Fifteen Dogs

In Chapter Two, Majnoun develops a deep emotional bond with a human and briefly reunites with Benjy, from whom Majnoun learns what happened to the pack.

Majnoun wakes up in the home of Nira and Miguel, who found him in the park after his attack and nursed him back to health. Majnoun simultaneously broods about the pack’s betrayal and accepts it as justified since he “had drifted so far from his instincts” (44). His grasp of human language gradually improves, shocking Nira, who subjects Majnoun to a battery of intrusive tests (45). He resolves never to speak again but continues to communicate by nodding and shaking his head. Nira grows to appreciate Majnoun’s wisdom but does not account for the ways their different frames of reference influence their beliefs.

Miguel, who does not believe Majnoun is consciously communicating, suggests that Nira take him for walks in the park. She feels that putting Majnoun on a leash would be degrading, but it becomes necessary after dogs who sense his otherness attack him in off-leash areas. Majnoun is capable of defending himself but does not like hurting other dogs. Nira purchases a leash that Majnoun can easily snap off if he needs or chooses to.