He is willing and able to work always and though Skeet and Nig are also always willing to work for John, it is only Buck who seems genuinely happy and ready to do the work. Buck is much different than the other dogs when it comes to attention as well. "Unlike Skeet, who was won't to shove her nose under Thornton's hand and nudge till petted, or Nig, who would stalk up and rest his great head on Thornton's knee, Buck was content to adore at a distance" (91-92). Buck is able to turn from a wild beast into a tame and loving animal and it is because of John that Buck is able to do this. It can be gathered that John is a bit of a wild beast himself. Buck's connection to John is very primitive; though he feels and hears the call of the wild, he does not go because of his unfaltering love for John. John saved Buck's live and then Buck saves John's life and because of these acts these two creatures seem to be forever intertwined.

While the relationship between Buck and John seems to be rather primitive, there is also something very honest and human about the relationship as well....

"For a long time after his rescue, Buck did not like Thornton to get out of sight" (92). Buck does not return to the wild while he is with John because he loves his master too much; however, one he has to say farewell to his master, the call of the wild gets stronger and stronger. Buck's returning to the wild could also be symbolic of John's returning to the earth (i.e., dying) -- we all return to where we came from.
The similarities between Buck and John are many, but there are also many differences between the two. What the story illustrates for us is the fact that we can never tame what is wild by nature. Buck's love for John is very strong, but it is not enough to tame the fever that is inside him. Likewise, John loves Buck very much yet he can never tame Buck or. himself. They are both creatures who are full of adventure and longing.