Tag: mental-health

Life With Emma in the Desert Driving with Toonces

Driving Lessons with Toonces

Hi Friends — Emma here! 🐾

A while back when my human brother Rick came to town to drive Dad to a medical appointment, I started thinking: Why shouldn’t I be the one driving him? I mean, I go everywhere with Dad anyway. That’s when I remembered Toonces the Driving Cat from the old Saturday Night Live skits. If a cat can drive, surely a smart little dog like me can too!

If you’d like to meet Toonces, just touch the link below to see a video of him behind the wheel. I studied it carefully — after all, a girl needs to prepare for her first driving lesson

.https://youtu.be/5fvsItXYgzk


So one day, Toonces agreed to give me a lesson. It was quite an adventure. He meowed something about “keeping your paws at 10 and 2,” and then… off we went! I sat in the passenger seat, watching how he handled the wheel.

Later, we switched places.

Now, I don’t want to brag (well, maybe just a little), but I think dogs might be better drivers than cats. We’re loyal, focused, and not easily distracted by birds in the sky or squirrels on the sidewalk. Toonces didn’t say anything when I took over, but when we talked about my next lesson, he just said, “Don’t call me… I’ll call you.”

Hmmmmmm. I’m not sure what that means, but I have a feeling he knows I’ve got talent. 🚗🐶

REFLECTIONS ON HALLOWEEN 🎃

Halloween is an interesting time for us pups. Humans dress up in all kinds of costumes — ghosts, witches, superheroes — and they seem to love it. For us dogs, though, it’s a little more… confusing.

Some of us get dressed up too. One year I wore a sparkly pumpkin bandana. Not bad. But some of my dog friends got stuck wearing things with hats, wings, or even shoes. We try to be good sports, but honestly — many of us would rather wear nothing but our fur coats!

The doorbell rings all night, little humans in costumes shout “Trick or Treat!” and the world smells like candy (none of which we can eat). It can be a lot for a pup.

But there are parts we love: long walks in cooler air, pumpkins to sniff, crunchy leaves to romp through, and snuggling close when the night gets spooky. So if you see a pup dressed up this Halloween, give them a little extra smile. We’re trying our best to play along with your funny human traditions.

Wagging tails and happy howls,
🎃 Emma

Ask Emma

Q: Hi Emma… I get so terrified whenever thunder and lightning roll through SaddleBrooke. I shake, pant, and try to hide. Is there something my humans can do to make me more comfortable and help me tolerate storms?
— Question from Suki, your SaddleBrooke neighbor and friend

A: Oh, sweet friend — you are not alone. Many dogs (big and small) feel frightened by the rumbling skies and flashing lights of a summer storm. Thunder can sound like a giant’s footsteps, and lightning can seem scary and strange. But the good news is that your humans can help you feel safer.

Here are a few tricks they might try:

🐾 Safe Space: A cozy, quiet spot like a crate, closet, or bathroom can be a comforting retreat. Add a favorite blanket or toy to make it feel secure.

🐾 Calming Touch: Gentle petting, brushing, or just sitting nearby reminds you that you’re not alone.

🐾 Background Sounds: Soft music, a fan, or TV can help cover up the booms.

🐾 Comfort Clothing: Some dogs like snug wraps or shirts (like a “ThunderShirt”) that feel like a hug.

🐾 Vet Guidance: If storms are extra tough, humans can ask a veterinarian about natural calming aids or medications.

And here’s an extra tip for the humans: staying calm themselves helps us pups know everything is okay.

You’ve got this, Suki! With love, patience, and a safe cuddle spot, stormy nights don’t have to be so scary.

With a wag and a reassuring woof,
🐾 Emma

📬 Got a question for me? Email me at Emmathewhitedog@gmail.com and I might answer it in a future post!
To subscribe to Life With Emma in the Desert, enter your email in the box below and click subscribe so future posts arrive in your inbox.

Life With Emma in the Desert Back Home in AZ

Back Home in Arizona, With Thoughts Near and Far

Hi friends — Emma here! 🐾

Here we are, back in Arizona after traveling all the way to Minnesota. Life in SaddleBrooke feels comfortable and familiar again. I’ve been enjoying strolls on the golf course paths. Dad caught me hanging out on a golf course and the big rock at the Clubhouse.

While life is back to normal, we do get out and about!

Recently we stopped at REI, where I met some very nice people. A kind fellow gave me a set of REI Co-op stickers. Dad (or maybe I should say my driver!) put one on my side of the golf cart and another on my stroller. I think it looks pretty fun — a little desert dog with big outdoor spirit! 🐶⛰️

We also had some work done at the U-Haul service center on our car’s trailer hitch. I met some friendly people there too, and we took a picture with one of the service guys.

Enlarge to see REI sticker on stroller]

Back at home, we had a huge project — a new air conditioner and furnace were installed. Wow, what a big job! It took all day. There’s a photo of me with Leo, the installer, standing proudly by our new thermostat. He even showed us pictures of his own cute little white dog. 🐾

A More Serious Topic: PTSD

Now I’d like to talk about something more serious — a topic I first mentioned in my Northfield, Minnesota post: PTSD.

While traveling, I met two wonderful people — Colonel Wayne and Dr. Steve. They’ve written books about PTSD and, most importantly, they give those books to veterans and anyone who might be struggling.

Not long ago, I read (with help from Dad, of course) a book about World War II prisoners of war in the South Pacific. It described how many carried invisible scars long after the war ended. PTSD isn’t just about memories — it’s also about how we relate to time. Researchers say it affects our perspective of the past, present, and future all at once.

There’s even something called the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory — 56 questions you can take for free at:

👉 https://www.thetimeparadox.com/zimbardo-time-perspective-inventory/

If you do, you can import your scores for each of the six dimensions of the scale into ChatGPT for analysis, and it will give insights into how you process experiences. It will even offer suggestions for how you can improve how you treat past, present, and future time.

Now, you might wonder: can dogs suffer PTSD too? The answer is yes. Rescued dogs, those abandoned in shelters, or those who’ve faced frightening events can show signs of trauma. We may shake, hide, bark, or freeze when reminded of our past — just like humans reliving difficult memories.

Why does this matter? Because PTSD is real, it’s serious, and it deserves compassion. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or even a pup who’s been through tough times, recognizing PTSD is the first step toward healing.

Meeting Colonel Wayne and Dr. Steve reminded me that help and hope are always nearby. Books, conversations, and kindness open doors. For dogs, it’s patience, routine, and love. For humans, it’s therapy, support, and understanding friends.

So if you or someone you love has struggled with trauma, please know: you’re not alone. Even a little white dog like me can see how important it is to talk about PTSD and to keep supporting one another.

With love and paws of comfort,

Emma 🌵🐶💖

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

To subscribe to Life With Emma in the Desert, enter your email in the box below and click subscribe so future posts arrive in your inbox.