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!
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Life With Emma in the Desert 