Because+of+Winn+Dixie

//Ms. Schwieters' class- Chapter 1/2 thoughts-//
===//We pictured the grocery store-// all the vegetables flying everywhere, things falling on the floor, fat manager screaming. Winn-Dixie running all over, empty produce shelves, employees making fools of themselves, the dog slipping on the floor when he is running.===

We think that Winn-Dixie doesn't belong to anyone because he is balding, skinny and has no collar.
===Opal already loves Winn-Dixie because she has always wanted a dog and doesn't want Winn-Dixie to have a bad life. She gave him a name. Perhaps she is a dog lover. She could like pets. She might want a friend because she is in a new town and only has a dad.Her dad is the town preacher.===

Opal really wants a human friend. Since Winn Dixie can't talk and the preacher doesn't talk, Opal is looking for someone to have a conversation with.

Winn Dixie is good at making friends because he doesn't want to hurt things and is gentle. He goes with the flow. He has grown his fur back so people aren't afraid of him. He is calm. He is kind to other things. He is a dog. Winn Dixie gives them a new perspective. Winn Dixie lets others take their time.

**When Winn-Dixie is missing after the thunderstorm, Gloria Dump says to Opal, " There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it." What do you think Gloria means?**

Sometimes you just have to let go. You have to love it while you got it and when it is gone you have to remember you loved it. If you take care of something you love, it will always be with you in your heart.

**What decisions does Opal make in this story that end up changing her life?**

She is going to stop thinking about her mamma so much. Taking care of Winn-Dixie. Made friends with the boys. She cared about everybody at the party. Took a job because she wasn't afraid of Otis.


 * What does the title Because of Winn-Dixie mean to you?**

She didn't have any friends and Winn-Dixie changed that. She loves him very much and if he dies, she will be sad. Winn Dixie changed her life by helping her get friends. Everything that happened in the book is because of Winn-Dixie.

**What do you think Opal and the preacher get from having Winn-Dixie?** I think they get friends, a job and a party. They get a new life style, Opal gets her first friendship, the preacher comes out of his turtle shell, Opal and the preacher love each other more, new family member, more things about her mamma and something to keep Opal's mind off missing her mom. They get love from Winn-Dixie, a good dog and someone to care for Opal. Winn Dixie replaced her mom.

Yes, because I would like to see what happiness and sadness taste like together. Yes, because I would like to see what sadness tastes like. Yes, I would like to try one because life is full of sweet and sorrow. Yes, because I think that it would probably taste like 2 great things and sadness. Yes, because I don't have anything to be sad about. Yes because it would make me change my life style. Yes, because it would remind me of my horse, pets and people I know that died. And it would taste sweet.
 * Do you think you'd like to eat a Littmus Lozenge? Why or why not?**

She has a big effect on Opal and then Opal has a reason to hope. It makes the story a lot more sad. It explains her actions.For example, why she wanted Winn-Dixie. Cause she is a family member and Opal loves her so much even though she left.
 * In what ways is Opal's mother a very important character in the book even though she never appears?**

It is easier because they can't talk back or make fun of you. They're adorable and awesome. They can't talk and so they can't tell anyone your secrets so they can't betray you. They can't be mean to you or hurt your feelings and because you can trust them.
 * Why do you think it is sometimes easier to talk to or be friends with a pet than with people?**