Stella

“I ripped the pad, which wasn’t good, but I was mostly quiet and let my human sleep. I’m a good dog. Connie said so and I could trust Connie.”

Stella gets her sense of self-worth from humans. She trusts Connie, so she trusts Connie when she tells her she is good. Her sense of self-worth will be tested, however—first when she learns that Connie is dead and then when she runs from Cloe after the fireworks explode. One of Stella’s main psychological tasks in the novel is to learn that she can make mistakes and still be the good dog Connie told her she is.

“Between the man’s ear massage and her patting, I felt almost like a pup again, like when I was wedged in the nest with my mother. She would take turns licking my face and then my sisters’ and brothers’ faces. I loved it when we slept, and I got the spot near her chest and could feel her heart thumping against my fur.”

These words illustrate the main way that Stella experiences love. She likes physical affection and to be close to people and animals. Here she likes to be close and to be petted, and she remembers liking being near her canine family. This becomes important because by the end of the novel, she gets to sleep in Stella’s bed, which makes her very happy because of her love of physical affection.

“I understand the good girl part, but I don’t believe it. If I were a good girl, Connie would be here to take me home. If I were a good girl, I would have directed Connie to the bad chemicals faster. I wouldn’t have been confused by the air blowing in through the open doors.”

Here Stella starts to doubt her worth. She understands now the full implications of her failure at the airport. She is starting to define herself by one mistake, which is something she will have to overcome if she is to heal from her PTSD.

“We’ve tried that. Three times. It’s not fair to keep bouncing her from one place to another. At some point, we have to admit enough is enough.”

These words, spoken by Jake when he learns that Esperanza wants to try to help Stella, reflect his belief in the humane treatment of animals. Jake is advocating for euthanasia because he believes Stella is suffering too much and cannot be rehabilitated. In the novel, euthanasia is presented as a compassionate response to the suffering of animals. Jake has great empathy for Stella’s suffering.

“Her favorite group of words was you must do the thing you think you cannot do. She would repeat those words—you must do the thing you think you cannot do—over and over, like they were really important.”

These words illustrate a key principle that Connie lived by. Stella has heard these words a lot, but they do not become really significant to her until she realizes that she must do what she thinks she cannot do—go into the explosions—to save Cloe. Connie reminds her of these words from the afterlife, and they help motivate Stella to save Cloe.

“This girl, who I’ve barely met, seems to understand what I need more than the last three adults who have cared for me.”

Stella and Cloe share a strong bond from the very beginning. The adults Stella has been with, including Esperanza, want what is best for her and have a deep understanding of dogs. The difference with Cloe, however, is that she sees Stella as an individual. She looks beyond what a dog should need to see what Stella actually needs. This understanding and attention helps form the basis for the deep friendship they develop.

“The treat is so distractingly delicious that I don’t see or hear Esperanza until she calls out to us.”

This passage alludes to one of Stella’s faults. She becomes distracted at times, so overcome by one sense that she forgets all the others and does not register her surroundings. In this case, Stella’s distraction doesn’t have serious consequences, but it has in the past, namely in the airport explosion.

“It’s hard to understand why humans speak so many words. I wish I could tell them how much faster and easier they could gather information with their noses.”

A key theme throughout the novel is the difficulty humans and animals, specifically dogs, have understanding each other. This is because both species communicate in ways that play to their strengths. Humans understand language, and dogs understand smell. Unfortunately, this failure to effectively communicate between species has serious implications when the humans do not understand Stella’s warnings about danger.

“Hounds will break your heart every time. They’re more loyal to their noses than their handlers. You may think you’ve trained her, that you can trust her off leash, but give her one scent of a squirrel, and she’ll forget she ever knew you.”

These words, spoken by Vern to Esperanza, serve two main purposes. First, they reveal the negative attitude Vern has toward animals. It is suggested that he has passed this negative attitude on to his nephews, who have the same disregard for animals and almost kill Cloe in a forest fire because of it. Second, the words create some tension as Vern introduces the possibility that Stella could run at some point, breaking Cloe’s heart. Vern claims Stella will be more loyal to her nose than to Cloe, but the question ultimately becomes whether Stella will be able to overcome her fear in order to help Cloe.

“But I don’t feel very good. I knew the bad smell was growing and that something bad was going to happen, and I didn’t protect Cloe or do anything to help. All I did was watch. I did sit quietly without causing trouble, but any dog could have done that. All of a sudden, I realize I don’t just want to be good anymore. I want to be brave again too—like I used to be with Connie.”

This is an important realization for Stella. She is frustrated that she could not do more, but this is not her fault. She tried to warn Esperanza, but Esperanza did not understand her. Her love for Cloe, as demonstrated in these words, is what helps her decide to try to overcome her fears.

“And when a dog finds her human, there’s not much anyone can do or say to stop it.”

There are three key dog–human relationships in the novel. The first is between Connie and Stella. They both loved each other deeply while Connie was alive and even after death. The second is between Cloe and Stella. Esperanza tries to temper this relationship so Cloe does not get hurt, but she is unable to do so because the Cloe and Stella have an instant connection. The third key human–animal relationship in the novel is between Esperanza and Nando. Nando is loyal to Esperanza, and Esperanza treats him well because he is her main dog.

