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Animals are significant in the story both through symbolism and reflecting characters' personalities. Candy's old dog represents migrant farm workers when they get older in that they become tired and are gotten rid of. The puppy and mice Lennie gets and accidentally kills show the strength he cannot control and his compassion for soft things. The rabbits that Lennie hopes to have and care for give George control over Lennie by threatening him with not allowing him to tend the rabbits if he does not behave. George and Lennie dream of having many types of animals when they get their own land. [Animals are significant in the story both through symbolism and reflecting characters' personalities.] For example 'long gulps, snorting into water like a horse'.This shows how Steinbeck portrays Lennie because off how he behaves and the structure off his body is built up showing us that he`s strong like a horse or bear? 'Dragging his feet a little, way a bear drags his paws' [Candy's old dog represents migrant farm workers when they get older in that they become tired and are gotten rid of] Carlson insists on shooting the dog because he claims it is too old and ill to be of any use. Candy is devastated. He has a very old dog, which he has had from a pup. It is his only friend and companion. Candy's dog parallels Candy's dilemma. Though the pet was once a great sheepherder, it was put out to pasture once it stopped being productive.