He's My Best Buddy

James Wilkerson Yoder is seven years old today. Oh, excuse me, that is my eight pound Toy Poodle, 'Yodie.'

I can tell scrolling Facebook entries that the American people are crazy dog lovers. Those who don't care for dogs are just crazy.

I have had a dog my entire life. The first dog I called mine was actually my mothers dog when she was a teenager. 'Pal' was a medium size mixed breed. A lovable dog. I could take you to the spot where Grandpa E.V. Bennett buried that old dog. My wife and I have held too many old dogs that were 'put-down' due to various irreversible health issues. Hope I don't have to do that again.

As a young boy, I remember talking to my dogs when we were alone. I don't do that these days; I talk to Yodie ALL the time regardless if alone or in a crowd. One of my daughters said that I treat Yodie better than I treated my kids...never did understand the point she was making.

 I have never been good training dogs. Once I house break them I stop bugging my dogs. Yodie, however has done a good job training me. I know what a soft growl means vs. a deep growl and a right rear leg 'raking' has a different meaning than a left rear leg 'rake.' I'll tell you something else about Yodie...he defines unconditional love.

Who ever said, "Dog is man's best friend" was right on! Happy birthday, little buddy.