Emma never liked leaving my home, she tolerated trips to my parents’ house on holidays, but she really just liked to feel safe in her home.

Over the last few years, I noticed Emma was slowing down, aging fast, but didn’t overdo the vet visits as they terrified Emma. In mid October, I took her to the vet with concerns for her health and lab results showed she was in end-stage liver and kidney disease. My veterinarian warned me that it was severe and she didn’t have much time left. I was heart broken and devastated, as I hoped she had more time. She was 15 years young. Once Emma’s illness was taking over and she was no longer eating and enjoying life, I had Emma euthanized at home and I don’t regret that.

Emma was the sunshine in my life and she left this world on November 5, 2015, surrounded by my mom, my sisters, and me. She was deeply loved and I miss her so very much. I trust that she is waiting for me in heaven with Chloe, who passed away in 2008.

Emma was such a sweet and gentle dog, she just wanted to be loved and to feel safe. I pray that I gave her the security that was sorely lacking in the first 3 years of her precious life. I love you Emma and am so blessed that I was trusted with your care.