This question contains spoilers… (view spoiler)[I'm hesitant to keep reading this after the beginning. I'm definitely into it, but I'm worried about the dog/snake situation later. In all honesty, I'd just as soon skip any book or movie, no matter how good, if there's a sad dog situation. Somebody who has finished it, help me out: does it explain that story more later? Should my overly-sensitive and weepy dog-loving heart just skip it? (hide spoiler)]