Book Review of Stray

The article, “Stray”, written by Cynthia Rylant, talks about a girl named Doris discovering a stray dog while shoveling snow. The dog, abandoned by its owner, was wandering the street. Doris decided to bring it home and cared for it, especially in such a bad weather condition. Her parents agreed to let the dog temporarily stay in the basement until the snow cleared. The dog behaved exceptionally well, not howling at night or following Doris around. Doris grew attached toward the dog and hoped to keep it permanently. After nine days as the weather improved, Doris’ father took the dog to the pound, explaining that they could not afford to keep it. Heartbroken, Doris cried in her room for a long time. However, when Doris’ father returned, he surprised Doris by bringing the dog back. He witnessed the poor conditions at the pound and did not want the dog to suffer there. To have a deeper understanding of this article, readers can look into three main themes: Poverty, Choice, and Kindness. 

Being in poverty can stop people from pursuing their dreams and limit them from making choices for their true desires. Poor people with limited resources view immediate needs like food and shelter as their first priority, leaving little room for getting something that is beyond their basic survival. This stray behaved exceptionally well in the basement, always following directions and not howling or barking. Doris and her parents had a good feeling toward this dog. Still, her parents did not say YES because they were poor and could not financially afford to keep it. This family definitely loves this stray dog since the dog behaves so well. They want to take care of the dog. However, they don't have enough money to afford the expense of raising a dog. So when the situation lies between reality and desire, they have to make the decision in favor of reality, which is not having a dog because they are poor, just like written in the article “Mrs. Lacey was sensitive about throwing out food." Mr. Lacey did not plan to keep the dog because of the limited food/ money. Living in poverty deeply impacts people and influences their daily lives as well as limits their thoughts, actions, and choices.   

While poverty may limit the range of making choices, it does not entirely eliminate people’s ability to choose. Poor people choose to prioritize certain values or beliefs, making choices based on what is right or important, despite financial constraints. Mr. Lacey brought the dog to the pound, unable to afford its care. However, upon witnessing the pound’s dreadful conditions, he decided to take the dog back despite clearly knowing their limited budget and food.  Even if people don't have a lot of money, they can still choose to be how they want to be as long as they can balance their life financially. Being poor doesn't stop us from making good choices and finding joy. Doris and her family are in poverty but they can still choose to do what they think is right to do. Mr. Lacey commented that “Worst looking place I’ve ever seen. Ten dogs to a cage. Smell was enough to knock you down. And they give an animal six days to live. Then they kill it with some kind of a shot.” Mr. Lacey could have left the stray dog in such miserable living conditions and let it suffer, but he could not stand it and bring it back home even though he clearly understands the whole family has limited food and money. In other words, poor people can still make choices out of their financial difficulty. Even with financial limitations, poor people still have the ability to make significant choices that might be beyond their basic survival. 

People from poverty could still be kind, taking kind actions or making kind choices as kindness does not require money. Kindness does not need extensive resources; instead, kindness needs a willingness to open one’s heart to those who are in need. At the beginning, Doris' parents shook their heads saying NO to keep the dog because of financial situation. In the end, they decided to keep the dog, showing their kindness, after seeing the miserable living conditions of the pound. The main reason why Mr. Lacey changed his mind to keep the stray dog rather than placing it in the pound is because he cannot stand the smell and dirty of the environment for the dog and he cannot accept the rule of putting the dog dead after six days if it was not adopted by anyone. The inhuman treatment in the pound, at some points, brings out Mr. Lacey’s kindness, wanting to protect the dog. Mr. Lacey shows empathy and concerns out of his kindness for the well-being of the stray, putting the dog’s immediate needs above their own limited resources. Kindness is rooted in empathy and consideration and it can change a lot of things.  

The inspiring story, “Stray" written by Cynthia Rylant highlights three main themes of poverty, Choices, and Kindness. Without question, poverty limits the choices available to people as they only have limited resources, therefore most of the time poor people tend to focus on making choices related to basic needs. While poverty can constrain options for people, it does not take away poor people’s ability to make choices of what is important or what is right. This demonstrates that although people do not have a lot of money, people can still be kind, showing kindness to people or animals as kindness does not require money. This book offers a touching and heartwarming story, imparting valuable life lessons.