What is the theme in Woodsong by Gary Paulsen?

Following up on the first theme is the second theme, bonding with animal life. Paulsen sees the emotional complexity of animals as enabling a special relationship with them, to be friendly with them, to be their kind master and to be their allies and teammates. The bonding that Paulsen explores in most detail occurs with his sledding dogs. Paulsen started running a dog sled in order to make money trapping furs for the state of Minnesota.