Many times throughout the novel, Zevin’s includes supernatural events that readers accept contrary to the usual operating laws of the universe. These events are accepted as natural and even unremarkable. Liz’s first avocation in Elsewhere is working with the DDA, a place where she can communicate with dogs through speaking Canine. After realizing she can speak Canine Liz remarks, “I’ve never spoken it before. Or at least, I never knew I was… I’ve just always seemed to understand dogs, and they always seemed to understand me” (Zevin 132). Being able to speak Canine is something considered to be impossible and at time whimsical. However after realizing her ability, without question Liz accepts the fact that she is now able to speak with dogs.
