Part 1 covers chapters: “confession,” “and while I’m at it …,” “robert,” “numero uno,” “how we met,” “the amazing history of man’s best friend,” “in my opinion,” “i’m yours,” “no one,” “early days,” “boss,” “alone,” “cars,” “the owl,” “luck,” “more luck,” “will,” “exit 8,” “history,” and “tennis ball.”

The reader is introduced to the protagonist: Bob. Bob is a dog and admits that he is not a good dog. He often misbehaves: eating things he shouldn’t and rolling in garbage. Bob reveals that he is a mixed breed dog: a “mutt.” He was named Robert by Julia, his owner, but is usually just called Bob (unless he misbehaves).

Bob, in a flashback, describes his abandonment as a puppy, which led him to meet his best friend, Ivan the gorilla. Bob, as well as his brothers and sisters from his litter, were taken from their mother and left beside a highway on a cold night. With desperation, Bob wondered, “But I’m yours” (15), not understanding how the hands of the human he thought cared for him could grab him and throw him into the night. Bob was separated from his siblings and walked along the highway, cold, alone, and terrified.