Partnership / Relationships

As is shown from almost the first page of the novel the relationship between Chet and Bernie is unique and far stronger than what is usually found between a dog and his/her owner. Throughout the novel Chet refers to Bernie as his ‘partner’ and he thinks of himself as an equal partner in the Little Detective Agency. Chet cannot imagine Bernie being able to solve a case without him, and it would seem that Bernie agrees since – with the exception of the times when one or the other of them is missing as a result of being kidnapped (or dog-napped) by Mr. Gulagov – Bernie takes Chet with him everywhere he goes during the course of the investigation. Because they are partners, Chet is able to read Bernie’s moods – particularly when it appears that a situation is likely to turn dangerous (such as when...