The entire book is one for anyone who has/had a dog that they loved or grew up with.
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Books
- All of the death scenes are sad. Ironically, one of the saddest at the end of the book isn't even one of Bailey's—it's Ethan's. Buddy has finally managed to track down and have a life with his boy, but Ethan has some kind of stroke one night and his mind goes. Then he starts calling Buddy Bailey, and Buddy's happy when Ethan has somehow managed to recognize him. As time goes on, though, Buddy, in a desperate attempt to make Ethan better, digs out the flip and gives it to Ethan, despite that the dog never truly liked it. In the end, Ethan passes as Buddy rests his head in his lap. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
- Bailey's descriptions of Jakob's depression. Especially if the reader has experienced depression, the description is spot-on.
- Bailey, like presumably all dogs, is an empath, and it's heartbreaking to see him feel others' pain.
- Ethan's life after Bailey's death. He's been living a lonely life managing his grandparents' old farm and is no longer in touch with Hannah. Even after Buddy discovers him, Ethan sends him to the animal shelter before realizing that he wanted that dog in the first place.
- Toby's death. Due to the shelter being overcrowded, they're only able to keep dogs who are sure to get adopted. Toby's leg disability means he will probably be overlooked and so he is euthanized. What makes it even more sad is the fact that Toby didn't know what was happening or why it was happening.
- The fates of Toby's siblings. Hungry was a sickly runt who died as a puppy, while Sister became a Broken Bird after living on the streets.
Films
- In the movie, "Buddy" is purchased by a neglectful owner (unwillingly neglectful, as it's implied that her potentially abusive boyfriend won't let her care for the dog). We get a Sad-Times Montage of the poor dog sitting outside in the cold and snow, clearly sad and lonely. His bewilderment regarding why they never play or run is heartbreaking, as his confusion as to why an animal control officer who had come to the house isn't taking him with her. Then, after lying to the girl that he's selling him to a new owner, the jerk drives out to the middle of nowhere and abandons him. It's quite wrenching in the first place, even moreso knowing that this frequently happens in real life.
- Just before the jerk dumps Buddy in the middle of nowhere, the girl tearfully asks him to make sure he takes him someplace safe, with someone who will take good care of him. She may not have been in any position to care for a dog, but it's obvious she really, really loved him. And with him around, she probably really needed a friend.
- Adding to the montage above, the boyfriend mocks Buddy by jeering "I always told her you'd get this big. Look at what she thinks of you now." It's a really jerky thing to say, especially for people who own dogs like a bulldog or mastiff (which start out as cute puppies and are just as lovable when they're adults). Sadly, though, there are people out there who do buy a cute puppy but stop liking them once they're not as cute as they'd hoped.
- When Ellie is shot.Carlos: "You're a good dog! (tearfully) You're a GOOD dog!"
- There's a lot of Fridge Horror when you realize that this is the second major loss this guy has had in his life.
- At least. We don't even know if Ellie was his first police dog.
- What's worse, the poor guy, unlike the other sympathetic human characters, doesn't get an on-screen happy ending. Same holds true for the unnamed girlfriend in Bailey's life as Buddy.
- Ellie asking whether she could sleep in Carlos' bed.
- The death of Tino, Bailey's Corgi incarnation. The way he becomes depressed after his dog girlfriend, Roxy, passes away and never recovers—much like one half of an elderly couple dying soon after the other one does. And the way his and Maya's Running Gag of "What are you thinking?" turns sad when she asks him this for the last time—and judging from her tearful expression, she knows full well that it's the last time. The way he responds, "I'm ready" and his final thought of "One of my best lives, really." It's sweet that even though Ethan was his favorite, he genuinely cherished his other lives too.
- Before finally making a connection with a boy from her college, Maya, Tino's owner, has no friends apart from her dog. She spends all her time either in class, studying, or alone in her apartment with Tino. It's never outright stated, but Maya seems to be depressed—Tino even states "She was like Carlos" (his previous owner who was clearly very sad about something). Thank goodness she eventually finds someone and leads a long, happy life with Tino.
- Big Dog simply going off into the woods when he realizes his time has come. It's sad to think that Joe might wake up and have no idea what happened to him, especially since it's well established that Joe loves him and is good to him.
- CJ's last night with her mother. She's assaulted by her boyfriend and is narrowly saved by Molly, then goes to her mother for comfort. Gloria waves her off and asks if if she did anything to "lead him on", and then callously reveals that she spent all of CJ's inheritance. CJ takes the car bought with her money and flees the town, only to get run off the road by her boyfriend, which kills her beloved dog Molly. All in one night. .
