Willie Morris’s “My Dog Skip” is a tender and evocative memoir that transports readers back to a simpler time, centered around the profound bond between a young boy and his beloved dog, Skip. Set in the unhurried landscape of Yazoo, Mississippi, during the 1940s, the book captures the essence of childhood in a small Southern town, seen through the eyes of Morris and his spirited canine companion. This excerpt offers a poignant glimpse into their shared adventures, highlighting Skip’s unique intelligence and the deep emotional connection they forged.
This memoir is a rich experience, celebrating a dog truly worth writing about. For those interested in heartwarming stories of animal companionship and nostalgic recollections of childhood, “My Dog Skip” offers a captivating narrative. You can find more about the book here.
A Faded Photograph and a New Beginning
The narrative opens with Morris recounting how he stumbled upon a faded photograph of Skip, a poignant reminder of their time together. The image, capturing Skip’s alert posture and keen eyes, evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia, even decades later. The author then revisits the day Skip entered his life in 1943. At nine years old, Morris eagerly awaited the arrival of the puppy ordered by his father. The memory of opening the kennel door and meeting the small, wobbly-legged pup is vividly recalled. Skip’s immediate affection, jumping into the boy’s lap and offering a comforting lick, marked the beginning of an extraordinary friendship. Morris, an only child, found in Skip not just a pet, but a true confidant and playmate.
Skip, initially named Skipper for his lively demeanor, quickly became an integral part of the Morris household. Morris reflects on his prior experiences with various dogs, but none quite measured up to Skip’s unique personality and intelligence. He describes Skip’s uncanny ability to understand human communication, noting that one could “talk to him as well as you could to many human beings, and much better than you could to some.” Skip’s head tilts and oscillating body movements conveyed his comprehension, creating a deep, almost telepathic bond between boy and dog.
A Dog of Remarkable Talents
The excerpt details a series of remarkable anecdotes that showcase Skip’s extraordinary intelligence and willingness to engage in Morris’s imaginative games. Whether it was retrieving his leash to signal a desire for a squirrel hunt, nudging Morris towards the swimming hole, or even anticipating a friend’s arrival, Skip demonstrated an impressive level of understanding and responsiveness. His ability to locate his favorite tennis ball by opening an antique cabinet with his nose further illustrates his cleverness.
Morris recounts how Skip grew from a clumsy puppy into a “sleek, dexterous, affectionate creature.” He details the affectionate nicknames within the family—Big Boss for his father, Bossie for his mother, and Little Boss or Willie for himself—and how he, in turn, called Skip by various names depending on his mood. Skip’s intelligence extended to games of hide-and-seek with Morris’s father, where Skip would meticulously search the house until he found him.
Growing Up in Yazoo
The memoir paints a vivid picture of Yazoo, Mississippi, during a bygone era. Morris describes it as an unhurried, isolated town where life revolved around cotton. The unpaved streets, stately old houses, and the absence of modern distractions like television fostered a strong sense of community. Neighbors would gather on their front porches, exchanging greetings and enjoying serene summer nights. Skip was an enthusiastic participant in town life, always eager to follow the fire truck or join in any activity. The town’s rhythms, from the rustling leaves of magnolia trees to the distant horn of a riverboat, formed the backdrop to Morris and Skip’s adventures.
The author emphasizes the deep familiarity he had with his hometown, likening it to an extension of his own being. He contrasts the town’s past simplicity with the changes brought by supermarkets, shopping centers, and highways, lamenting the loss of innocence. The town’s alleys, described as “vagrant pathways,” offered a sense of freedom for Skip and Morris, places where they could explore and escape. The unique atmosphere of such towns can be explored further.
Football, Squirrels, and Driving Lessons
A significant portion of the excerpt is dedicated to the imaginative games Morris and Skip played. Morris taught Skip to play football, customizing a ball by cutting the laces and instructing Skip on how to carry and protect it. Skip learned to follow Morris’s signals, playing tailback and demonstrating an uncanny ability to evade tacklers and score touchdowns. Their elaborate “Statue of Liberty” play, involving Skip carrying the ball in his mouth after a complex maneuver, drew astonished crowds. These spectacles, along with Skip’s zealous pursuit of squirrels up oak trees, often brought traffic to a halt as onlookers gathered to witness the remarkable dog.
Perhaps the most astonishing of their shared activities was teaching Skip to “drive” a car. At thirteen, Morris began driving his parents’ DeSoto, always with Skip as his co-pilot. Skip would position himself behind the steering wheel, his paws resting on it, while Morris crouched below, controlling the pedals. Their slow cruises through town, often eliciting shouts of disbelief from astonished bystanders, highlight the playful and adventurous spirit of their childhood. Their countryside drives, where Skip appeared to be driving, captivated the attention of locals, leading to humorous incidents like an old man falling off a store porch in disbelief.
The excerpt concludes with a particularly memorable experience where Skip, seemingly at the wheel, drove past a church congregation after a revival meeting. The ensuing stunned silence from the onlookers underscored the surreal and almost preordained nature of the spectacle. This profound connection between Morris and Skip, filled with laughter, adventure, and unconditional love, forms the heart of this touching memoir. These shared experiences undoubtedly contribute to some of the best dog stories of all time.
The excerpt from “My Dog Skip” serves as a powerful testament to the unique and enduring bond between humans and animals, capturing the magic of a childhood enriched by the unwavering loyalty and spirited companionship of a truly exceptional dog.
Copyright © 1995 by Willie Morris. Excerpted by permission of Vintage Books, a division of Random House LLC.