How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
On those occasions when I missed…he would watch the duck fly away, turn to me and give me a look of such uncompromising pity and scorn that I would feel compelled to apologize and make excuses. (3.43)
Paulsen leaves little doubt that Ike is a way better hunter than he is. His admiration and respect for the dog shines through all his observations. Sounds like there were times when Ike's admiration wasn't entirely mutual.
Quote #5
"It's like having a nanny for them. When I'm gone visiting with them he stays with Warren and follows the tractor in the fields but anytime the girls are here he's with them. It's so nice. There are so many things to worry about on a farm." (5.33)
Rex the farm dog has a lot of jobs, including taking care of the children. That a mother would trust a dog with her little girls says a lot about how much she admires them.
Quote #6
Pigs are very smart—as smart as dogs and many people I have met—and no doubt deduced that if old food is good, fresh food must be better. (7.28)
Sometimes, when Paulson compares animals to humans, the animals seem to come out looking better. It's obvious that Paulsen is open to the idea that animals have a lot to offer. That makes it easy for him to see their intelligence and skill. It was his first dog, Snowball, that gave him that perspective. He never lost it.