Emma and I: The Beautiful Labrador Who Saved My Life

by Sheila Hocken

As a girl, Sheila never let her gradual descent into blindness prevent her from trying to do everything a sighted person could do. Then at 17, unable to see to find her way around the house she grew up in, she found herself dreading her future in an 'ever darkening vacuum'.But then the remarkable Emma enters her life, and Sheila begins a journey that brings her the independence, love and happiness she never dreamed possible.Emma and I is the moving and inspirational story of the unique bond between Sheila and her dog, and shows that, sometimes, miracles do happen.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Biography, Dogs, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Grammar*Kitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and I is a touching story by Sheila Hocken; indeed it is an autobiographical tale of her fight for sight and her relationship with her 'eyes', Emma, a beautiful chocolate Labrador: her guide dog.

This memoir is an inspirational story of how Sheila refused to accept her blindness; she found independence through her pairing with Emma, love through her other senses (her hearing and the radio, no less) and finally she rediscovered the world anew after fighting for pioneering treatent to restore her sight, just in time to enjoy Emma's retirement with her, after years of loyal and devoted service.

This is a truly lovely and inspirational book, which had my emotions up and down like a rollercoaster along with those that Sheila felt at the time. She conveys her hope and despair with a wonderful flair, making you experience it along with her. She writes with love of her companion, friend and 'eyes', Emma, which comes across in every word - especially when she describes seeing her for the first time!

I would recommend this to everybody - it really puts life into perspective, and makes you realise how lucky you have been. It's great for animal lovers and softies everywhere - a beautiful book wiht a happy ending - what more could you ask for?

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book and an easy choice for me to put it in my shelf for 'best' dog books. Sheila was blind and talked about all the difficulties she faced. Rather than being in a complaining way, she just describes things as they were. Then she gets a chocolate-colored Labrador and:

'So that was it. We had made it. The sense of freedom was overwhelming. I got over my awful feelings of guilt, because I sensed that Emma understood and forgave. That afternoon I walked with her down the busy main road in Leamington, crowded with shoppers. I walked with a great smile on my face, weaving in and out of all those people, thinking, I don't care if you can see I'm blind. I can see too. I've got Emma, and she's all I need.'

I have read other books on people who are blind and then got guide dogs, and this one is the best. But then the book goes way further when she receives an operation that restores her sight. Wow. I would love to include quotes on how well that is described and that experience but want to leave it to those who read the book.

Sharing her experience of her getting her sight makes the book amazing, but there are also different ways the dog saves the day or knows what to do that easily make it fit into a best 'dog' book.

[Bionic Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

First part of Sheila Hocken's fascinating autobiography and continuing story about her guide dog Emma.

Rating to be reviewed when I have reread the book.

[Read Kirklees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a child. I was the kind of kid that roams your bookshelves and picks whatever she fancies; I came across my mum’s copies of Sheila Hocken’s autobiographies on a random shelf one summer and read through the whole five-part series in a greedy daze. I imagine my parents were pleased to have a short break from me clamouring for more reading material.

Sheila’s story (first published 1978) is tremendously uplifting to read, as a child or as an adult. You’re taken through her experiences as growing up as a visually impaired child in a visually impaired family. That might sound depressing, but actually it’s incredibly cheerful and Sheila’s cheerfulness about her life comes through with many funny stories of everyday difficulties when you are blind as well as Sheila’s sense of ‘can-do’ and self-confidence.

The story of how she gets her guidedog, Emma, and the difference that she makes to her life, hit me right in the heart as I re-read it. The practical problems in a world set up for sighted people are made clear and Emma’s support and friendship make them the perfect team. I enjoyed the insight into how guidedogs work and the funny stories about Emma’s behaviour.

I enjoyed reading this book just as much I did the first time, though I shed a few more tears. It’s an ideal read for when you feel that life is tough, since Sheila really faces down every obstacle.

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

INSPIRING.

Sheila's story is inspiring and hats off to her for writing about being blind without it turning into a pity party, it's one of the reasons I enjoyed reading her story and experience - she focused on the things she was able to do despite being blind, like have a job, living on her own and even learning how to do her makeup!

