Emmett

By Joe and Nancy V.
December 27, 1997- March 3, 2008
 
Emmett was a special Golden Retriever.

Tops in his obedience classes and achieved 3 Obedience titles and 2 Hunt titles.

Emmett spent many hours doing volunteer therapy work from the age of 2 up to two weeks before his passing. He delighted seniors at many nursing homes and local hospitals. He did work at the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland. There he became very close to a little girl who was learning to walk.  She would grab handfuls of his fur and tail, he didn’t mind, and they would walk the halls together. 
 
Emmett helped to start the "Tails to a Dog" reading program at the Wickliffe Public Library seven years ago and had never missed a reading engagement.
 
Last summer Emmett started a therapy dog program for the Akron Rotary, where he and six of his buddies went to Hale Farm and Village and put on demonstrations in obedience, dog safety and agility.  The disabled kids even got involved by running the dogs through the agility course. The therapy group has vowed to continue delighting the kids in light of Emmett’s passing.
 
Emmett was also involved in a precision drill team, Heel-N-Time for a couple of years where he made many friends.  He has also put on demonstrations in water retrieval at Lake Farm Park during "Working Dog Weekend" over the years.
 
Emmett also enjoyed delighting the staff at Wayne Homes, where he made several visits always bringing smiles. One memorable visit he dressed up as Superman during Halloween and carried a pumpkin full of candy to everyone’s cubical to brighten their day. 
 
Emmett’s greatest achievement was being an ambassador to the Golden Retriever In Need Rescue Organization.  He welcomed rescued Goldens into his home as a foster buddy and had adopted one very special Golden "Tommy". Tommy was elderly and blind when he came into our house. Emmett became Tommy’s Seeing Eye dog.  While on walks Emmett stayed close to Tommy, so Tommy could keep his head raised high and enjoy the moment and not worry about where he was going.  Emmett was also one of the greatest fundraisers for G.R.I.N.  He has raised several thousand dollars over the years for G.R.I.N.  Many of you might remember him from the Western Reserve Dog show at the IX Center in December.  He could be found prancing the isles dressed as Santa Claus and collecting donations for G.R.I.N.
 
He is survived by two brothers Otis and Ozzie, who will continue in their brothers paws steps in helping to raise donations for G.R.I.N. and put smiles on the faces they encounter.  
 
Emmett battled liver cancer for the past two years during which he achieved his two hunt titles.