excepting Travis knows Mama was there for him caring and loving him. Mama's loving care was a big help but the real hero of the family was the loyal dog Old Yeller. Travis and Mama differently earned their keep abut for Old Yeller he earned it through loyalty. Old Yeller comes to the farm and Travis does not think to great of him but soon learns how loyal and protective he is when he saves Little Arliss from an angry mother bear. An angry mother bear is racing towards Little Arliss but Old Yeller comes through and fought her off to save Little Arliss's life. The second reason why Old Yeller is loyal is when he gathers up the hogs to be marked. Old Yeller uses his herding ability to round up thirty hogs to be marked for Travis. Finally Old Yeller showed his loyalty when he fights of a big loafer wolf sick with the deadly disease hydrophobia. Mama and the helpful Lizbeth our away burn a cow with hydrophobia when a loafer wolf comes up ready to attack. Old Yeller did not let that happened and fights the wolf saving Mama and Lizbeth. Sadly Old Yeller is shot dead when he to gets the disease. "He had saved all our lives and then been shot down like he was nothing" is what Travis said he felt after Old Yeller's death. Old Yeller was important to the survival of the family and he showed his responsibility through loyalty.Travis, Mama, and Old Yeller all showed responsibility in many ways that helped the family to survive the harsh wilderness. People today still need to work together and sometimes do things they do not want to do. As Papa said " life is mighty good and a man can not afford to waste all the good part worrying about the bad parts"....