The dog, Emma, fascinated me. I'm not a big fan of animals especially pets but I was astounded to learn dogs can be trained to do some of the things that Emma could do for Sheila. However, I'm reminded of a dog we once owned when I was young that my dad gave away to a friend. The first time my dad took the dog to his friend's house, it came back home. This happened 3 times and I remember even as a young girl, being shocked and amazed that the dog knew how to find it's way to our home. [God's creation is amazing.]

Similar to Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, this book highlighted how our world is not built with people with disabilities in mind. It's something that I hope is being corrected in any way that it can.

Lastly, after Sheila's eyes were operated on and she was able to see, I enjoyed reading about how excited she was to see the world around her. One incident that stood out was when she called her husband to come and see a bird that was sitting in a tree. That's all the bird was doing, sitting in a tree and Sheila was amazed and excited to see that because it's just something that she had heard about but now she saw it with her own eyes. We really do take some things for granted forgetting so many people do not have the ability to enjoy some things that we do.

What I took from this is that it's possible to enjoy life no matter what. So many times we get bogged down by what we don't have but we can make the most of what we do have and live a beautiful life.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this many years ago when I was about 12. I remember being impressed at how Sheila's family managed to keep everything (and everyone) together, and then of course I was thrilled when Emma appeared. The details about how people with little or no vision handled day to day life, from learning new skills to meeting people or even pouring a cup of tea, were fascinating.

This has been a regular reread for me, every few years, when I want to remind myself how wonderful relationships can be and especially how important guide dogs are.

[Bionic Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

First part of Sheila Hocken's fascinating autobiography and continuing story about her guide dog Emma.

Rating to be reviewed when I have reread the book.

[Rita Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-warming story about a woman who is determined to live independently, despite becoming completely blind in her late teens and the guide dog which enables her to do so. Emma, the chocolate-coloured labrador, can recognise the names of shops (especially 'butcher'), bus stops and people. Her level of understanding and dedication is phenomenal.

[Rachel Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is an educational and inspiring memoir to say the least. I was immediately taken by this authors story, especially with her simple, lyrical, and often comical language. Originally I picked up this book because of the adorable puppy on the cover, ready to fall in love, which was an instant reaction upon meeting Emma. I didn’t yet realize this protagonists sensational journey would leave me so incredibly moved and in awe of a world I thought i had seen clearly already.

[Ralph-Peter Hendriks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and uplifting experiences about a blind woman and her (amazing) dog.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely memoir about a woman who gradually loses her sight through her childhood, and is eventually provided with a chocolate lab called Emma to be her guide dog, opening up the possibility of a normal life. It was written in the early 70s when treatments for blindness were not so developed and therefore many more people were affected. Sheila bonds immediately with her clever dog and describes in some detail how Emma helps her day to day. It was moving and quite funny, as well as a good insight into the world of the blind.

[Chloe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing and touching book. As a blind person myself, I can only feel lucky that I haven't experienced half of the problems that Sheila did. The reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 however, is because I take some of the contents of the book with a pinch of salt. Some things are exaggerated and portray blind people in a bad light. It isn't as depressing as she makes out and blind people shouldn't be pittied for it.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, easy-to-read story about love, patience and miracles. Not only does it tell a wonderful story about the work of assistance dogs, but it also tells a story about the life of an unsighted person, and the challenges and triumphs that they face every day.

If you love this book, you should also read Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson. You won't be disappointed.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably hard to put down. Whenever I was away from its pages I found my mind wandering back to them anyways.
Mrs Hocken is truly inspirational, but she would not be if she didn't have Emma. Together, they are heroic and a force to look up too. It's incredible the bond that can be forged between two , the trust that can be built and the the sense of individuality that being together can give.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheila grew up in a family of visually impaired people. Her mother wanted her to be normal so she was given ways to do things rather than obstacles to overcome. Her brother was older and had a failed eye operation so he had sight in one eye only. His father started with some vision but was gradually losing his remaining sight. Sheila started with poor vision and it deteriorated as she grew older. She was a child apart doing everything by touch.

