rt115+Rontu-Aru

__**Rontu Is Important!**__

In Chapters 25 and 26 of __Island of the Blue Dolphins__ by Scott O'Dell, Karana's loyal dog, Rontu, dies of old age, leading her to capture and tame a new dog. While it's true that she replaces Rontu after he dies, the reader also has to realize that she only want to capture and tame Rontu's son. Some people may think that she doesn't seem to miss Rontu, but the reader should know that she is lonely, misses the companionship, and also she goes without a dog for a whole season just to mourn Rontu. Although it might seem Karana doesn't have special feelings for Rontu, but she names her new dog after Rontu. Even in the book, it says, "At last, because he looked so much like his father, I called him Rontu-Aru, which means Son of Rontu." Because of Karana missing Rontu, Karana decides to get a new dog so she can name it after Rontu and relive her memories of him.