Essay Questions

How does the relationship between man and animals emerge as one of the main themes in Dog Gone by Pauls Toutonghi?

The relationship between man and animals started centuries ago, and one of man's best friends in existence is the dog. In Dog Gone, the golden retriever called Gonker is Marshall's best friend. Gonker is suffering from Addison's illness that requires him to get his monthly hormone short to survive. Unfortunately, Gonker is lost in the woods, and Marshall is frustrated that the dog might die if he does not get his hormone short as required. Marshall is distraught, disheartened, and unhappy because his companion is missing. The family spends days looking for the dog, and the experience is saddening. Therefore, the relationship between Marshall and his golden retriever dog is so strong that he is extremely sad due to his disappearance.

What is the significance of the story Dog Gone in the context of family setup?

The Dog Gone story is a moving piece of literature emphasizing the significance of the family coming together during a crisis. Marshall's family shows solidarity and love for Gonker. Virginia operates as a field general during the search for Gonker because she contacts several agencies to aid in locating the dog. For instance, she informs radio stations, park rangers, and churches of the missing do, and all join hands in looking for Gonker. On the other hand, Fielding, his father, and his sister Peyton are also doing whatever they can to find the missing dog. Therefore, the significance of this story is that a family should be united, especially during a crisis.

What is the symbolic meaning of Gonker?

Gonker is the golden retriever dog that symbolizes unity and love. The loss of Gonker causes discomfort in Fielding's family, and everyone cannot sleep because the dog is missing. The family's concern for the welfare of the missing dos shows love and unity. The family is united and does everything within its power to find the missing that needs a hormonal shot monthly to survive. The family is aggrieved and frustrated because the safety of Gonker is compromised. Therefore, Gonker symbolizes family love and unity in Fielding's family.