My daughter Emma got a new dog yesterday, along with her daughter Robin and husband Jay. The dog doesn’t really have a name yet – the rescue group took her out of Kentucky and Emma now has her in their apartment in Brooklyn.

The rescue group knows absolutely nothing about her or where she came from. First evening is expectedly rocky, the dog is freaking out in the crate, peeing in the hallways, trying to figure things out.

They think she is part Lab, I see a bit of that in  her head and eyes, and she has the outlines of German Shepherd’s nose.

Robin, my granddaughter loves the dog, and I told Emma the dog would have the family trained in a matter of weeks, I think she is sweet looking, and Emma says that is what she’s like.

Emma called me several times for advice, and I felt like a useful father, something I don’t often get to feel. Emma is very competent and manages her life well and independently. That’s what I always wanted.

I have never wanted Emma to be enmeshed in my life, I don’t want her to be responsible for me or take care of me, I don’t want her to ever be my caregiver, I want her to live her own life freely and fully. That is just what she is doing.

Sometimes I feel like I’m crazy wanting that, everywhere around me, people are deeply involved in the lives of their parents, surrendering much of their lives when they get sick. This is both noble and fortunate for so many, but it’s not what I want for her or for me.

Emma does consult with me on dog matters, at least at first,  and her dog Pearl  came from my farm in West Hebron. I gave Emma my crate training speech and we talked about housebreaking and getting through the first few nights. It will be an interesting time with a two-year-old in the apartment, i told her to take the long view and imagine calm and cuddling down the road.

The dog has mischief and wisdom in her eyes.

I love the look of this dog, Emma has good instincts and they will all figure it out. She is thinking of coming up here with the dog for a few days, It must be a little hairy, it takes a lot for Emma to get out of Brooklyn and into the country.

If all else fails, I’ll get down there. Does this mean I have a granddog? Sounds a bit strange to me.