I have always had a dog. I really don't remember life without a dog, until now. Our 15-year-old Labrador retriever died last fall and we haven't tried to replace her. I heard once that you aren't a real empty nester until all the kids are gone and the dog dies. I guess I now officially fit into the empty nester category.

The first dog I remember when I was a kid was Emma. Emma was a mixed breed mutt named after my grandmother. We were quite certain that grandmother was overwhelmed and thrilled to be honored in such a way. Emma was a good dog and patiently tolerated us dressing her up in doll clothes and parading her around in a wagon. Without complaining she would fill in as characters in our dramatic productions in the back yard under the mimosa tree. One summer Emma was visited by the neighborhood "Romeo" and we were blessed with four puppies. We loved those puppies and learned a lot about life and responsibility from Emma and her babies.

One Sunday afternoon when the pups were still little wiggling things with their eyes not yet open, we went to see my grandmother Emma who lived about an hour away. On the trip back home we ran into a torrential rainstorm. For a good reason Mom was immediately concerned about the puppies. To escape the August heat, Emma had dug a little cave under the concrete base of the air conditioner to give birth. Mom knew they were in danger of drowning if Emma couldn't get them out.

When we finally pulled into the garage we ran to the back yard hoping for the best, but dreading what we might find. I'll never forget Mom in the pouring rain down on her knees in the mud with a flashlight and what we saw was something I will always remember.

Water was quickly filling up Emma's birthing room but we were fascinated and thankful to see the rearranging she had done. This loving mother had taken her babies and lined them all up in a row facing her. She would start at one end of the row and with her nose lift each of the tiny noses up out of the water…1, 2, 3, 4 then start over again 1,2,3,4. This little white dog instinctively knew if she took one pup to safety, while she was gone the others would drown. We could almost feel Emma's relief when she saw Mom peeking in behind the flashlight. If dogs talked she surely said, "Wow, am I glad to see you. Can you please help me and take over here? I am worn out!!" Mom pulled all of the helpless babies to safety and Emma was one grateful dog.

In my adult life I have so many times felt like Emma. If I don't keep each of my responsibilities above water, something is going to drown. My kids, my husband, my house, my friends, my work, my extended family. One, Two, Three, Four… Is everyone happy? Is everything taken care of? Have I forgotten anything? If I don't keep moving something disastrous will happen.

Maybe you have felt like Emma and me. What a relief to know that God is watching with His flashlight, too, waiting for me to let Him take over! He is backing me up waiting for me to hand control over to Him. I don't know why I keep trying to hold everything above water by myself. Like my childhood dog, it wears me out too. I know God can run the universe more efficiently than I can, I just occasionally forget. Either my memory is short or I have a hard time putting down this need to try to be in control. Probably a little of both.

I may be without a dog in the house for the first time in my life, but I am secure in knowing that I have someone to take over if I will just get out of the way.
Thanks, Emma.

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Copyright 2007 Suzette Brawner & Smalley Relationship Center

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