Actually, I think I had this dream the same night I heard a news report about a man here in the U.S. who was running for congress. He stated that a lot of soldiers who go home on leave actually want to go back to Iraq to be with thier fellow commrades. It's like a brotherhood to them and they feel that their buddies need them.

I feel this explains to a great extent the symbolism behind the dogs in the road. The "dogs" are staying with their fallen commrades, the "dead dogs." There was also a film several years ago called, "The Dogs of War."