She was looking for work as a registered blind person. When she rang a company called Industrial Pumps to apply for a position as a switchboard operator, she didn't know if she'd get an interview. The man she called was disabled himself, with one leg shorter than the other, and he encouraged Sheila to come for the interview. She got the job on the spot and they had a Braille switchboard put in.

After a difficult trip back home after work one evening, missing the bus and walking to the next bus stop over and over until she reached the depot. The person she'd made an appointment to meet greeted her asking why she was late. When she explained he asked, 'why on Earth don't you have a guide dog?' Those words changed her life and in walked Emma. Well after training and suitability were assessed. Emma a brown labrador that was intelligent and adorable became an extension of her world.

The many friends she made came from all sorts of opportunities she took on. Doing writing evening classes she met Anita who became a firm friend and offered Sheila independence. They found a flat and Sheila moved out of her family home. Then she met Don and went on several dates with him. This led to a long-term wait for him to be free to marry her. The day came and they were delighted.

When Sheila spoke to her brother Graham, about an eye operation, it tweaked her interest in doing the same. The genetic problem was not so bad for him. But it turned out he could not be operated on but Sheila could. The description of waiting for the operation and then the recovery, her adjustment to sight, makes the journey more remarkable.

I loved this memoir and believe everyone should push themselves and enjoy every minute of life as Sheila Hocken had done.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Hocken grew up in a family where everyone had vision problems due to hereditary cataracts, yet her parents did their best to raise her as part of the wider, seeing world, with as normal a life as possible. In this lovely, perceptive and deeply moving memoir, she relates the challenges and joys of gaining independence while working with her first guide dog, Emma. When the possibility of restored vision comes along because of a skilled surgeon, she has the operation which is a great success.
Hocken shares observations about what blind people think about regaining sight and how these ideas are shaped by when they lost it. She notes that even the most well-adjusted blind person, if presented with that possibility, may have moments of doubt about their current blindness, wondering "what if." Her vivid descriptions of the exhaustion, confusion, and fear that were part of her learning to see after thirty years of blindness go a long way toward answering most people's question to blind people about whether they'd want sight if they could have it. She grapples with that question and decides she would want to try to see. Her exuberant account of seeing color are breathtaking, and she is delighted to discover that, as wonderful as her husband's descriptions of sunsets have been, they can't compare to seeing the real thing. She marvels that she will no longer have to settle for "secondhand sunsets."
Along with the beauty and wonder, she must also confront unknown visual concepts like relative motion, perspective, and distance. Her first glimpses of human hands, noses, and legs disgust her, and she is amazed at how her perceptions of people change. Gone is her general acceptance of humanity experienced only through sound, and she admits to finding some common features, like baldness or obesity, repulsive.
As miraculous as her story is and as fraught with emotion as her journey to seeing was, Hocken conveys her responses to it all without melodrama or undue fuss. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of living with and without sight by sharing in this well-crafted, heartfelt, and honest book.

[Daniel Cafarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Emma and I” is a wonderful autobiography by Sheila Hocken, and tells the story of her life as a legally blind woman. Her whole family is blind. This memoir begins in a city called Nottingham, England when she is a teenager. It describes the predicaments she faces and how she solves them. Her hometeacher recommends a guide dog. This is where we meet Emma,the chocolate brown Labrador who changes Sheila’s life forever. Emma helps Sheila to accomplish everything in life that people with proper vision can accomplish. She is able to build relationships, and live in her own home. Throughout the book she confronts conflicting feelings. Sheila is often frightened and worried when she is trying to live independent, but shows us how bold, engaged, and persistent she can be. She describes how other people choose to view her in a negative way. I was blown away by this book and couldn’t wait to see what happens next. It was fabulous to see a connection between a dog and its owner. I enjoyed it was great to see people do things others assumed they could not do. It is marvelous that there are people in this world that are more than willing to help others with disabilities. It is outstanding to know that a dog can have such a positive impact on someone’s life. The bad side is that the book can be sad at times like when Graham couldn’t have the operation to fix his sight. I would recommend this book to all kinds of people. I would recommend this book to people who have a love for dogs, people who set goals and refuse to fail, and anyone who is interested in helping others. This book went beyond my expectations. When I first started to read the book I wasn’t interested, but what kept me reading was the dog. She looks like my Aunt Cathrine’s dog Heidi. At the end of the book I was really stunned because I never expected what happened to Sheila. When I finished the book I was impressed to see that Sheila overcame the challenges that came in her life. I would be more than interested to read about what comes next in Sheila’s life.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Emma & I by Sheila Hocken. 06/23/2017

