Like parents and their children, everyone believes that their dog is the best, the cutest, the smartest. But some dogs stand out in the crowd. These are "extraordinary dogs," whose hard work, love, and devotion not only enhance human life, but change it.

NATURE probed the many facets of these wonderful creatures in "Extraordinary Dogs," which aired during the 1996-1997 season on PBS.

As an accompaniment to the television program, wNetStation held a contest, asking kids under age 12 to write an essay or draw a picture of an Extraordinary Dog they know, and explain why the dog is extraordinary. After receiving hundreds of entries from across the country, we chose a first place winner for essay and another for drawing winners, and a handful of runners-up and honorable mentions.

Now celebrating its 15th anniversary season, NATURE is produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET in New York. George Page is Host and Executive Editor. Fred Kaufman is Executive Producer.