Euthanized In Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men, a book written by John Steinback that focuses on 1930s California laboring, is placed on a work ranch in California. Candy, a ranch hand, had a dog that he had brought with him to the work ranch and had grown a strong bond with, this is unique because most people travel alone however, another ranch hand, Carlson, did not want the dog around. Carlson thought that the dog had an odor and a poor quality of life and should be euthanized. Candy is suffering with this decision because he knows that the dog is suffering but he also loves the dog and has grown a very strong bond with it. Candy should euthanize the dog because the dog is suffering and the dog is no longer useful to candy and the dog would have a painless death.
The most important reason the dog should be euthanized is because of its poor quality of life. The dog can not eat nor chew because the dog's teeth have gotten so old and the only thing it can have is milk. Carlson argues, “ Got no teeth, [darn] near blind, can’t eat. Candy feeds him milk. He can’t chew nothing else” (36). The dog can hardly walk because it is very overweight and weak, so he is barely able to carry himself. Carlson states, “Ain’t nothing left for him. Can’t eat, can’t see, can’t even walk without hurtin’ ” (47).

The dog will not feel anything so therefore it would not suffer even more than it already has to. Carlson points out, “The way I’d shoot him, he wouldn’t feel nothing. I’d put the gun right there.” He pointed with his toe. “Right back of the head. He wouldn’t even quiver.”(45) It would also be a very quick death, and candy doesn’t have to watch because Carlson is willing to euthanize the dog himself. In his conversation with Candy and Slim, Carlson says, “If you want me to, I’ll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over