Today we are remembering Emma’s birthday. If she was still with us, she would be turning seventeen years old. She was a very special hound who made so many people smile and laugh when she started her blog. Emma taught Mom a lot about dogs and got her started in her addiction to dog sports. She was simply, a very special hound. The above photo was taken on her twelfth birthday just seven weeks before her sudden passing. Emma was a queen, making the birthday crown the right choice for her final birthday photo.
On September 11th, 2006, Emma was born and was given the fancy name, Debucher Baguette. Mom received a call from England that there would be a perfect GBGV specimen puppy for her in the litter. The day Emma turned nine weeks old, Mom flew from Germany to England to pick her up. She was an adorable puppy, and she did grow up to be a wonderful ambassador for our breed.
The next eight months, she lived on the North Sea Coast in Germany. Emma became a real beach hound. She loved running in the North See and on the beach. There were a lot of friends for her to play with too. Before she left to move to the United States, she had one last beach romp with her Kuvasz sister Katie and their Husky friend Kenai. Note, only Emma is a dirty, wet mess.
Two months after moving across the pond and settling in Minnesota she celebrated her first birthday. Judging from her adorable party hat, this was the beginning of her fashion career. Emma wore clothing, hats, glasses, anything Mom asked her to and was never bothered by it.
She enjoyed her new life in the USA. Life is different here than it was in Germany. There are dog parks, lakes, rivers, and snow. Emma enjoyed all that she could find and it just wore her out at times. Play hard, crash hard I guess.
Gramma is one of the first people Emma met in the US. She lived with her for several months until Mom found them their own house. Gramma adored Emma and Emma felt the same way about Gramma, visiting her whenever she could.
In 2011, Emma had the idea to start a blog and also joined the world of social media. She loved telling her stories, making others laugh, smile, and sometimes learn things. Baking was her favorite thing and she was often thought of as a canine Julia Childs.
2013 is the year Emma wrote her book Tales of a French Scent Hound. It is a compilation of her favorite blog posts and photos.
In 2014, Emma entered the world of dog sports. At first, Mom insisted they would do sports just for fun at home but within a few weeks of starting class, they decided they would be competing one day. On May 3rd, 2015, Emma earned her first Nose Work Title. She is also the first GBGV to earn any NACSW Nose Work Title, L1V (Level 1 Vehicles). Mom was so proud of her!
Remembering Emma’s birthday makes Mom very sad, but also happy. She misses her all the time and wishes she was here with the rest of us. Beautiful Emma had a fantastic life, but her sudden departure is still hard for Mom to process. She is missed by so many, but her life was truly Grand, and those of us who are here now do our best to carry on her work, making people laugh and smile, and getting our breed out there for the world to see. Emma, you are gone, but you will never be forgotten. You are especially in Mom’s heart forever.
My GBGV Life joining Comedy Plus for the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
You were such a beauty, Emma, and you will never be forgotten. Huge hugs to your mom♥
She was very beautiful and such a special girl too. Mom misses her every day, but she surrounds us with her spirit.
I loved this name… it was like a hommage to all french pups who came to the US … a big kiss to heaven today.
Emma would love you guys, but she knew your late brother and was friends with him.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Angel Emma.
She was an angel.
What a gorgeous crown Emma had for her 12th birthday! Thank you for sharing a rerun of her life with us today! Emma WAS/IS a very, very special dog!
It is a very short summary, but we tried to hit some of the high points.
We all miss Emma. I think she had something to do with brining you all together to form a fabulous family. She is still there leading the pack. Never to be forgotten.
She is always around even Olivia and Nelson who never met her know all about her. Mom says Emma sent Olivia to her because Olivia was not supposed to even exist as her breeder wasn’t having a litter that year but Olivia’s dad found her mom and a litter was born. She is the dream sports dog Mom always wanted.
Oh, Emma! She was my inspiration for ways to engage Shadow and Ducky after their older sister Callie lost her cancer battle. And she kept on inspiring me.
I still have difficulty processing the sudden loss of first Bogie and then Ducky. I totally empathize with your Mom. I’m glad your Mom has the four of you, and I have Zen and Zoey to help us through those difficulties. Love to you all and your Mom from Zen, Zoey, and me.
Losing Katie was tough, but she was older and had been ill for a time so it was kind of expected but the sudden loss of Emma and Bogie are just too much. There is no time to say good bye or to do things together you always loved. Humans feel responsible and just terrible for not being able to stop the event. Time helps somewhat, but Mom still feels like she should have done more, even though she doesn’t know what that would have been. We are sure you feel the same. Life can be so cruel sometimes.
Happy heavenly Barkday, sweet Emma. 💙
Thank you. We think of her all the time but some days like her birthday, more than others.
What a beautiful post about your Queen Bee Emma. Lots of the information was new to me. I do so recall Chef Emma and her unique writing skills. Happy 17th Bday to you Emma. You traveled across the pond WOW. Hugs to Mom today
Cecilia
She had five countries visited and eighteen states in her twelve years. She loved the kitchen and being the center of attention wherever she went. Emma was one of a kind.
I know that sad and happy. Emma was a beautiful girl.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. Scritches all around and a extra hug to mom today. ♥
There will always be that sad/happy feeling but after almost five years, Mom is able to have more happy and less tears but she still tears up a lot about Emma.
You were so special and very precious Emma.I love all the beautiful photos. I hope everyone has a good new week.
It will be a busy week, but hopefully a good one too.
Awww, nice post. We loved Emma very much and love looking at her photos. We miss her too. Thanks for sharing these memories with us. Your friends Chester and Lilly
We older ones remember when you lost your brother and we thought about how incredibly sad it was and then it happened to us with Emma. It is a good reminder to cherish the time we have because in an instant it can all be over. Emma was amazing and is missed very much.
Sending Happy Birthday wishes to heaven to you sweet Emma.
I’m sure she is smiling down at us and is proud of us for keeping her alive in memories.
The joy and love of Emma will always be with you. The loss can never be filled. Hope you have extra snuggles with your pack today.
Today is kind of a crazy day, but we have time to think about Emma here and there. It’s a busy week and we all have different things going on.
(((hugs))))) as you remember
Sweet memories of sweet Emma …
We have so many memories it is hard to narrow them down and choose a few.
Oh what a loving tribute to Emma and such beautiful photos ~ the sweet fur persons never stay long enough but leave love in our hearts forever ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)a
Her death came as a huge shock and it has been tough to get through it even though it has been almost five years now.
Happy Birthday in Heaven Angel Emma. You touched our hearts from miles away and gave us smiles every day. We thank you for that and we’ll always remember you forever.
Thank you sweet kitties and your human.
My heart aches for the loss, I think the rest of you do Emma proud.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Emma!
She would be proud that we have kept her projects going and we are all flourishing and being Grand ambassadors for our breed.
A lovely remembrance of Emma! Lots of special memories that will always be there for you all.
She was a Grand hound in every way. Mom misses her a lot.