[HPforGrownups] Re: why Sirius transforms into a dog (possible OOP spoilers)

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 64495

magicalme9 wrote:
> 
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "maneelyfh" <maneelyfh at y...>
> wrote:
> > I realize this is probably been discussed before, and I have tried
> > to serach the archives.  But dogs do not seem to be wizard animals
> > so why is Sirius's animagi a dog?
> 
> I've given thought to the whole animagi theory, too, but am not able
> to come up with sraight answers. IMHO wizards and witches transform
> into the animagus form that goes best with their character. Don't
> know whether they are able to choose the animal. Now, Sirius is to me
> (besides all the other awesome things:)) a very loyal person. Dogs
> are known to be very loyal friends, they always follow their masters
> no matter what. (Sirius doesn't seem like the person to take orders
> from a master though...although he follows DD orders not to leave the
> house).
> As to dogs not being a wizard animal, well beetles or stags aren't
> either...

Dogs in general may not be wizard animals, but black dogs are not
only (folklorically) often witches' familiars, but Faerie
animals.  "Padfoot," in fact, is the name of a kind of faerie
that takes the shape of a large black dog.

Some of the things people have been noting about Sirius's
personality are notably canine.  Dogs are pack animals: the flip
side of their loyalty to those they identify as part of their
"pack" is their suspicion of those who are =outside= it.  This
easily translates to the "these people are important/these
aren't" aspect that people have been pointing out.  Those whom
Sirius identifies as "pack members/on my side" are those he
values and is unswervingly loyal to.  Those beyond the pale are,
well, beyond the pale.


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>