I think more importantly, they are eluding to the fact that every time we see Smokey we hear unwinding and winding chains, metallic grinding, etc... it must be somehow tethered to the ground, perhaps it can only get so far from it's cerberus vents, like a chained dog.

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`Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle!'

-- Alice, from “Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland”