But the cute canine was tragically taken to a local vet to be put down when the dead woman’s final wishes were revealed.
The manager of Chesterfield Animal Services, Carrie Jones, where Emma was staying, revealed to WWBT, ‘We did suggest they could sign the dog over on numerous occasions, because it’s a dog we could easily find a home for and re-home.’
But despite their protests, the executor of the owner’s estate retrieved Emma from the shelter.
‘Ultimately, they came back in on March 22 and redeemed the dog,’ she added.
Emma was taken to a local vet, euthanised and taken to a pet cremation.
The dog’s ashes were put in an urn and buried with her dead owner.
Unsurprisingly, many people were outraged to hear about the controversial demand, with one person describing it as ‘Terrible and selfish.’
Another Twitter user added, ‘That is disgusting.’
In 2014, Virginia laws made it legal for human remains and the pets of the deceased humans to be buried together.
But that cemeteries must set aside and create clearly marked sections where they are buried together.
Dr. Kenny Lucas of the Shady Grove Animal Clinic told WWBT: 'Whenever we’re faced with a euthanasia situation, it’s a very emotional situation, and beyond everything we talk about, that we need to do ethically, and we’ve taken an oath to do and it’s something we take home, too. It weighs on us as professionals.'
