An enormously exciting day for Armahani Kennels with the arrival of my beautiful girl Lumiturpa Emmi (Imp Fnl) from Finland. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude to the faith and trust shown in me by Matti Takanen and Riitta Takalo, of the hugely successful Lumiturpa Kennels, for allowing this gorgeous girl to wing her way to me.
But if I am speechless at that, how can I begin to thank my true friend Johanna Ollila, her husband and boys, for adopting Emmi as part of their family, to be raised with her brother Eppu until she grew old enough to come to Australia. Johanna has kept me sane over the last nine months with photos and updates, has gone through the massive paperwork required, all of the vet visits and blood testing needed, not to mention the various chewed articles of furniture and clothing! She managed to do all the last minute preparation to get Emmi ready for and onto her flight, while having her own (human) baby boy less than a week ago! Johanna, I can never thank you enough.
Emmi touched down at Melbourne Airport at 6.35am yesterday morning. After an almost sleepless night, I received word on the way to work that she had landed and was being taken through customs. A couple of hours later I was able to speak to quarantine officials to be told she had traveled well, and I could finally relax.
This afternoon I was able to visit her for the first time. I had the luck to be able to share that pleasure with my parents (very keen to see their grand-daughter for the first time - I got a "congratulations on the safe arrival of your baby girl" card yesterday *grin*), and my friend Pam Francis from Magpielane Kennels who traveled a couple of hours to be there for the occasion. I was lucky enough to be with Pam when she visited her boy Tarka for the first time in quarantine last year, so it was lovely to be able to have a role-reversal this time.
I was hoping to be able to write here that Emmi is everything I had ever dreamt and imagined. Instead I have to write that Emmi is far far more than I ever could have dreamt and imagined. An absolutely gorgeous girl, she is perfect in every way. I spent the first few moments with her rather speechless, in awe that this special girl is actually mine. Pam's first words on arrival were "oh Jacq!" and all I could say in response was "I know! I know!"
Emmi is all female, with just the most lovely head and feminine expression. Those ears I could just gobble up, they are so adorable. Her angulation is lovely, her top line perfect, and that bone!! Boy oh boy, this girl sure has substance! She is simply stunning now, and still only 9 months of age.
Add to this the most delightful temperament you can imagine. She has gone through the trauma of a very long flight to a very strange place only one day ago, but was as happy as you could imagine and greeted everyone with kisses and cuddles. This is a girl who will just melt your heart and make you fall in love with her. Even the quarantine official who is in charge of her care over the next month, after being told NO she cannot take her home, has already put in a puppy order *grin*.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey over the last 18 months. Riitta & Matti, Johanna, and all of the wonderful Finnish Lapphund people here and overseas for support and encouragement through a journey that has been tumultuous at times, always exciting, and worth every second. For Emmi and I, our life together has just begun, and I am sure it will be full of lots of fun, love and a good dose of glory!
I just cannot wait to bring her home! That happy occasion will be on the 3 March. |
