In "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls, the protagonist experiences the profound loss of his beloved dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. After their passing, he chooses to bury them together, recognizing that this is where they would have wished to be. This act symbolizes the deep bond he shared with them and the love that transcends their physical absence.
The burial signifies more than just the loss of his pets; it represents the end of a significant chapter in his life. The narrator reflects on how much of his childhood and innocence were intertwined with his experiences alongside Old Dan and Little Ann. Their deaths mark a painful transition, encapsulating the emotional weight of growing up and the bittersweet nature of cherished memories.