On this one year anniversary of my husband, Billy, passing away, I want to write about a kindness he bestowed on a little dog.

We had gone to see this little black Australian Cattle Dog the day before, and went back to get her the following day. We picked the dog, named Emmy, up in Billy’s van, and he held her all the way to our home while I drove. This dog had lived its entire 6 months of life in a small house in the city, with a tiny fenced in back yard, and with 3 other dogs. The woman who owned her had five children, so the dog had only known a crowded existence.

When we got home, Emmy, was too afraid to get out of the van. She was terrified of our home, all the open space. So Billy carried her around the yard and talked to her gently. He showed her our property and the lake. Then he sat in a lawn chair with her on his lap, talking to her and petting her until she finally began to act less afraid. He took his time and didn’t rush her, and after an hour or so she was ready to put her paws on the ground. He walked around with her, encouraging her. It took several days for her to adjust to our three acres of land, but she eventually claimed our place as her own.

Emmy loved Billy more than anything or anyone. She would sleep with her head on his feet, and followed him everywhere. He took her on walks every day that he could manage it, and when his health was failing, it was his goal to be able to walk around the yard with her. She laid by his hospital bed when he was dying, she never left his side. The kindness and love that Billy showed to Emmy was not lost on her. She loved him fiercely.

Now it is just Emmy and me. In honor of Billy we went for a hike today in the woods.

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