Dog

Candy's dog not only represents Candy himself (old and useless to most), but also represents the theme of lonliness. Candy's dog is his companion. He keeps Candy company and provides unconditional love. Candy is the only other character (aside from Lennie and George) who has an unconditional love for a fellow creature, and he is left utterly bereft when Carlson takes his dog out back and shoots it. Candy's immediate attachment to George and Lennie's plan to settle on a farm of their own can be seen as a natural emotional progression following his loss - he looks for new companionship, now that he has lost his poor dog.