This was a relaxing read and I enlightened by the story of a child being born with a rare disease that caused her to be blind. She had light blurred vision but as she got older she went blind. It is such an inspiring story, well written, and Shiela will take you through her childhood to the adult she became never feeling sorry for herself and greatly appreciates the gifts she is given which includes Emma, a Labrador Retriever who is a guide dog.

As the reader it was emotional journey to the end. The book relates Shiela’s inner thoughts, feelings, insight on how she viewed, people, life challenges, and yes, her frustrations with mostly herself if she couldn’t understand an issue or situation quick enough. Shiela’s shares an amazing insight to others about being blind, how she was capable of caring for a guide dog and knowing the value of having one, and the miracle that came to her one day as an adult.

Shiela’s words are clear and honest. There was hardly anything she couldn’t manage on her own. She later found out as an adult that there was a doctor who specialized with more modern technology when it came to eye care. Shiela went through surgery for her eyes and her healing progress was also emotional. The day the doctor took the bandages off her eyes Shiela described her experience of blurred vision like what she had as a small child. However, as each day passed she described colors and shapes and seeing a persons image for the first time but most of all she was overjoyed to a high pleasure of delight when she seen Emma for the first time.

[Misfortune8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

[NO SPOILERS]
I read this uplifting book as a kid & have searched on this site extensively, as it has stayed with me throughout my life. I would not describe myself as a dog person: what impressed me was how Sheila accomplished everyday tasks despite her blindness & also her overwhelming positivity.

When I read her description of how blind people navigate stairs, I raced out to my front steps, which had no handrail, shut my eyes & descended by sliding my heels down each riser to the next step & ascended by sliding my toes in the same manner. I revert to this technique whenever I encounter a stairway with poor lighting.

Sheila described how she applied makeup & threaded a needle without a needle-threader. I was too young for makeup, but I tested her needle threading method. It took me multiple attempts, & I cheated by opening my eyes several times, but it worked! That is another of Sheila's tricks I continue to use when in dim lighting.

I HEARTILY recommend this book for children & adults.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely true story of one partially blind child growing up in a household of mother, father and brother all having variable degrees of sight. Her own sight gradually waned as she got older until her sight had left her with seeing only slight shades of dark and light.
Then Emma came into her life. It took a month away, training very hard at the school to learn how to deal with a dog on a harness, who would be helping her in the future, by being her eyes.
I don't know if any of you readers has heard that the general consensus is that Choccy Labs are 'thick'. never get one. I say, about my own choccy Lab Bonnie, that she doesn't know what colour she is and it was oh so wonderful to know that Emma was also a chocolate Labrador.
If you love dogs, this is the book for you, so happy reading and well done to Sheila and Emma for telling us your story.

[Jenny Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it is the story of a girl dealing wit hblindness and her adventures with her guide dog living in England. But this is the first book she writes and I felt like in the second book Emma V.I.P she saying a lot of pitiful remarks about blindness. She gets a surgery that gives her back a lot of sight and after her surgery it seems like she is talking about how awful blindness was for her and it just left me feeling weird instead of uplifted. I am sure my persppective is different because I am blind so maybe for sighted people it is an amazing trilogy. Even though the second book was a struggle to get through I did end up reading the third one called Emma and Co. I did very much enjoy the stories of her dogs and all in all I'm glad I read them.

[MRS R FAWCETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a marvellous book!

