What is King's fascination with abusing dogs?

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

My question is why he uses scenes with animal violence so much. It has nothing to do with king as a person, but it is in reference to the aspect of his writing where he uses the animal violence to symbolize somtehing. that was my question--what is King trying to convey with those scenes? Just was asking, didn't know if there was a literary angle king was going with the abuse. Thanks.

[Bryan James]

It's just part of his Korean heritage.

For Birthday parties they hollow a dog out, and then fill it with live grubworms, bottlecaps, peppermints and condoms before stitching it back up. Then the guests take turns wacking it with a golden digeridoo until the dog asplodes.

Then the party begins.

Seems normal to me.

~BJS

[cholubek]

I have not yet read all of Stephen King's books and don't want to read Cujo, but I have found in most of his books that has a dog in it, he kills the dog. They are not necessarly abused, as I just read the part in Under the Dome where the German Shep. gets shot. Mr. King could have at least let him rip the guys throat out before he was shot. I can feel for Mr. Kings characters just fine without him always killing the dogs.

[Denise Marsden]

I think SK is very brave to create his characters and let them grow in strength until they seem capable of anything and go off on their own. He has explored this in his work, ie The Dark Half. He seems to open up to his subconscious and allow the monsters and archetypes common to all of us in our nightmares, to walk right out and on to his page.One of his nightmares may be the cruelty to animals . It takes courage to bring your nightmares to life.

[TBlack]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

[~Ally~]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

Damn, I wish I had thought of that one!
I really must try harder.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

But James!
You poke badgers with spoons!
Watta ya got against poor badgers?

That is an animated cartoon, meant as a joke dealing with the tickling of animals (at least, that's how I interpret it). It does not reflect my opinion regarding animals, and I do not condone animal cruelty.

[JAMESTHEKINGFAN]

I think SK is very brave to create his characters and let them grow in strength until they seem capable of anything and go off on their own. He has explored this in his work, ie The Dark Half. He seems to open up to his subconscious and allow the monsters and archetypes common to all of us in our nightmares, to walk right out and on to his page.One of his nightmares may be the cruelty to animals . It takes courage to bring your nightmares to life.

Thank you, you have brought up a very thoughtful point. I agree with that notion, about bringing the nightmares to the page--after all, King writes mostly horror fiction. Honestly, I hadn't thought about that until you brought it up.

[RandomMan]

Like many have said...Its a violent act of one who is psychology impaired. It gets the readers attention and provokes feelings and attitudes toward that character. Same as when one of his characters acts violently toward women and children. When these events happen, SK knows he's just pulled a string, that is his intent...and it works. Shoot a dog, rape a girl, etc...and I want to beat the hell out of that character!!!!

[~Ally~]

That is an animated cartoon, meant as a joke dealing with the tickling of animals (at least, that's how I interpret it). It does not reflect my opinion regarding animals, and I do not condone animal cruelty.

I'm pretty sure that TBlack's comment was meant as a joke also.
The same as your avatar is...he was just trying to lighten the mood.