OK, so by mid April Shannon ( mario 07 ) and I had already decided and planned to go to the Rattie Meetup in Tenn.  We were so excited!!!! Meeting other members of this site is one of the best feelings ever.  It's great getting to put names with faces and actually getting to see the pups.  Trust me pics don't do these beautiful doggies justice.  So with Emma being in Texas and me I N.C. now it was time to figure out how to get my little princess.  Emma was born near the Austin area and Pam Wh. lived near the Dallas area.  Sara's husband was wonderful enough to take Emma to Pam.  Pam was also planning on coming to the meetup in Tenn.  So Shannon and I had decided that it was just ment to happen.  Especially since all of us were already heading to Tenn. even before I had gotten Emma! Pam watched Emma for a week and would up date me on her everyday.  She would post the most precious pictures and everyday I would cry looking at them.  I was soooo excited.  I grew to love this little girl more and more everyday... even before I got her. And finally... finally Friday came.  So on a Friday morning April 27th I drove to Shannon's which is about 25 minutes away and we packed up her car and headed for Tennesee!  What was actually a seven hour drive really felt more like a three hour drive.  We talked and laughed and just had the best road trip.  Even getting lost was an adventure!!!!  But getting lost is a whole 'nother story... trust me!  We finally made it to Nora's and WOW!   I really ( already ) felt like I was amoung family.  It wasn't like we were first meeting it was more like a family reunion!  Emma wasn't there yet.  Pam and her husband had the longest drive so it wouldn't be until I got a phone call the next morning from Pam saying Emma was ready to meet her new mommy.  Shannon knew by looking at me who was on the other end of the phone.  And when I hung up I was soooo excited, nervous, anxious, etc.  Shannon told me to calm down a little but she knew how excited I was.  We were all at the same hotel so Emma was just around the corner from me!  I couldn't believe it.  So I fast walked myself to Pam's room, knock on the door, and tell myself "Don't cry."  Pam opens the door.  I was sooo happy to finally meet Pam but also to see my little Emma.  Everything went by so fast I can't remeber what was said but I do remember Emma's puppy smell.  She was sooo much tinier than I ever imagined.  She was scared and so was I.  I'd never held any living thing sooo small before!  From the moment I got back to our hotel room Apollo was already protective.  Mario just wanted to see his new cousin!    They all sniffed and got to know each other as Shannon and I took turns getting ready for our first full day of the Meetup. 

*Stay tuned for the continuing saga of "Days of Our Ratties!"

Hahaha!!  Yes, getting lost is a whole 'NOTHER' story!! 

That was the BEST trip EVER!! 

I can't believe all of this happened about 15 minutes from where I live!!!!!  I live right outside of Nashville and I missed it all.  I'll definitely be there next year (will there be a next year????)  So far, Jolene, the story is great.  And one more dumb question...is Mario really Emma's cousin?

I'll be waiting for the next installment of ...Days of Our Ratties!

Joy

Hehehehe!  No not really.  But some of us here of dubed ourselves "Aunties and Uncles".  So that makes our ratties "cousins".  Like saying you are Emma and Apollo's Aunt would make Molly and Josie their cousins. 

Well, I'M Emma's godmother.   That means if you ever want to get rid of her, you have to give her to me. 

   I don't think that would happen Pam.