“My ears perk up at her tone. Tilting my head, I stare into her eyes. We’ve played so many games for so many days that I’m learning to do more than just trust her. I’m learning to read her mind by studying her facial expressions, the sound of her breathing, even the frequency of her blinking. Soon, I’ll know her as well as I knew Connie.”

In the novel, The Bond Between Humans and Animals is shown to be developed through time, play, and affection. Cloe provides all of these for Stella. Stella’s desire to know Cloe well shows that while she still loves Connie, she has been able to move on and develop a key relationship with another person. This is important for both her growth and for her healing.

“At the canine facility with Connie, I worked on a similar piece of equipment, so it really isn’t that great of an accomplishment. But I love how Cloe claps her hands, like she thinks I’m the smartest, bravest dog in the world.”

These words demonstrate two important points. First, they show how Cloe has been able to build Stella’s confidence up by helping her perform tasks that she is actually able to perform. She does not immediately try to get her to face her deepest fears. Second, these words show just how important Cloe’s esteem is for Stella.

“‘Come on, girl, why are you always doing that? Are you trying to tell me something?’ Finally, finally, someone seems to be paying attention to my most important signal.”

Finally Cloe is noticing what Stella does when Stella tries to warn her. Cloe still does not understand what they mean, however, so the two are not able to avoid Vern’s nephews and the danger they pose.

“My eyes dart around the clearing, looking for an escape. My head says to stay with my girl, but a deeper, wilder part of me panics, warning me to run.”

This is the beginning of the climax of the novel. Stella is forced to decide between her instincts and her desire to stay with her human. Her head is not able to make all of her choices for her. In traumatic situations, a “wilder” side kicks in and takes over, dictating some of her behaviors.

“Cocking my head in her direction, I whimper. I love her so much. It should be simple—stay with my girl. Good dogs are loyal. They stand with their handlers in spite of danger, even in spite of death.”

These words illustrate how Stella allows herself to be overcome with shame and guilt. She feels this tug inside of her both to run and to stay, and to her, her worth is determined by which action she chooses. She does not understand that in some traumatic situations, she can’t even make a conscious choice.

“You made a mistake, Stella. We all make mistakes. That doesn’t make us bad dogs. You can do this. You can do anything. Do the thing you think you cannot do, girl. Do it for me.”

It is through these words, spoken by Connie, that Stella is able to truly start healing. She realizes that Connie doesn’t blame her, and she also has always trusted Connie. Therefore, when Connie tells her that she can save Cloe, she believes her. Stella’s love for Connie combined with her love for Cloe (and their love for her) are what ultimately allow her to find the strength to face her fears and heal her own wounds in the process.

“Nando glides along behind me, head and tail below his shoulders, focused. But he doesn’t try to herd me back to the barn. For once, he lets me do my thing without trying to protect or control me. It’s almost as if he senses my newfound determination. As we pass the pasture, Gus takes a few steps away from his sheep to follow our progress along the fence. His tail swishes back and forth in a slow wag, as if he’s rooting for me as well.”

The animals understand each other here in a way that the people do not. Esperanza still does not know how much Stella can help her, so she locks Stella up. The dogs know that Stella can save Cloe, and Nando helps Stella do so while Gus cheers them on.

“We all make mistakes. That’s what Connie said. I made one mistake—one time—long ago that day in the airport. But that mistake doesn’t define me. It doesn’t erase all the good work I’ve done. And it won’t stop me from doing the most important work of my life taking place right here, right now, in this forest.”

Stella has found healing. She has determined that she will not let her past define her, and she goes on to do what only she can—save Cloe. She is no longer held back by the fear and guilt that have plagued her for much of the novel.

“Despite the smoke, despite the flames, despite the fear gripping my chest, I pause to evaluate the situation. I need to let my nose do what it does best. So I lower my head to the ground, block out the sound of the advancing fire, and complete a few zigs and zags across the ground on this side of the creek.”

Shortly before this scene, Stella was not able to overcome her instincts, and she ran away from danger despite wanting to stay with Cloe. Here, she shows just how much she has grown in a short period of time. She is not only able to block out her fear, but she is also able to trust herself and her sense of smell to find Cloe. She acts purposefully rather than instinctually. She still feels afraid, but fear isn’t guiding her actions anymore.

“I whine but remain firmly planted on my behind, just the way Connie trained me to do for find-it-and-alert. Nando nuzzles Esperanza’s arm.”

The different reactions Stella and Nando have in this scene demonstrate the different training they have received for their respective jobs. Nando helps herd sheep, but he does not know how to alert someone to danger, so he can’t do anything except seek comfort. Stella on the other hand knows that she has to stay at attention, because she was trained to do so in dangerous situations. She follows her training, finding a way to continue doing what she does best under different circumstances.

“I may not always be a perfect dog. But I’m her dog, and I want her to be my girl.”

Stella knows exactly what she wants. She has released herself from impossible standards and has learned that she can be Cloe’s dog even if she sometimes makes mistakes.

“It’s Connie, smiling at me from a cloud of light high above my head. I blink, and she disappears.”

Connie’s love for Stella is so strong that it lives on even after Connie dies. Here Connie shows that she knows Stella will be okay, and she is finally able to leave her. Stella can continue on with the rest of her life knowing that the love between her and Connie will never die.