Throughout time, the domesticated dog has been considered to be man's best friend. From Lassie, and Benji to Old Yeller, dogs are constantly being portrayed as helpful sidekicks or stars to humans. Popular books like "Where the Red Fern Grows," "Shiloh," and "Old Yeller" have all been heart-warming stories about dogs and their owners. From waiting for you at the front door after school to bringing you the newspaper every morning, the positive energy and love that dogs have given to man seems endless. Aiding in disabilities, it is unquestionable that dogs have given some people the ability to be more independent. Guide dogs for the blind must be obedient and loyal enough to follow their master's commands, yet they also must be able to recognize the possible dangers of following that order. For example, an owner may wish to cross a busy intersection. The guide dog needs to be able to recognize oncoming traffic and disobey its master's order. To do these extraordinary things, guide dogs are bred, raised and trained by professionals for years before ever meeting their blind masters. While some canine companions are helping the visually impaired, others are helping bring criminals to justice. It is not uncommon to come across a police officer with a canine as a patrol partner in airports, parks and high-risk places. Likewise, there are tracking dogs for missing people and suspects, and substance detector dogs. Substance detector dogs are able to sniff out well-concealed drugs, explosives, accelerants and other things that human detectives and police officers would easily overlook. While dogs are capable of amazing feats, most dog owners best remember and love their dogs for the small everyday joys they can bring into a person's life.
In order to carry out the title as man's best friend, there must be the shaping and conditioning of the animal's life, done by man himself. Without the presence of man, the animal would be helpless and would have to resort to its native instincts.
