The Dog in My Header

Sweet little Emma, a black lab, is my dad and stepmom's dog.  Emma is a "release" dog from Canine Companions for Independence, meaning she was in training to become a support dog but didn't graduate. My dad and stepmom do volunteer work for CCI and asked to be put on a waiting list for a release dog.  After a long wait they were finally blessed with Emma, who is the sweetest dog ever, and very gentle with children. But because support dogs are subjected to a variety of situations, and CCI holds their dogs to very high standards, it was felt she was too skittish around children. So she didn't quite cut it as a support dog, but she sure loves her new home! To say she is spoiled is an absolute understatement.