The Oakland Dog by Ambrose Bierce
The Oakland Dog is a short story about a man who adopts a stray dog he finds in the street. The dog becomes a loyal companion to the man, but when the man's wife dies, the dog's behavior changes and it becomes aggressive towards him. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and the complex bond between humans and animals.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Poetry · 730 words
First lines
I lay one happy night in bed And dreamed that all the dogs were dead.
They'd all been taken out and shot -- Their bodies strewed each vacant lot.
What this Textopian page supports
The Oakland Dog is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Poetry, Fantasy, Social Commentary
- Length: 730 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Oakland Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Oakland Dog?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- One And One Are Two by Ambrose Bierce
- The Milkmaid And Her Bucket by Ambrose Bierce
- The Fogy And The Sheik by Ambrose Bierce
- A Fish Commissioner by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — The poem critiques societal norms and behaviors, particularly regarding the relationship between humans and dogs.
- Humor — The absurdity of a world without dogs and the exaggerated consequences create a humorous tone.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Fantasy — The dreamlike scenario of a world devoid of dogs presents a fantastical element.
Tags
humor · short story · fiction · dog · Oakland · California · adventure · mystery · satire · irony · literary · classic