Analysis Of W. Bruce Cameron´s A Dog's Purpose

Every creature on earth is born with a purpose and everything happens for a reason. While A Dog’s Purpose was written by humorist W. Bruce Cameron, it brings up a deep philosophical question: “Why are we here?” This book told of a tale about a dog searching, pursuing, and fulfilling his purpose throughout the course of four lives. Everything Toby, Bailey, Ellie, and Buddy have ever experienced or learned gradually led to the completion of their final purpose.

The experiences Bailey had acquired throughout the course of his lives directly influenced his decisions. When Buddy was abandoned by Victor he immediately know where he is because:

A long long time ago I had stood on the banks of this very river, perhaps on this very spot, when Ethan and I had gone for our long walk after Flare, the dumb horse, abandoned us (Buddy, P. 276).

He backtracked his journey as Bailey and eventually found the dog park, where after some effort he reunited with Ethan. Another place where Buddy’s previous experiences helped him is when he instinctively escaped as soon

as “The policeman pulled out a long pole with a noose at the end” (Buddy, P. 287). If he did not learn what a “long pole with a noose at the end” is as Toby and what a policeman will do as Ellie, he would have being caught, and as a result would not be able to meet the lady that led him to Ethan. To summarize everything that have happened to Bailey is preparing him for the next moment that is yet to come.

Each skill Bailey learned was used during crucial moments that led up to the completion of his final purpose.

Born as a feral dog, Toby was taught the skills necessary to survive such as finding food. “Mother showed us how to tear into filmy bags behind houses, quickly scattering inedible papers and revealing chunks of meat, crusts of bread, and bits of cheese…” (Toby, P. 18). After Buddy’s abandonment, he regularly utilized this skill so he would not starve to death. “It was with a huge sense of guilt that I tore the bag open and pulled out a piece of meat… ” (Buddy, P. 281). Avoiding pedestrians and concealing himself is another skill Buddy used as he “…melted into shadows, hiding from cars, emerging when there was no one around… ” (Buddy, P. 286). There are many other skills and numerous lessons Bailey learned throughout the course of his lives, it has being noted that all of them led him closer to his final

goal.

Everything that have ever happened slowly prepares Bailey for his final goal; each and every lesson Bailey learned builds up to the completion of his ultimate purpose. There are times when life seems confusing; there are times when life seems clear; there are good times that Bailey enjoy; and there are times where Bailey suffer. Everything leads to the ultimate purpose, that is to reunited Ethan and Hannah and preventing the boy from living a lonely life. After Bailey completed his purpose he realized that “…at that moment mostly what I felt was peace, secure in the knowledge that by living my life the way I had, everything had come down to this moment. I have fulfilled my purpose.” Cameron has done a fantastic job writing A Dog’s Purpose, successfully conveying a philosophical message: Sometimes things may not seem to make sense, but things fall into place eventually. Until then laugh at the confusion and know that everything happens for a reason (".. Everything Happens for a Reason." Earthengirl. N.p., 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.).