Chapters 18-26: Mark stages a protest in his hometown in hopes of gaining attention to the cause of dogs used in war, specifically Wolfie. He is nervous about the protest and thinks that ten to twenty people will show. Because so many protesters wanted to join any protest against the war in Viet Nam, the protest turns into a huge demonstration. As the protest begins, Vietnam Veterans Against the War shows up and takes the lead in the march. Mark's mom helps a veteran in a wheelchair, and her participation in the march sparks a tough time in her marriage. Mark's dad does not oppose the war.
Mark continues to receive letters from Tucker as Wolfie. These letters describe more about conditions than the letters of Mark's brother Danny. Mark's mom believes Danny was trying to spare them worry.
Danny returns home after an injury that cost him part of his leg. He has changed significantly, and really doesn't fit the happy-go-lucky brother that Mark knew before Danny left. He came back angry and embittered. This is hard for Mark and his family to handle. Mark starts to isolate himself from others, particularly Claire.
Finally, the sad news comes that Wolfie was shot and killed by a sniper. Wolfie was protecting the men he was with from the sniper, jumping toward him and thus getting shot. Tucker and a few of the other men write to Mark about their wonderful memories of Wolfie and how grateful they were to have him.
The novel ends six years later with the fall of Saigon. Mark, now a college student, writes a letter to Wolfie describing the events that have occurred recently, and that the war has officially been declared over. He describes the anger of some of the soldiers that the army considered the dogs "equipment," so they had to be left in crates or set free in Viet Nam (most likely to be eaten). Mark's letter ends with Mark writing that he would use what he knew about Wolfie and his life to grow to be the best person he could be, and that he would never forget Wolfie.
Mark continues to receive letters from Tucker as Wolfie. These letters describe more about conditions than the letters of Mark's brother Danny. Mark's mom believes Danny was trying to spare them worry.
Danny returns home after an injury that cost him part of his leg. He has changed significantly, and really doesn't fit the happy-go-lucky brother that Mark knew before Danny left. He came back angry and embittered. This is hard for Mark and his family to handle. Mark starts to isolate himself from others, particularly Claire.
Finally, the sad news comes that Wolfie was shot and killed by a sniper. Wolfie was protecting the men he was with from the sniper, jumping toward him and thus getting shot. Tucker and a few of the other men write to Mark about their wonderful memories of Wolfie and how grateful they were to have him.
The novel ends six years later with the fall of Saigon. Mark, now a college student, writes a letter to Wolfie describing the events that have occurred recently, and that the war has officially been declared over. He describes the anger of some of the soldiers that the army considered the dogs "equipment," so they had to be left in crates or set free in Viet Nam (most likely to be eaten). Mark's letter ends with Mark writing that he would use what he knew about Wolfie and his life to grow to be the best person he could be, and that he would never forget Wolfie.
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