Film je posnet po resnični zgodbi. Poleti 1942 spoznamo osamljenega devetletnega fantiča Willieja Morrisa, ki ni dober športnik, nima prijateljev in nikakor ne najde pravega stika z očetom Jackom, vojnim veteranom. Williejeva mama Ellen poskuša na vse načine osrečiti svojega otroka, zato se odloči, da fant potrebuje psa. Ko mu podari prikupnega kosmatinca Skipa, se Willieju za vedno spremeni življenje, saj Skip postane njegov najboljši prijatelj.
A shy boy is unable to make friends in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1942, until his parents give him a terrier puppy for his ninth birthday. The dog, which he names Skip, becomes well known and loved throughout the community and enriches the life of the boy, Willie, as he grows into manhood. Based on the best-selling Mississippi memoir by the late Willie Morris.