The dog is a man’s best friend
Any person attached to a pet will be devastated the day it gets lost or dies. Since the past centuries, dogs have worked closely with men and formed great friendships. In the novel Dog Gone by Pauls Tougonghi, Fielding Marshall is looking for his lost dog, Gonker. Fielding is sad because his best friend is missing. Making matters worse, Gonker suffers from Addison’s illness, implying that he must get monthly injections to survive. Therefore, Fielding must find Gonker to save his life. The attachment and affection Fielding has for Gonker is a vivid illustration that a dog is a man's best friend. Whenever Gonker is around, Fielding is happy, and everyone in the family knows that. However, since Gonker got lost, he does not eat because he thinks of his pet.
Family support
The author shows readers that a family is a very important unit when working as a team to achieve a specified goal. Every member of Fielding's family is helping him to locate Gonker. Marshall's mother, Virginia, has set up a command center in the village, and she calls every home to ask the whereabouts of Gonker. Fielding's father and the younger brother are looking for Gonker in different directions. Fielding's sister is also working alongside her mother to bring Gonker home. Due to the family's efforts, Gonker is rescued timely and brought home for his monthly injection, which saves his life. Therefore, the entire family plays a vital role in helping Fielding to bring his best friend home alive.
The theme of memory
When Virginia learns that her son's pet is missing, the memories of her past life resurface. Virginia remembers how she loved dogs when she was a young girl living with her alcoholic mother. Virginia recalls how she suffered under her mother's care because she was abusive and careless. However, she found solace in her pet, and when she looked at Fielding, she understood what he was going through, which is why she played the biggest role in locating Gonker to save him.
