A Dog's Life

By focusing on the life of a dog, the book illustrates that animals are resilient and adaptable, able to survive through the harshest circumstances. If they don’t adapt, they’ll die; these high stakes force Squirrel to adjust to each new setting and situation. After Mother disappears, the pups demonstrate this theme in every scene as they constantly adapt to their environment and endure various conflicts. First, they must accept the loss of their beloved mother: “It was our first night without Mother, and it seemed very long. In the morning when I awoke I saw Bone […] but no Mother, I knew that she was not going to come back” (27). In addition to overcoming grief, Squirrel acquiesces to Bone’s desire to leave the comfort of home and fend for themselves in the woods. Suppressing her sadness over Mother, quelling her worries about leaving home, and learning to fulfill her basic needs make Squirrel mature quickly. She and Bone remain determined as they adapt to life as wandering strays by hunting, drinking from streams, and sleeping in trees. The two puppies support each other and apply Mother’s teachings, never giving up hope that they’ll find food, water, and shelter, pushing through hunger pains as they travel. The text emphasizes that canines are smart and adaptable, embodying a survivalist mentality and consistent toughness.

When facing conflicts, Squirrel demonstrates resilience and a drive to move forward. She doesn’t dwell on hardships but instead adapts to them. For instance, the dogs’ time with George and Marcy provides considerable evidence of Squirrel’s toughness. Despite George and Marcy’s shouting and physical abuse, Squirrel and Bone act according to their nature. Since they’re feral dogs, they react to the humans’ confusing rules by doing things like peeing inside, eating garbage, and howling about the dark room. In this strange setting, they don’t conform to George and Marcy’s way of life because the couple treats them with insensitivity and impatience rather than compassion. They endure George and Marcy’s negative actions and words, holding steadfast to their canine instincts: “In our shed home, we were careful not to pee in our nest, […] so I stepped delicately off of the rug […], squatted, and peed on the floor by the door. ‘Hey!’ shouted George. ‘Bad dog!’” (43). They endure both verbal and physical abuse from George and Marcy but survive the experience, learning not to trust certain humans and becoming stronger. Even after George physically injures them by throwing them out of a moving car, Squirrel and her brother don’t give up:

Bone landed hard, his snout smashing against the pavement […] I landed a little distance away from him, on my shoulder, and I heard a small crack […] I staggered up on my hind legs first, then onto my uninjured front leg. But when I put weight on the other leg, it gave way and I sank down again. I looked at Bone. He was limping toward me, his nose bloody (51-52).

The puppies have injuries but push through their pain. No matter what, they stay tenacious. Countless places and characters provide environments for Squirrel to change, revealing her flexibility and strength. After she’s separated from Bone, Squirrel not only must deal with the sorrow of his absence but also must find sustenance alone in the mall parking lot full of new foods: “I came to a bit of hamburger bun and snapped it up. I came to a paper cup lying on its side and lapped up the white liquid […]. I came to some crunchy yellow bits and tasted them” (56). After moving on from the mall, Squirrel survives an entire year in the woods alone. Her ability to live independently surprises her, but her self-reliance throughout the text shows her manifesting this ability through her decisions and actions. She lives through the painful dog fight, the surgeries at the vet, the grief of watching Moon die in front of her, the neglect of the Beckers, the harsh winters, and every other challenge that comes her way.

Throughout her miles of wandering, Squirrel adapts to each situation depending on the circumstances, including the weather and her physical condition. Although independent, Squirrel is open to receiving help: Despite her caution and distrust of others, the dog takes advantage of humans’ goodwill, such as when the kind ladies leave out hamburger meat, and of safe places like Claremont and farms. As an older and wiser dog, Squirrel appreciates people like Dr. Roth and Susan for showing her kindness when she’s weak. Without Dr. Roth, Squirrel may not have fully recovered from her injuries: She knows that the vet’s treatments are essential to her health. If not for Susan, Squirrel could have starved to death or died of the winter cold: She knows that the care Susan provides is necessary to keep her warm and fulfills her nearly forgotten need for companionship.

In the book’s final section, Squirrel even adjusts to becoming housebroken and following human expectations like walking on a leash. She adapts to life as a pet because she realizes that Susan gives her the comfort, care, and friendship she desires. The pros of Susan’s love and care outweigh the cons of trying to survive in the bleak winter. Squirrel proves that animals have an instinctual, unbreakable ability to persist through hardship and adapt to many situations. The story shows that dogs want to live their best, healthiest lives and will do whatever is necessary to survive and thrive.