Life in 2025 America is far harsher than in the contemporary era. Whereas in the present, people are generally careful to protect the innocence of children and to discourage gun use among the young, in the world of the novel this is no longer possible. Violence and danger are unavoidable facts of life for Lauren and her community. As the appearance of the feral dog demonstrates, this threat comes as much from the natural environment as it does from other people. It’s also notable that dogs in the world of the book are always feral and dangerous—never pets or companions. This reflects the way that humans themselves have become varying degrees of “feral” in post-apocalyptic America.