--Dogs play some part in Humbert's psyche, as he remembers them from his childhood: "I grew, a happy, healthy child in a bright world of illustrated books, clean sand, orange trees, friendly dogs, sea vistas and smiling faces" (10).
--The limousine driver carting Humbert to Charlotte's house nearly runs over a dog: "Speaking of sharp turns: we almost ran over a meddlesome suburban dog (one of those who lie in wait for cars) as we swerved into Lawn Street" (36).
--When Humbert tells Lo to "Take it easy": "(Down, poor beast, down.) Also, though the reference is not obviously canine, I think it is worth mentioning in light of the first near-roadkill experience: "Presently, making a sizzling sound with her lips, she started complaining of pains, said she could not sit, said I had torn something inside her. The sweat rolled down my neck, and we almost ran over some little animal or other that was crossing the road with tail erect" (141).
--Humbert refers to himself as "nature's faithful hound" (135).
--Humbert does once refer to Lo as a "little bitch"--"She would be, figuratively speaking, wagging her tiny tail, her whole behind in fact as little bitches do" (164).
--Immediately after, Humbert's description of Lo sitting in his lap rings a canine bell--"I liked the cool feel of armchair leather against my massive nakedness as I held her in my lap" (165).
--Humbert complains when Lolita plays with a dog, not him--ironically after considering the last quote--"There she was playing with a damned dog, not me" (236).
Like the dead, the dogs are abundant in Lolita and seem to be a pertinent theme to touch upon; in what depth, I am not sure, though it may be smart to pay attention to the way Humbert illustrates himself and Lo as dogs most often, but not too many other (if any) people.
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