The Legacy Award Emma received last weekend was for the two of us, which is why I, Emma’s mom, am writing today’s post. She was such a special dog in so many ways! We were shopping together in August 2016 when I saw this sign and knew it was Emma. It really sums up her personality. Emma knew she was special, and she made a difference in the world of the GBGV breed.
Back on March, I was contacted by the GBGV Club of America to let me know that they were presenting Debucher Baguette, Emma, with the Legacy Award this year. The award would be presented at the National Specialty Awards Dinner in Perry, Georgia on April 13th. I was not able to go to the specialty this year, but I felt I needed to attend the dinner to receive this award for my special girl.
Luckily, I happened to have some frequent flier miles to get me a round trip ticket. I would fly down the day of the dinner and back the next morning. As I was at the airport that morning, what I was going for really hit me. I’ve had a very hard time dealing with Emma’s sudden passing. I still cry daily and miss her so much. Here I was going to get her award, and she was not with me in the fur. It got my tears flowing at six in the morning.
It reminded me of when I flew to DC for my first blogging conference. I left Emma home because I didn’t know what to expect. That time I took a flat Emma with me. Last Saturday morning I so wished I had my flat Emma at my side. Emma always wanted to be the center of everything, and now I would have to be there for both of us. Needless to say, as wonderful as it was, it was a tearful day.
Once I arrived in Atlanta, I had to rent a car to drive the hour and a half to Perry. I found this pig outside a gas station near my hotel. I knew I had to take a photo of it because that is what Emma would want me to do. Such a shame she wasn’t standing next to it. Finding the goofy pig was a sign to me that Emma was with me in spirit.
The awards dinner was held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. I went over early to look around and see what the whole National Specialty thing was about. I’d love to drive and take the girls if it wasn’t so far away another year.
At the awards dinner I read a short speech about Emma, telling about how we ended up promoting the breed, including her blog, book, Target ads, nose work, and travel around the country. Even though I could have had someone read it for me, I chose to do it myself. I managed to not shed a tear, but I couldn’t stick to the words I wrote. I ended up just talking about her which was fine, no one knew whether I was reading or not. At the end of that, I was given her plaque.
One of the hardest things about even writing this post is. I want to have a photo of Emma holding her plaque. She would be so proud of herself and her accomplishments. Instead, I held it up for the attendees, and it will hang on the wall in my home office.
After receiving the plaque, a slideshow was presented with photos of Emma throughout her life. I selected some twenty photos, and a club member made them into a slideshow. The tears were really coming down hard seeing this, and not only me, but most people in the room. My Emma made a huge paw print on this world, and I’m so proud and thankful to have had her as my girl. Her breeder, Vivien Phillips truly chose the perfect puppy for me back in 2006. On the day I met Emma and took her home with me to Germany, neither of us had any idea where we were headed, and that she would become such a public figure.
We’re joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop! Visit some other blogs to see what they are thankful for.
Oh my, that slideshow got our tears flowing too. Such a special award for your most special gal, you both earned it. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Mom can’t really watch it as it is too much for her still.
What a wonderful tribute to both of you!
Thank you.
This is Lilly’s mom writing today. WOW. I am SOOOOO glad you went to the dinner. I SOOO glad they honored Emma. I am so proud of you! I am crying watching the slide show. Emma is SOOOOO special. Well done! Well Done!! I SOOOOO wish we still had Dash and Emma. I miss him SOOO much. Such great dogs. SUCH great dogs. Thanks for sharing this event. Congratulations to you and Emma. It’s because of Emma’s blog that we know about GBGVs AND its why I am so dedicated to walking my doodles. You all have taught and inspired me so much about being a good dog person. Thank you!
Thank you so much. It’s funny when you start something just for the fun of it and it morphs into this huge thing that people all over the world love and actually learn from. It is always so rewarding when I get messages from people who have been helped or have learned things through our blog. Emma was my inspiration and we were an awesome team. I don’t know when I will ever be able to go a whole day without thinking of her and crying, you are probably the same with Dash. Every dog special, but each one is in their own way. I think the suddenness of Dash and Emma leaving us is the hardest thing to get over. Hugs to you, and I’m so glad to know you at least online.
Congratulations to both you and Emma. If it wasn’t for your blog i wouldn’t know about the gbgv breed either. She was such a beautiful girl.
Thank you. She was a very special girl with big aspirations.
We loved Emma so much. My mom has leaky eyes again. Emma was so very special, and I cannot think of a more deserving girl to receive the award (plus many more awards!) I just loved seeing her again and miss her so very much. My thinks a lot in music and told me to tell you she is humming “Smile though your heart is breaking…” I have something in common with Emma – my mom saw this sign and had to have it for me. It says – “Don’t let anyone ever dull your Sparkle!” XOXO, <3 Sparkle (and I give really nice, clean kisses…and I hug too!)
It’s leaky eyes around here all the time. For some reason, it doesn’t seem to get better. I love your sign, that is perfect for you! We all miss Emma, but we are surrounded by what she left us.
I watched the video and now I have leaky eyes too. They are ever so precious and they embed themselves in our hearts and remain there forever.
Thank you for sharing this. ♥
We do remain in humans hearts forever, but for some it is much harder to move on than for others.
I imagine most people reading this post will be shedding tears as well, I know I am. You gave Emma such a special life, and you both did so much to promote the breed, which I imagine many of us wouldn’t know much about if not for you and Emma. The award was well deserved and it’s so great you were able to go and accept it. I would have loved to hear your speech too! ♥
The slideshow does cause a lot of tears. I can’t really watch it as it is just too much. Selecting those photos was hard enough. You know how hard it is to lose a furry one. It is just more difficult when it is sudden, and when they are a public figure. I know one day I will be able to smile, but it is still too soon.
