1940s Mississippi and shy boy Willie Morris embarks on a journey with his new best friend, the family pet Skip. But Skip is no ordinary dog. Sensing Willie's shyness he takes him on an adventure which will change his life forever, helping Willie face up to the local bullies and turning them into his friends, as well as rekindling his friendship with Dink the soldier and getting him a date with the school sweetheart - even though they are both only eight-years-old.