L. T.'s Theory of Pets

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L. T.'s Theory of Pets is a horror short story by American writer Stephen King. It was originally published in the 1997 limited-edition collection Six Stories. In 2001, it was released as an audiobook with the recording of King reading the story live at Royal Festival Hall in London. In 2002, it was collected in King's collection Everything's Eventual.

Video L. T.'s Theory of Pets

Plot summary

The story is told from the first-person perspective of a working-class husband, who recalls a story told by L. T., a chatty co-worker, about the brewing trouble behind his marriage. These problems are attributed to pets purchased by L. T. and his wife. The wife purchased a dog for L. T. which, in turn, disliked him instantly and sided with his wife. Soon, L. T. purchased a cat for his wife, who immediately took to L.T. instead. Despite the fact that the dog and the cat get along fine, L. T. and his wife continuously argue, adding some irony. While riding inside the narrator's car, L.T. asks him if arrogance is to blame. L.T.'s wife eventually leaves him and says she had gone to her mother's. However, she never arrives. King reveals that she has taken the dog with her, and her car was discovered abandoned on a deserted roadside in Nevada. The only thing found was her dog, axed to death. It's revealed that a serial killer is on the loose in the area, who kills women with an axe, known as the Axe Man. L.T. still hopes she is alive, although this is unlikely.

Maps L. T.'s Theory of Pets

Inspiration

Stephen King said his story is inspired by a Dear Abby editorial about how giving people pets as gifts may be viewed as arrogance in certain circles, because it assuming the receiver can--and wants to--look after the pet. King himself briefly discusses how he received a Pembroke Welsh Corgi as a present, and has enjoyed its company ever since.