Old Yeller

Old Yeller

This book is named Old Yeller and it is by Fred Gipson. This book is based on a 14-year-old boy named Travis and his dog Old Yeller. This book takes place in an old log cabin in Birdsong Creek, with Travis explaining his story from the beginning.

Travis was a lonely boy from Kansas who one day finds a yellow haired dog that first makes him so mad that he wanted to shoot the dog, but when he does have to shoot him his conscience holds him back. He begs his father to keep him and at first he was hesitant not to let Travis, but finally comes to his senses, and lets him keep him. Travis named the dog Old Yeller, which kind of has a double meaning, old meaning how old the dog looked, and Yeller meaning he had stingy, short yellow hair. Travis didn't have any friends until he met the dog, which afterwards he began a friendship with Old Yeller. But suddenly when Travis` dad was called off to a cattle drive to make money. At first Travis didn't want him to go, but they need the money. Poor Travis was left with his hands full, but Old Yeller made it more manageable for Travis by giving him a hand. But suddenly 3 days after the absence of Travis` father a very terrible disease that wreaks havoc upon the small state of Kansas. The disease is said to turn animals and humans into weird and mad creatures. This leaves Travis, his Mother and Arliss very scared for the health of their father. After the first week goes by and no sign of the father anywhere, the family keeps warm by wrapping a blanket around them and letting the body heat keep them warm. Finally after a week and a half the father returns safe and healthy with a big wad of cash in his hand.

In the end when Travis` father comes back, but Old Yeller is affected by the disease and dies. But the bright side is Travis` father comes back with a bunch of money. But still Travis can never have the kind of friendship that he had with Old Yeller.