Content Warning: This section discusses animal cruelty and death.

The story’s narrator introduces himself as a border collie who has had many names, though Jack is his favorite name. When he was a pup, he lived on a sheep farm and wanted nothing more than to earn his reputation by herding the sheep. On the day that he finally gets his chance, he watches the more experienced collies for a while until he feels “ready to do it, flat out, with all [his] heart” (17). However, his dreams of herding sheep are cut short by a fire.

The farm suffers great losses in the fire. Jack and his siblings are sold, and Jack ends up at a pet store, where a little girl adopts him. The girl names him “Baby” and pushes him around in a stroller. Jack cares for the girl, but he does not feel at home with her. On the second day, he runs away, intending to find a place where he can be useful. He is keenly aware that he once had a purpose, and he resolves to find a purpose for his life.