Emma goes swimming with new life jacket.

Emma began learning to swim a few weeks ago with the help of Jeffrey Flocker, a physical therapist, see an earlier blog entry for details. Several important lessons came from that experience. Emma knows to swim to the stairs of the pool if she needs out, instead of panic and struggle at the edge, to perhaps drowned. We also learned the importance of the life jacket made just for dogs and cats by Cascade Outfitters. The jacket is adjustable and fits Emma now and will fit her as an adult. The jacket has a handle at the back to provide an additional safety measure.

Emma is still a baby in our minds, and we treat her as if she needs some assistance periodically. Some dogs will dig at the person in the water, while Emma sits quietly in the arms of a trusted family member.

Emma Puppy Play Date with 6 of her siblings and mother

Yesterday was a puppy play day for Emma’s brothers and sisters at Copper Ridge Rhodesians Kennels. Lin Hainlen and her daughter Aura, hosted a play day, and seven of the eleven puppies showed up. Emma is on the left, walking with her brother, also a light colored Ridgeback. Notice the pronounced ridge down their back, thus their name, and the light areas on their neck and shoulder.

The puppies enjoyed the trampoline with those who joined in the fun. Lin had her acre-sized yard prepared for the party with pull and chew toys, a tire to jump through, the swimming pool, an in-ground trampoline, and nylon cloth tunnels for puppy enjoyment. Also present were Reese, the puppy’s mother, and ladies in waiting, Whisper and Varoshka.

Emma and her siblings enjoyed the agility practice tube. Emma is the one just exiting the tube. Notice her big, bright white tooth, the first of the big dog teeth to help her eat. She is teething, and having some real discomfort with the process. Our dog trainer from Kokopelli Dog Training, suggested freezing a Kong or freeze a terry cloth rag for her to chew. I do some T-Touch circles on her mouth before she goes to sleep in the evening, and she seems to sleep better. Only a few more weeks, and her adult teeth should be through the gum and she will feel better.

The group enjoyed resting under the shade on the cool grass. Emma is second on the left. Reese, their mother, is the furthest away on the gravel. Notice how much lighter color Emma is compared with the others.

After the play time, Aura took Emma on her first show training walk. It was so very hot, Emma had little enthusiasm for the exercise.

Emma's First Arizona Summer

Emma is now 20 weeks old, 48 pounds, and doesn't understand the heat. She expects cool weather and seems to feel abused when it is hot. Don't we all who live in the 112 degree, Summer heat!

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the faces of Emma.

Emma does this a lot. This is her thinking what she will do next gesture. Some times she falls asleep, other times she plays and sometimes she just takes in the whole world.


It was 4:00 p.m. and 108 degrees outside. We had just come inside and Emma wasted no time getting a drink and landing on her favorite bed, the LL Bean. She has such beautiful long legs, so perfectly formed, sleek like a model. I love to see her so relaxed.