# To a Stray Dog explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator encounters a stray dog, speculates on its name and etymology, and humorously rechristens it 'Goucher' while threatening to shoot it if it ever 'Gouches.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Artifice

The contrast between the natural dog and the artificial act of renaming it after a human.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator's playful self-deception about understanding the dog's name and etymology.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who addresses the stray dog and renames it.

### Towser

The stray dog, initially called Towser, then rechristened Goucher.

## Key lines

> Well, Towser (I’m thinking your name must be Towser), You’re a decentish puppy as puppy dogs go, For you never, I’m sure, could have dined upon trowser, And your tail’s unimpeachably curled just so.

The narrator addresses a stray dog, guessing its name is Towser, and compliments its good behavior and appearance.

_Opens the poem with a friendly, whimsical tone._

> So, Towser (or Toser), I mean to rename you In honor of some good and eminent man, In the light and the heat of whose quickening fame you May grow to an eminent dog if you can.

The narrator decides to rename the dog after a famous person, hoping the dog will become distinguished by association.

_Introduces the theme of renaming and aspiration._

> Come here, sir. Stand up. I rechristen you Goucher. But damn you! I’ll shoot you if ever you Gouch!

The narrator formally renames the dog Goucher but immediately threatens to shoot it if it performs the undefined action of 'Gouching.'

_Ends the poem with a humorous and absurd threat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-a-stray-dog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters