Working Dog Wednesday: Emmi the Pug

Meet my friend Emmi. Doesn't she look very happy with herself? That's because she's smug as a pug...and she deserves it!

Emmi is a sweet rescue pug who lives in Las Vegas and is anywhere from 8 to 10 years old. Nobody knows her exact age because she was abandoned in an apartment without any food or water. Fortunately, she was rescued by a great organization called www.rescuepugs.com, which is how she eventually made her way to her two-legged mom, Claire.

Emmi is also a certified therapy dog who visits patients at the local hospice. I wrote about Emmi in my book because she and her mom didn't just dream about creating a meaningful life—they made it happen.

You see, becoming a certified therapy dog is a multistep process that requires time and commitment. Emmi and her mom began the process by studying the legal issues surrounding hospice care and learning all about the needs of patients, their families and the staff.

Next, Emmi had to take a practical exam on topics like obedience, following commands, ignoring distractions and interacting with other dogs, people and situations.

Finally, Emmi and her mom went on three supervised hospice visits. It took dedication and hard work, but now they are certified to visit the hospice on their own, where they bring love and comfort to patients and their families in very trying times.

The moral of Emmi's story is that she and her two-legged mom had a plan and they doggedly stuck with it. They didn't just dream about living a meaningful life, they created one.

What's your plan?