Chapter 5 Summary

Opal and the Preacher soon find out that Winn-Dixie does not like to be left alone. If he's tied up to a rope outside the trailer, he howls, and he howls so loudly that he disturbs other residents.

Opal convinces the Preacher to take Winn-Dixie with them to church, and so they do. Because the Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi used to be a Pick-It-Quick store, it doesn't look like a typical church. There are no pews, the congregation brings its own folding chairs, and they all sit together in a circle.

The Preacher and Opal tie Winn-Dixie to a tree outside while they conduct services, but Winn-Dixie will have nothing of it. He howls and howls until Opal fetches him and brings him into church. Winn-Dixie lies down beside her and perks his ears up as though he were listening to...