We were home all day today. Though rain was predicted we received very little. That was good news as we spent time outdoors playing. Both Emma and Lily liked that. I had trouble with a bad headache so I/we also napped twice. Yes both dogs ended up in bed with me. It was cozy and comforting.

I took it easy all day. When I was reading both dogs were on the couch laying at my sides. At one time they were on the love seat. Lily laid on the back cushion on the top so she could see out the window. Emma was resting right below her. They do this when we are at Mike and Tia's house also. i think it looks like bunk beds and it makes me chuckl.

Leaves are starting to accumulate in my yard and the dogs enjoyed the smells and romping through them They didn't exactly play together but they followed each other around looking for things to smell.

At times one or the other of them will act like they want to "play". The notable size difference has made that difficult sometimes. This time they don't both seem interested at the same size. They did have fun though exploring together. I played fetch with Emma but Lily was too busy exploring. It was very windy today.

Lily seems more comfortable here then she did last night. I woke up to find her also snuggled in bed. She is so much smaller than Emma that I barely noticed and was rather surprised. She had gone to bed in her kennel. Greg said he got up about 3 am and brought her to bed with us all. All four of us snug and warm. All slept well.

My late nap in the day was interupted or should I say ended. This time I had two hungry dogs. Lily barked while Emma nudged and nudged me. Emma with an empty dish in her mouth. I tried to ignore them for just a few minutes as I woke up. They were a strong team. It was evident the consensus was that my nap time was now over. So I got up and gave them food and took them outside. Oh my gosh it was 6:30 pm and that is late for Emma to eat. Funny how much more persistent she was though with the help of Lily at her side and barking.

We are noting the differences in what Emma and Lily like to get into or do as size differs. But they are both doing very well. I am so glad Lily is happier today and relaxed. Last night I was worried it was going to be so hard on both of them.

Last night I was giving Lily some attention because she seemed sad or uneasy. Then all of a sudden I realized I didn't know where Emma was. I checked her bed, the office, she wasn't in the dining room or living room. She would NOT come when I called. That is not like her. I was upset at not finding her.

Guess where I found her - downstairs in the dark alone in our family room waiting by the patio door. I don't know if she just wanted to be down there or wanted to go outside or both. This was the first time she had ever done that. I took both dogs outside (it was dark) and then brought them both to the main level. Normally Emma is in the same room with me most the time. She never is downstairs unless I am with her.

Last night I brought her to bed and Greg spent time with Lily before putting her in her kennel. Tonight I bet they will both come to bed just fine in our room. I am so glad Emma is handling it well and Lily seems relaxed. I know for sure she will be happy when they come to get her. I think it will be tomorrow but maybe Monday. I am not sure how tired they will be from all that driving nor the time they will be home.

My son called and said they were having a great time. i am so glad for that. i have tried to take photos of the dogs but gosh they move when I move to get the camera. So maybe I won't have photo's. We will see.

I am glad this is working out for Lily. I think it is better than if she had to be in a kennel at home waiting for people to come let her out. This time it did not work for any of my other children to go over and stay with her. This is working out good for all involved.

I am off to get ready for bed. Goodnight from Mary, Emma, and Lily (my granddog)

Emma seems so jealous of my attention to Lily. I was on the couch and Lily jumped up. There was plenty of room for Emma. She just sat at my feet and put her head on my lap. She does that when she wants petting. I just took them both outside but they did not play together.
I tried to take pictures of them as I am so excited to add pictures to the blog text. I want one of them together...am I being too optimisitc? They are peaceful though. Just not cuddling up or anything. Both dogs are being very good.

I can start adding pictures to the blog. Yeah!! The picture above is of Emma with her foster mom Judy and myself. Maybe the two dogs here this weekend will provide some picture opportunities? Mary

To test it I am adding another photo of Emma.

My granddog Lily, is coming to stay for the weekend. This should be interesting. I hope there is not too much rain as she likes to be outdoors. I hope she doesn't mind being here overnight. She has been here to visit with Mike and Tia and is a very nice beagle. IT will be interesting to see how she and Emma handle a more extended visit. I think all will go well for them. I have nothing planned Saturday. So the dogs will have time to interact and play.

Emma is so energetic outside in this fall weather. She is just a sweetie. We had a nice day. Out to breakfast with a friend and then home for the day and evening. I had some chores. I am slow as a turtle, do a little, sit a little, do a little, take a nap well you see the pattern. I don't accomplish much but I try. I could use a cane rather than a walker for the outing today so that was good. i am more stiff than normal but some days are like that.

I need to go make dinner. We are eating late as my husband worked a long day. My husband and Lily should be home soon.

Have a good weekend -Mary and Emma

I am testing the way they say I can add an image to my blog. Let's see if it works.

Another busy day for us. We went to water exercise, then for a simple lunch. We were then headed to the nursing home to visit a friend who is having a MS flare up and needed to go there for rehab. Found out she was not available at the time we were going to arrive so we had to kill some time. There were three of us and Emma. Then we finally went to visit Jeanne. It was so good to see her.

When I got home, another good dear friend wanted to see me. I had time to take Emma out and feed her an early supper. So she picked me up and we went out for a pop and a good talk. I left Emma alone for that outing. I came back to the warmest welcome. It was a little over an hour I think and boy was she glad to see me. I had fed her before I left so it was not due to hunger. Her tail wagged away and her butt wiggled too. She was like estatic to go outside again. She has been so playful and fun tonight.

At the nursing home, St. Therese in New Hope Emma just delighted the people there. Her behavior was awesome. One corner we turned to be greeted by two of the littlest dogs I have ever seen. Emma and I were startled. All the dogs managed to smell a bit (it was crowded) and would have loved to play but all stayed under control and with their owners. I guess the others were therapy dogs.

You could see the twinkle in the eyes of so many we encountered, in the halls, on the patio, and then in the lounge type room we ended up in. My friend was too cool outside. Emma was just so wonderful. Even when we had to take the elevator. We got in before we realized so many others would pile in with us, inclluding two wheelchairs. Gosh Emma was in such a tight space. I am a bit claustraphobic so was glad it was only for one floor. Emma was as relieved as I was to get out but handled the situation so well.

Often when I am out with her people say - she looks like such a good dog. I agree she is. Or they ask if she is always so well behaved. She sure knows how to listen, stay with me, and just is the greatest dog ever. I was so proud of her.

I got teary at the nursing home (okay I cried a bit) because it made me miss my mom. As Emma went with me people would stop and want to tell me about their dogs of the past. She sure puts a twinkle in the eye of those in the nursing home - staff and residents and visitors. This place was so much bigger and busier than where my mom lived. i could have gotten lost in the hallways. Luckily my friends showed us where to go.

The friend we visited is older. She had an attack with the dizziness like I did. She already uses a wheel chair most the time. They are trying to get her better so she can go back home to live. She remodeled her condo to be handicapped assessible a year or so ago but will need more hire help when she returns home. I pray all goes well for her.

One of my friends pointed out that Emma has such kind and gentle eyes. I think that is true. She sure made a lot of people happy today. Her presence was calming.

The other neat thing today was it rained and the sun was shining. A beautiful rainbow formed. As we drove (I of course was not the driver) we could see the full rainbow from end to end. It was so awesome. Looked like a photograph not the real thing.

Believe it or not I have a breakfast date with a friend tomorrow. We will be home the rest of the day and evening. I will need a nap and to do a few chores. We better head to bed. Even Emma looks sleepy.

I am so fortunate to have good friends. Wishing you warm loving times with family and friends.

Mary