The first is Candy's old dog. Candy raised that dog from a puppy, keeping him close to her heart. The dog shows Candy's nostalgia for her youth. The rabbits mentioned continuously in the story represent Lennie's happiness. Lennie likes the feel of soft things, often picking up mice along the path of George and his journey. The puppy given to Lennie is the symbol of the fate of the weak in the face of the strong. Just as Lennie depends on George, the puppy was completely dependent on him