I first read this book back in the 70's when Sheila first wrote it! I loved it then and after reading it again I still love it! Sheila describes her years with Emma so perfectly and it is very hard to put the book down! Because I have so much admiration for Emma and other Guide Dogs since reading this book Guide Dogs have always had a special place in my heart! I retired 9 months ago from work and soon after an advert for Guide Dogs Puppy Walkers jumped out at me! I thought this advert is for me! So here I am now with Honey, a Guide Dog in training!

[C. J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago and it was responsible for my being determined to seek out a dog of my own as soon as circumstances would allow. I never regretted my decision and I became the proud owner of a black retriever Labrador that was mine for fourteen years. She enriched my life and helped me to gain in confidence and became my best friend . This is a very emotional read and has the power to change people`s outlook about caring for an intelligent, sensitive animal. Adults and children alike would find the relationship to be mutually rewarding, especially where special needs are involved.

[Brit McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books about guide dogs are always going to get under my skin and nothing will ever stop me consuming these books like air. For me, in my role, reading these stories are incredibly life-affirming and I know that I have a privileged role in that world that not many other people do.

I hope that people who are not as close to the subject will still read these stories, take on the message and also enjoy the beautiful bond between dog and handler that we are able to see through Sheila Hocken's words.

Sheila Hocken writes well and does a great job of transporting us into her shoes as she deals with her deteriorating sight, trains with her guide dog Emma and takes back her world.

[Vhrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kutyás történetek engem (szinte) mindig megvesznek kilóra, ez most sem volt másképp. Ráadásul ez valós történet, ugyanis a szerző meséli el, miként élte meg a vakságát, és mennyit segített az, amikor vakvezető kutyát kapott. Egyébként valóban lenyűgöző, mennyire okosak ezek az állatok, de szerintem itt kissé el van túlozva a dolog. A kötet inkább a szerző személyes érzelmeire fókuszál, nem az ismeretterjesztésre, de azért kapunk némi információt a kutyák és gazdáik kiképzéséről is. Többnyire inkább vicces szituációkkal találkozunk, mint szomorúakkal. Nagyon egyszerűen fogalmazott szöveg, gyorsan lehet vele haladni. Kedves, szívmelengető történet volt!

[Claire]

As a girl, Sheila never let her gradual descent into blindness prevent her from trying to do everything a sighted person could do. Then, at 17, she found herself dreading her future in an 'ever darkening vacuum'. But then Emma - a chocolate Labrador - enters her life, and Sheila begins a journey of independence, love and happiness....
A lovely gentle tale that I remember from childhood I'd love to know how the sats have changed since the 80's. Dogs die I know but it was still sad to know that Emma had passed away.

[Joe Rodeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Emma & I* is an easy to take book about guide dogs for the blind. Sheila is congenitally blind. When she gets her Labrador guide dog, a new world of independence opens up for her. She doesn’t get much help as she has to search for jobs or find a place to live, but she manages. We get a good introduction to how these dog schools operate and insights into the area of living life being blind.

Reading level: Easy. Would recommend for middle school and up. It teaches compassion for the handicapped.

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book follows a young woman and her search for sight. in this book sheila, the main character, is blind and enrolls to get a guide dog. she gets Emma. Emma is a female chocolate lab. once sheila gets Emma her life suddenly becomes better and she eventually tries to get surgery to not be blind anymore.

i personally love this book, it is very inspiring and full of hope. i would recommend it to all people who like books with hope.

[Ann Litwack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and I was a beautiful story about a woman who loses her sight in her teens and her bond with her seeing eye dog. This book shows what blind people have to deal on a daily basis and how they are treated. It is an autobiography of Shelia and her unique seeing eye dog Emma. It shows her strength and how she overcomes many hurtles. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who would like to step into the shoes of a blind person to see how they live.

[Alice Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is touching and an “easy read”. I learned about many aspects of blindness that I hadn’t considered.
Unfortunately, I felt the ending when Sheila regains her sight to be disappointingly ableist. I am happy the surgery was effective but the way the story was told seemed thoughtless to those who are blind.