By Ashley McKinney

Many people know dogs as man's best friend. Ryan Kirkendall considers them as more than a best friend -- they’re his family. Kirkendall’s relationship grows each and every day with his two dogs. Kirkendall loves hanging out with his dogs and taking care of them. Each of his dogs has a special place in his heart.

“Words can’t describe the relationship we have. It’s a bond really. They're part of my family just like anyone else in your family you don’t want to put up with them sometimes but you do cause they’re family and you love them,” said Kirkendall.

Kirkendall has an important bond with his dogs. His dogs are a huge part of his life and make him smile every time he sees them. When he was asked what his dogs personalities were like he told us.

“Baxter is very lazy and layer back assumes he sleeps 18-20 hours a day Pippi has more personality but diabetes a torn ACL and after getting hit by a car she really isn’t the same. But both dogs love to be petted if you show them love they will love you.”

Kirkendall loves both his dogs the same even though their personalities are drastically different. Kirkendall serves as a caretaker to Pippi after her many struggles. This has brought them very close and has created a great bond them. Baxter loves being with Ryan and loves just spending time with him. Kirkendall talked a lot about Pippi’s illnesses and how their relationship had changed.

When I asked him about it he said, “I feel like it’s been more personal when I first met her she was more friendly to me and now I have to give her love as her caretaker, it has brought us a lot closer”.

It now takes a lot more time to take care of Pippi but Kirkendall enjoys the time spent with her. Their bond is really something special.

“I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without them I mean we all have times in our life where we just have bad days but Pippi and Baxter don’t know that they’re always there for me on my best and my worst days” said Kirkendall.

Kirkendall’s dogs provide a support system for him. They stick by his side and keep him company on a daily basis. His time he spends with his dogs is one of the best parts of his day.

Kirkendall said his dogs have changed his personality by saying, “I feel like I’m more of a warm and happy and friendly because of my dogs”.

Dogs have a special bond with people. They seem to be able to make people happier and in Kirkendall’s case they have made him a more approachable and caring person.

Kirkendall said with a smirk,“Because I know that both Pippi and Baxter are going to read this I’m going to say I love them both equally and the only place you’ll find the answer to that question is deep in my heart” when I asked him who his favorite dog was.

Kirkendall has a different and good relationship with each of his dogs. And which one is his favorite will be an unsolved mystery.