One day, Emma the dog leaves the vet with a mysterious cone fastened around her neck. How did it get there? And why does it look like a lampshade? It dulls her digging and makes Garson the fashionable greyhound gawk at her. After several fruitless escape maneuvers, Emma sulks and accepts that the cone isn't coming off. But Emma soon discovers by a happy accident that her cone is perfect for catching the balls her human throws, and she realizes the cone might be good to have after all. And as it turns out, it's useful for lots of things! It's the perfect helmet for Emma's acrobatic hallway hurtles, it helps her shovel through dirt at triple speed, and Garson actually likes the fashion statement. But best of all, it's the means for enacting revenge on Kevin, the sneaky squirrel that teases her from the fence post and pelts her with crab apples. Inspiration comes with the first big snowfall as Emma watches snow fill the birdbath. She sits still and lets snow fill her cone until, thanks to the birdbath-like shape of her raised cone, she's disguised as a snowy lawn ornament herself. At just the right moment, she BARKS at full blast and scares the unsuspecting Keith out of the yard. The next day, her human takes the cone away and, just like that, she's free! But Emma won't forget her cone days and the lesson they taught her--that cone or no cone, she's still the best dog ever. A lighthearted and humorous take on creative problem-solving and making the best of what appears to be an unwelcome situation.