They Cage the Animals at Night

After Jennings is nine years old, his brothers begin to question why he still carries around a stuffed animal, Doggie, because they do not understand how integral Doggie is to him as a symbol of comfort and security. Doggie’s constant presence is the only source of stability that Jennings has throughout his years passing in and out of the foster care system. When Jennings’ tragic circumstances coldly refuse him any stable care or positive environment, he is forced to make one for himself with Doggie.

Jennings’ constant care for Doggie demonstrates that he can care for something in a way that no one has ever cared for him. He breaks the cycle of abandonment and instability that he has been forced to live with throughout his childhood. This is how he survives the hardships of the homes and eventually raises a family of his own as an adult. It is striking that, despite moving from home to home, running away, getting lost, and getting caught by the police twice, he never loses or abandons Doggie.

Jennings makes deliberate note of the bars or wire mesh in the windows at the homes in which he stays. When he arrives at the Brooklyn Shelter, he stares at the barbed wire fence enclosing the children inside.