He represents the "troublesome" parts of our own lives—the anxieties, the unmet needs, and the wild instincts we try to suppress. Katz realizes that Devon’s destructive behaviors were simply a plea for meaningful work.
They represent the comfort of the known—the unconditional love that asks for nothing but a walk and a warm spot on the rug. A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me
The "deep" truth of this story lies in the mirror the dogs hold up to the human at the center of the storm. He represents the "troublesome" parts of our own