It's A Dogs Life!

[ishoot308]

My wife taking Queen "Emma" Of Welch Island for an afternoon float...

What a great weekend!

Dan

[tis]

That is so cute, but she is too big for it!! My little tiny one (3 1/2 lbs) can sit right on top of it and she DOES love it. She can't wait to jump on almost before it is in the water! She sits there and just rides around even when I am not holding it. Her older brother who doesn't care that much for the water even jumped on to see what he was missing.

[ishoot308]

That is so cute, but she is too big for it!! My little tiny one (3 1/2 lbs) can sit right on top of it and she DOES love it. She can't wait to jump on almost before it is in the water! She sits there and just rides around even when I am not holding it. Her older brother who doesn't care that much for the water even jumped on to see what he was missing.

Actually when she sits on it right it holds her up really well and she floats around effortlessly. She loves this float!

About six months ago Emma was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis. She is on a bunch of meds that are having some nasty side effects which include steroid induced Cushings disease. This causes extremely weakened leg muscles. We have been commuting almost every day from Manchester and staying at the island camp so she can get some swimming in to try and keep up her strength as she is barely able to walk right now and lately has even been struggling to swim. We are hoping for the best however...

Dan

[tis]

She looks like a little doll! I am so sorry for her troubles. I hope she gets better!!!!

[VitaBene]

Great pic Dan, enjoy her!!

[Belmont Resident]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezBWl85f4Uo

She has about 2K on our ATV and rides on the motorcycle as well.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ezBWl85f4Uo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[tis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezBWl85f4Uo

She has about 2K on our ATV and rides on the motorcycle as well.

That is too cute! Does she really like it? WE have scooters and bikes and ours go in baskets. I don't think they would like to do that though.

[Belmont Resident]

That is too cute! Does she really like it? WE have scooters and bikes and ours go in baskets. I don't think they would like to do that though.

As soon as I drive a Ranger out she is sitting on the seat ready to go, rides on the gas tank of my bike complete with goggles.
She looks scared as hell but she likes to be on the boggie board behind the boat.

[tis]

And she keeps the goggles on??? I can't keep sunglasses or hats on mine! THey hate them. When she was little, she always wore hats and headbands, but not NOW! No way! But they do love the boats, and bikes and scooters, all rides I guess.

[ishoot308]

Little did I know that when I took the original picture in this post it would be the last picture I would take of Emma....

Emma was unable to overcome her battle with acute active hepatitis and after a year of battling this terrible disease serious complications occurred in the last month and we needed to put her down on Friday. It was the hardest thing Kathy and I have ever done and we are both devastated.

We celebrated Emma's life over the weekend with family and friends at the island. That is what Emma enjoyed most, having company and being on the island.

R.I.P. Queen Emma... You will be sorely missed...

[chipj29]

Dan, so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful Emma. I know first hand how difficult that decision can be, just know that what you did was the best thing you could do for her.

Chip

[eillac@dow]

Dan....

So sorry for your loss. Lucky for her that she had such a loving family. Clearly she was loved!

Allie

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Dan, I am tremendously sorry for you and your family. You did the right thing in ending her suffering. Having your beloved pet look to you when they cannot understand their pain is completely horrible. Having to make such a difficult decision can be unbearable, as many if us know.

I am glad that you had a nice weekend to pay tribute to your beautiful Queen Emma. Rest in peace dear lady. Gone, but never forgotten.

Hugs,

Cel

[Slickcraft]

Dan, several years ago we lost our Toto who loved being on the island and riding in the boat. Unlike Emma, Toto would not go into the water under any circumstance but never missed a chance for a boat ride.
It's very hard to lose a long term companion like Emma and we offer both of you our sympathy.
A&J

[tis]

I am so sorry. She was beautiful!

[jkjoshuatree]

A pet's love is so unconditional.

I'm posting this for you (or any pet lover's who have suffered loss).

Hope it helps.

[Nagigator]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss..........she was a beautiful girl, and I'm sure will always be in a special place in your hearts......

[Pineedles]

Dan,
Please accept my most sincere regrets for your loss of Emma.

[SteveA]

So sorry Dan, we have you and your wife, and Queen Emma in our thoughts.

It's never easy to lose a pet.

[Just Sold]

Dan, I am so sorry for your loss.
She was obviously a wonderful companion and family member.

[NickNH]

Adding to the sorrys......it's such a difficult decision but you made the right one. She was a beautiful dog....

[choclab2]

So sad, they bring so much joy and happiness to or lives and it's so painfull to say goodbye. I lost my best friend three months ago tomorrow. I hope Emma and my Connie are having a good swim together. When she was healthy she'd swim all day if I'd let her.

[SIKSUKR]

Everytime I hear of another member having to put down their loved one,I'm sure it brings all of us who had to do the same thing right back to that awfull moment.All I have to do is look to the right to see my sad time.:emb:Keep your chin up.

[ishoot308]

I have run out of "thanks", I think we are limited to five, but I want to thank all of you who have posted your sympathy and support. It truly means a lot to Kathy and I and really does help with the grieving process.

Thank you all so much!

Dan

[GFP]

From the pictures you posted, I can see you gave Emma a wonderful life, even though it was too short. My sympathy.