A Dog's Life

“The Merrions did not own any pets. ‘Because of germs,’ Mother once told Bone and me. She had overheard Mrs. Merrion talking to a gardener. ‘And hair,’ Mrs. Merrion had added. ‘Germs and hair.’

When Mother said this I thought of the in-the-Merrions’-house neighborhood of animals. This consisted not only of many insects, but also of a large family of mice, two squirrels (in the attic walls), a possum who went in and out of the utility room through a hidden hole in the wall, and—in the basement—several snakes, two toads, and some lizards. There were plenty of germs and lots of hair in the Merrions’ house, and this amused me.”

Irony and humor are apparent in this passage because the Merrions don’t like animal germs, but countless animals live on their property. Their cluelessness generates humor. Imagery helps vividly depict the setting of the Merrions’ property through specific descriptions of each of the animals and their homes.

“She chose, as mother dogs do, names of things that are important to her. So I was known as Squirrel, and my brother was known as Bone.”

Depicting the animal mind, Mother decides on funny, unique names for her babies. The book frequently delves into the animal mindset, using language that dogs would know and relate to. These names reflect the presence of squirrels in the environment and Mothers’ foraging for bones.

“Early the next morning, Mother left the shed and trotted off in the direction of the garbage heap.

She never came back.”

This chapter ends in a cliffhanger, which generates conflict and suspense, leaving readers to wonder why Mother never returned, a mystery that continues for the entire novel. Squirrel’s voice also remains direct and honest, not embellished even when she describes a conflict.