Where the Red Fern Grows discussion

Where the Red Fern Grows by William Rawls talks about a young boy who had puppy love disease and he wanted more than one dog. The boy was picky about the kind of dog he wanted. His father told Billy the kind of dog he wanted and more than one that he couldn’t afford it. Billy ended up going to bed being all tore up and cried himself to sleep. Billy got weak and his mother worried about him, and his father told her that he just needs to get some fresh air and exercise. Billy was excited to help his dad on the farm. Billy built traps so he can trap animals so he could make money to buy two hounds. Billy had been saving money and Billy working hard for about 2 years so he could get the two hounds that he wanted. Billy had to figure out how he was going to get the hounds. Once he got the hounds, he was so happy to have them. When he and his hounds got home Billy’s mother fixed the pups some warm milk. Billy needed a coonskin afterwards so he could train his puppies. Billy’s dogs were ready to go hunting with him. In order for Billy to be a hunter, he needed to eat as well as get the proper rest. Billy loved hearing his hound's voices. These hounds were Billy’s whole life, and he was proud to have them. The boy dog passed away first and the girl dog couldn’t stand to be without him and laid by his grave and then she passed away beside him. Billy went to his grave and paid his respects. The dogs watched Billy’s every move. After the boy dog passed the girl dog had no will to live. Their graves were side by side. Billy did everything that he could possibly do for his dogs. After they moved from the Ozarks all Billy had from there were dreams and memories and never went back. Then they saw Where the Red Fern Grows and it was sacred.

One of my favorite parts of this book was seeing how much Billy loved his dogs. When I had a dog, I took it everywhere with me like Billy did. When you are a dog owner, you are there from the day you get them until the day they die. Having pets in your life is such a blessing. They have always said that dogs are a man’s best friend and I firmly believe that. It’s always heartbreaking when they leave us. Pets are family too.