This is not the first time Reacher passed by this house with the white picket fence surrounding it and a dog behind its walls. The dog seemed pale, a bit unhealthy when he first saw the dog; Reacher filled the dog's bowl with water. He sought out the dog again, and noticed the dog's condition worsened. By this second visit, he made sure to bring some food for the dog. By the third time, the dog was laying on the grass, very dehydrated and starved.

This made Reacher furious; though, you could only tell by the way he told you to stop the car, and how he got out of the car and hopped the fence, checking on the dog.