Emma (TN) - Foster Dog News

Hey GSP Family!  It’s me Emma, your SEGSP furever mascot and hospice foster in TN! Sorry it’s been a while since my last update, but I’ve been keeping my family busy since my seizure. I haven’t had another one since then, but I dealt with some pain from my fall and a few other things. I’ll let my foster family share what’s happening cuz I hear the mailman driving down our road and I need to go bark at him! 
“Hey guys, it’s the Kesslers! After four months with us, we finally unraveled a puzzle piece that explains so much and helps us take care of Emma better.  Emma has something called sundowners syndrome, or canine cognitive dysfunction. If you’ve never heard of it before, it’s something senior dogs can develop that causes increased confusion, anxiety, restlessness, and changes in behavior later in the day or at night.

Looking back, so many things started to make sense… the nighttime disorientation, increased barking at noises, restlessness, putting herself to bed early, and moments of being more protective over food or toys in the evenings.  Combined with her arthritis and aging, it helped us realize she wasn’t “being difficult,” she was just needing a little more support from us.

Over the last two months we’ve adjusted a few things to help her. We now leave lights on around the house at night and support her with antioxidants and omegas. We still try to keep life very routine and predictable for her and shower her with lots of love and cuddles. Most importantly, we’re learning how to help her feel safe and comfortable.

Despite this obstacle, Emma is still completely Emma. She is still ball obsessed, still loves “helping” in the yard and kitchen, still available for cuddles and kisses at any moment, and is still the sweetest, kindest, prettiest, most hilarious GSP ever.  We are so blessed to call her ours and welcome her into our home with our two dogs. SEGSP has been the best to partner with as we figured out how to help her better.

Thank you all of you who love and support all the dogs that grace SEGSPs page. Emma is thriving with us thanks to your support! If you were here in our living room with us, she’d give you a kiss and lean against you while you scratch her ear.”

We are so grateful to the Kessler family, who offered to foster Emma forever as she is a hospice foster.  They’ve done so well with her, and we are so happy that Emma is thriving with them!
​TN