In this book, a boy who has been bullied is tempted to teach his dog, Roscoe, to bite other children and fight other dogs. As time goes on, Johnny Ray learns about being kind to animals, through raising his puppy. He learns that violence is never the answer and that a person should never train his dog to fight other dogs and bite people, especially those that are smaller and more vulnerable than him. This important story is an allegory that teaches about the tragedy of domestic violence. Through Johnny Ray's experience and growth, children can learn a valuable lesson about treating all humans and animals with love, kindness, and respect.