It has taken seven years for me to work enough through my grief to be able to finally draw this comic. Not only that, it took two full weeks to actually post after drawing it. In fact, I don't think Emmie has appeared in any of my comics since her death way back then.
By contrast, when Mr. Timmons, my precious, ginger "Cougar Boy" passed, I drew a whole slough of comics about him, and I think he's appeared, off and on, every once in awhile since then. Emmie is different - Different from any other pet or animal companion I've ever shared my life with. She truly was my soulmate. And thus, breaching the subject of her death and our connection for the first time on the comic page had to be treated with the deepest honor and the height of sacredness. That is why this page has danced and morphed in the back of my mind for the better part of a decade.
Those who have never experienced this depth of connection with an animal companion may scoff, and there are not enough words to convince them of a reality they cannot imagine. For those who've experienced this, there are no words necessary. So I simply and humbly submit to you this expression of my heart, and tribute to the Love of my Life...
...My Lady.
