A Dog's Purpose

In having his protagonist be a dog, Bruce W. Cameron uses an unreliable narrator to tell his story. How can the reader tell Bailey is an unreliable narrator? How does Bailey express certain aspects of the story he doesn’t understand in a way that readers can understand? Does this make the novel easier or harder to read? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Is Senora doing a good thing by rescuing dogs like Toby and putting them in her yard, or is she doing more harm than good? What is the significance of the final scene of Toby’s life?

Why is Bailey so trusting of humans even though his first mother taught him not to trust humans? How is this trust tested in the early part of Bailey’s second life? What is the significance of Bailey’s rescue by Ethan’s mother?

What is the significance of Bailey attempting to save Ethan from “drowning” in the lake? What does it say about Bailey’s nature? How does this prepare him for his life as Ellie?

Todd is a disturbed young man who displays warning signs to Bailey on multiple occasions. Why is it that only Bailey sees these signs? What is the significance of a character like Todd to Bailey’s overall search for purpose?

Bailey’s second and third lives are similar in many ways but also vastly different. Compare and contrast the two lives. How does he take these lessons into his fourth life?

Bailey, as Ellie, recognizes a deep grief in Jakob during the time they are partners. How does Jakob’s grief compare to Bailey’s grief for Ethan? What does Jakob’s grief teach Bailey about relationships, both human and canine? Why is this an important lesson for Bailey?

Maya struggles with the requirements of becoming Ellie’s partner during Bailey’s third life. How does Cameron use Bailey to express Maya’s struggle despite Bailey’s failure to understand the situation? How does Jakob play a role in inspiring Maya and changing the course of her life?