Sandburrs

"Sandburrs" by Alfred Henry Lewis is a compilation of stories from the late 1800s that capture the lives of people battling it out in a tough city environment, especially those struggling at the bottom of society, mixed with moments of both dark humor and sadness. In one story, readers are introduced to Martin, a bartender involved in the world of dog fighting, preparing his bull terrier, Spot, for a fight against Pincher as the story vividly portrays the excitement of the fight and the bond between Martin and his dog. The stories blend excitement and harshness inherent in dog fighting, highlighting the connections between the characters and their lives, while also setting the stage to examine complex human emotions and societal problems through a set of compelling and darkly funny tales.