Hi SaddleBag Notes friends! I’m Emma, your cheerful little white dog who loves morning golf-course walks, greeting neighbors, and riding through the community in our golf cart. I write this column to share a dog’s-eye view on life here in SaddleBrooke—with kindness, gentle humor, and just a touch of tail-wagging wisdom. I hope you’ll pull up a comfy chair, maybe with a warm cup of something nice, and spend a moment with me.
By the way, you can follow more of my adventures (and see lots of photos!) on my blog Life With Emma in the Desert at emmathewhitedog.com. I’d love to have you visit!
December in SaddleBrooke — A Dog’s View of the Holidays
Well friends, here we are—December! I can feel the holiday energy all around our neighborhood. Lights twinkle along rooftops, music floats through open doors, and sometimes I even spot a big inflatable snowman waving at me (I give him a polite but cautious side-eye).
Humans celebrate many different holidays during this season—Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and others too. From a dog’s perspective, the best part is the feeling these holidays bring: warmth, closeness, kindness, laughter, and the delicious smell of something baking in the kitchen.
Here are a few helpful reminders for a safe and happy holiday season for dogs:
- Cookies, chocolates, candies, nuts, and fruitcakes are NOT dog treats.
- Wrapping paper, bows, and ribbon are fun to pounce on — but not to eat.
- Visitors and parties are exciting, but sometimes dogs need a quiet space to rest.
- And if you’re baking, roasting, or carving, please remember: dogs are always watching and hoping!
Through all of this, the greatest gift a dog could ever ask for is simply being close to you—a cozy snuggle, a slow walk, or resting our head on your knee.
Looking Back — and Forward
As 2025 draws to a close, I want to say how grateful I am. This was the year I began writing this Ask Emma column— nd what a joy it has been! Thank you for welcoming my little dog voice into your hearts and homes.
I’m excited to continue in 2026—sharing stories, answering questions and celebrating this special community we all love.
Happy Holidays, dear friends—and Happy New Year! May your days be bright, your walks be gentle and your treats be plentiful.
Have a question for me? I’d love to hear from you!
Email me at Emmathewhitedog@gmail.com, and I may answer it in a future column.
101 homes to be built on NW Tucson corner
