Cafall

People who know me already must be expecting this post. ;) I'm a devoted fan of "The Dark Is Rising" sequence by Susan Cooper, and it's pretty predictable that I find a way to talk about it.

There are three dogs in TDIR, of course: Raq and Ci, Will's dogs, and Cafall, Bran's dog. My favourite is the latter, since we see more of him. He's described as "a white dog, white all over with only one small black patch on its back, like a saddle. Except for the curious pattern of colouring, it looked like a traditional Welsh sheep dog, muscular and sharp-muzzled, with feathered legs and tail: a smaller version of the collie."

He's extremely loyal to his master -- as all fictional dogs seem to be! -- and ends up dying for the cause, chasing strange creatures that belong to the enemy. He keeps Bran company when he has no other friends, and goes into danger willingly.

"Bran was on his knees by the dog, sobbing, cradling the white head on his lap. He called desperately to Cafall, fondling his ears, dropping his cheek just once, in longing, to rest against the smooth neck. But there was nothing to be done."

So, here's to Cafall. <3