The American Farm Bureau Federation has a contest each year for the Farm Dog of the Year. The winner receives canine-themed prizes, a year’s supply of dog food, a $5,000 cash prize and bragging rights. We all think our dog is the best, but some have the trophy to back that claim.

I was introduced to a few recent winners on a video. There was Skippy, a border collie that helped run the cattle operation along with his owner, who had suffered a spinal injury. Skippy came from the organization Farm Dogs for Disabled Farmers. What a beautiful idea! Then there was Cody, a single man’s companion. As his owner became overwhelmed with emotion, it was evident Cody was the most loyal friend in his life. Last was Woody, an Australian shepherd that successfully kept a cow that had just calved from trampling his elderly owner.

Our best friend

We have always been a Labrador retriever family. Our last and most faithful dog was Jack. He’s been gone for several years, but there’s still a little hole in my heart in the shape of his ginormous paw. He was the best. He smelled to high heaven. And he snored like an old man. But he was gentle with kids, and he loved his cats.

Jack would gladly rip your arm off if you threatened me. When it came time to put him down, it tore me up, and it’s exactly why I haven’t gotten another pup.

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I appreciate working dogs, or dogs with grit. They might be missing an eye, or part of an ear or a toe — evidence of battles fought for ground and family. I like dogs like Skippy, Woody, Cody and Jack. They are dogs that stand guard, sleep at your feet and don’t tell a soul all the secrets and woes you’ve whispered in their ear.

Dogs that were born to be farm dogs, even if they don’t have the trophy to prove it, we all know are the most prized and appreciated dogs.