The Mom here – these French hounds become part of one’s soul and heart. What a wonderful tribute to Emma and you for all the work and sharing you have done and thank you for the work you continue to do. I suddenly have something in my eyes…
Emma and I worked to hard to build what we have, I am lost without it as I found out when I tried to leave everything for a week or so when Emma passed. It is something I do, and my hounds do with me. We all enjoy it, and it makes our hearts happy that so many others find joy in what we do. Emma would be very proud.
Oh, Joy, I can’t find the words for my own emotions. You and Emma were and always will be a special team in my heart. You earned and deserve this Legacy Award together and I know Emma is proud not only of herself but also of you, her Mom. She will always be at your side in spirit. That bond between you is everlasting.
Thank you. I look forward to a day when I can think about her and smile. It’s been almost six months and I still just cry. No matter how much I love Bailie and Madison, Emma is always on my mind and I miss her so. You understand, sadly, it is just so very hard.
Congratulations!! That is so awesome!
I was so happy when I found out about the award. Emma did a great job promoting the breed.
Well, that made me cry too. 🙂 She was such a special girl and made such an impact in this world. I’m so glad she was honored in such a way. Congratulations Joy, without you, none of us would know about Emma, you deserve this award too. 🙂
It’s a team Emma Award 🙂 I always think of you when it comes to nose work. What an expensive hobby your posts got me started in, but I love it and am addicted! Blogging is not just for fun, it is for learning, and meeting great people.
The tears are flowing here. Congratulations to you both♥
Thank you. It’s been a wet almost six months, some more teary than others.
This made my eyes leak all over again, I am soooooooo happy for you (but at the same time sad) because I know how much you miss Emma. What a beautiful legacy she left, I am sooooooo happy you were able to attend to receive your award in person, and yes Emma was most definitely with you! Sending tons of (((hugs))) and love
Thank you. It’s been almost six months, but it is not getting any easier and the trip was really hard. I’m glad I went, as she would have wanted me to go for her. I’m very proud of my Emma.
Congrats on a well deserved award for Emma and for you. She sure was a special girl.
Thank you. Mom says she was a one of a kind hound.
Sorry for the late response but I started to read this on the way to work and once the tears started I decided to wait until I was home. Now the tears are really flowing. She deserved this honor and I am happy for you that so many people recognize how special she really was. She will always be with you and the girls. She will never be forgotten.
We totally understand. My mom could only work on the post when she wasn’t going somewhere because she would start crying, and she cannon watch the slideshow. Hopefully someday, the sadness will turn to smiles of memories, but is going to be a long road. Thank you for being a good friend. Mom always talked to Emma, and now us about our online friends. We all know who you and the others are.
What a wonderful tribute for you and sweet Emma – to have reassurance that your work together will not be forgotten !
We are super proud of Emma getting this award.
So thankful her contribution was recognized, and glad you could be there.
Mom was so happy and proud. Of course a Legacy Award is for a dog who has passed, but she sure wished Emma could have been there to receive it in more than spirit.
I’ve started responses twice now….and no words I think of can express what I only know from experience….so I’ll just send my Congratulations to Emma, and to you for giving her the voice to represent her, along with big virtual hugs.
We completely understand. Just putting the post together was a Kleenex box event for Mom. You know just as well how hard it is. Thank you for being great friends. Hard to believe it has already been a year since we met! Very sad there are no more blogging conferences.
That sign was perfect for Emma. She set a gold standard for the breed and dogs that blog! I’m glad she was honored with the Legacy Award, but she is deeply missed!
Thank you. We miss her so much, but no one more than our Mom. Emma deserved her award as she worked hard for over half her life on her blogging empire.
Emma would be pawsitively proud 🐾💜🐾
💜gentle nose nudges 💜
We can imagine her with a big smirk accepting her award!
Congrats! We know Emma would be proud and momma knows how much you miss her.
Sadly, many pet parents know that sad, empty hole left by a furry one. Emma was very special to Mom, and it has been different from others she has lost. One day she will feel better we hope.
Congratulations!
Thank you.
You may have managed to get through your presentation without shedding any tears, but alas I could not. Congratulations for the recognition. Emma was truly a very special girl.
I managed to get through my speech, but the slideshow was too much. I still can’t watch it because it is too sad for me.
What a beautiful tribute to Emma and what a nice surprise for you. She is always with you.
It’s still all too much really for Mom to accept. She misses Emma so very much.
Joy & Emma, We are so very proud of you both for receiving this award. I saw that you were honored last week but my brother was in town and I knew I’d be reading this and sobbing like a baby. (I am) My heart is filled with pride and heartbreak for you. We miss Emma and are so proud to have called her our friend. Congratulations on making a difference in the GBGV world.
Thank you. My mom has teary eyes all the time, and can’t even watch the slideshow, so we get it not wanting to tear up with guests at your house. Mom is very proud of what Emma accomplished and how Emma got Mom to do things she never knew she was made to do. We all miss her so much.
Joy, I have been so out of it, lately, I missed this award! If anyone should get it , it should be you and Emma!!! HUGE, HUGE congratulations and thankyous for all you and Emma have done, and continue to do to promote our wonderful breed.
Thank you, Karen. It is so very special to me, but also bittersweet.
What a wonderful achievement and tribute – such a special dog and such a special mom.
It was because of Emma and her wonderful doggy tales that we now have our own very special GBGV – Kitty!
Sending much love to you Joy and your beautiful hounds x
Oh, that makes us so very happy. Over the years we have heard from so many friends who learned of our breed and now have one of their own, or started a dog sport because of us, found a better food, fun toy, and other things. It is what Emma always hoped would happen. Enjoy your Kitty, and thank you for being a friend.