The ending of Old Yeller is etched into the mind of every person who has ever read it. A dog’s devotion to his family ultimately results in his death, but it’s that very devotion that makes the story so meaningful. Old Yeller teaches us that some bonds are bigger than life itself. A pivotal moment in the book comes when the dog’s former owner comes to find his dog, but recognizes that the dog has become an essential part of that family. Agreeing to leave him behind is a great act of human kindness, and one that is mirrored in the actions of the dog himself.

~ Stephen Russ

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