Refer to explorations in literature for a complete version of this story. how does isaac bashevis singer use the dog, bow wow, to develop the characterization of professor shlemiel in "the day i got lost"? because the dog refuses to leave professor shlemiel's side, the reader assumes that shlemiel is a good person. shlemiel's treatment of the dog shows that shlemiel is a kind, tender person. the conversation between professor shlemiel and his wife shows that his wife's view of him is correct. from the dog's point of view, the reader can sense that shlemiel is a man who can be trusted.