Rabbit, Dogs, Horses, and Coyotes

Animals are used as companions within the novel, The Wars. In the prologue, dogs and horses are the companions of Robert Ross.
I first thought the prologue described a scene which a good deed was done by Robert Ross, as it appeared that he was releasing the horses. However, in the following section, it appeared that the reference of Robert and the horses brought negative emotions to the characters, thus his action was not a good one.
Characters with animal companions so far are Taffler, who has a dog, and Rowena, who has rabbits. Robert is also seen with a coyote during a scene in which he is jogging.
Coyotes are animals that are hunt alone. "Lone wolves" come to mind when the word "coyote" is said.
"Robert was late that night for lights out. His punishment was that he was confined to the barracks for two weeks. In the evenings, he sat on the roof and stared and stared and stared across the prairie - wishing that someone would howl." p.28
Robert is placed in a situation similar to the coyote - alone and thirsty (for another person's presence, represented by the howl).