Life With Emma in the Desert — Busy Days, Nice People & Thanksgiving Wishes

By Emma the White Dog 🐾

Hi friends — Emma here! 🐾

We’ve been busy again… meeting people, getting things done, and finishing up one more round of our little moving project. Dad says life always feels better when you stay active and have a little fun — and after these last few days, I think he’s absolutely right. Every time we go out, I meet the nicest people… and they’re all so kind to me!

The U-Haul Adventure

To finish our moving project, Dad and I needed another U-Haul trailer.

A very nice lady helped us at U-Haul — she talked to me, smiled at me, and I even posed for a photo with her.

While Dad was loading everything into the trailer, he packed and stacked and wedged things in so tightly I wasn’t sure it would all fit. I kept looking at the pile and thinking, “Hmm… I don’t know about this, Dad.” But he kept loading… and stuffing… and pushing… and before long, the whole trailer was full! I supervised the whole operation, of course.

A Friendly Visitor From the City of Surprise

Just as Dad was tightening the last straps, a City of Surprise inspector stopped by to check on our new air conditioner installation. He said everything looked great, and he and I got along right away. I liked him so much that we took a picture together.

A Stop at the Bank

Earlier that day I also met the bank manager, who knew exactly where to scratch behind my ear. What a nice man! I sat proudly next to him for our photo.

Home Again in SaddleBrooke

Once we got back to SaddleBrooke, Dad unloaded the trailer — and I was his best cheerleader the whole time. I supervised… encouraged… and offered moral support (which is very important, as you know).

Finally, everything was done, and we took a photo with the trailer at home.

It feels wonderful to have all our important things together here in Saddlebrooke again. Now we can relax a bit more, settle in, and enjoy the good life we’re lucky to have.

November Arrives — and So Does Thanksgiving

Here we are in November, and you know what that means… the holidays are coming! And first up is Thanksgiving — a very special day for humans and dogs.

I even spent a little time with my friend Tom Turkey recently. I took him for a ride, now that Toonces has taught me how to drive. Tom has some strong opinions about November, by the way… he doesn’t quite see Thanksgiving the same way the rest of us do!

Emma’s Thanksgiving Message 🦃❤️🐾

Oh, Thanksgiving! Just saying the word makes my tail wag. From a dog’s perspective, it’s one of the most wonderful holidays of all — a day filled with delicious smells, friendly voices, and warm hearts.

Dogs may not understand the history behind it, but we do understand gratitude. We feel it every day — for a soft bed, a gentle pat, a shared walk, or a treat given with love. On Thanksgiving, the feeling fills the house. We can sense our humans slowing down, gathering together, and remembering what matters most.

Of course, we secretly hope for a little taste of turkey (plain, please — no onions, gravy, or stuffing for us!). But mostly, we’re thankful just to be near our people — curled up under the table, watching and listening as laughter and stories flow.

If I could give one Thanksgiving wish from all of us dogs, it would be this: take a moment to look into our eyes and know that we love you completely, without words. You’re our whole world — and that’s something to be thankful for every day.

With love and a grateful heart,

Emma 🐾

📬 Got a question for me? Email me at Emmathewhitedog@gmail.com and I might answer it in a future post!

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Life With Emma in the Desert-Starbucks Moving and Fall

Starbucks, Moving, and Here Comes Fall

Starbucks and a Sip of Water

Hi friends — Emma here! 🐾

We recently made a stop at Starbucks! Dad got his favorite Americano, and I settled in for some serious people-watching.

I have to say, Starbucks does have excellent water — crisp, cold, and just right for a desert pup like me. They even give me my very own cup! No lattes for me, but I’m perfectly happy with my fresh water and a nice place to rest while Dad enjoys his coffee. You might notice the REI sticker on my stroller that I talked about in an earlier post.

An Adventure in Moving

Of course, life isn’t just coffee breaks and lazy mornings — sometimes there’s work to do!

Recently we had to move a bit of furniture, which meant borrowing a U-Haul trailer.

I can’t really help lift furniture — no thumbs, you know — but I supervised everything very carefully. Dad says I’m a great helper because I kept him company and made sure he didn’t work too hard.

Once we got the trailer returned, I was more than ready for a big rest. 💤 You might say I’m the expert on recovery — cuddling up next to Dad afterward is my specialty.

Changing Seasons

It’s almost October now, and I can feel changes in the air. The mornings are cooler, and the evenings arrive earlier. There’s something exciting about the first hints of fall — a mix of playtime energy and cozy snuggles.

Fall — A Desert Dog’s Perspective

Oh, fall is such an exciting time for us pups! The air feels cooler on our noses, the ground doesn’t burn our paws anymore, and the breezes carry all sorts of new smells — dry leaves, pumpkins on porches, and even the hint of fireplaces starting to crackle at night. For desert dogs like me, it’s a welcome relief after those long, hot summer days.

We also notice that our humans get a little more energy too — longer walks, more time outside, and sometimes even trips to see the changing colors in other parts of the country. Some of us might romp through piles of leaves, while others (like me!) just enjoy the crunch-crunch under our paws on morning strolls.

But fall isn’t just about fun — it’s also a season of comfort. The days are shorter, so evenings are cozy, and we dogs love curling up next to our people as the air cools down. It’s a perfect mix of play and rest.

So yes, we notice the seasons changing, and most of us dogs think fall is pretty wonderful — a chance to explore, sniff, and snuggle, all in the same day. 🍂🐾

Ask Emma

Q: Dear Emma, my mom keeps scolding me for eating the seed pods on the golf course. Will I get sick from them, or is she just over-reacting? I just love how crunchy they are!
— Sincerely, Stanley the Black Lab

A: Hi Stanley!

Oh boy, you Labs do love a good snack, don’t you? I understand the appeal — those crunchy seed pods might seem like nature’s version of a dog treat. But here’s the thing: not everything we find on the golf course is safe for us pups to munch on. Some seed pods (like mesquite or palo verde) can cause tummy troubles, and others might even be harmful if eaten in big amounts.

Your mom is right to be cautious. Golf courses also use fertilizers, herbicides, and other chemicals that could cling to grass or seed pods. Even if one bite doesn’t make you sick, it’s always better to stick to treats your humans know are safe.

My advice? Keep the crunchy pods for the squirrels and deer, and let your mom reward you with something yummy from home when you leave the pods alone. That way, you still get a tasty crunch without the worry.

Stay happy, healthy, and maybe a little less “crunchy,” my friend!

📬 Got a question for me? Email me at Emmathewhitedog@gmail.com and I might answer it in a future post!
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