First of all, the Egyptians started the dog as man's best friend. A great helper and protecter of their master. If a human has a strong relationship with a dog, the dog would sacrifice to protect them, as if a mother and child.
Moving along, dogs are a skilled worker. In many cases, dogs will retrieve things. To a shot down duck or a baby trapped. They will listen to their master for instructions and and do a certain task. Many dogs are used to herd sheep or farm animals.
The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American Dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.
Collected amount; the sentence is saying that dance costumes from over the years eventually busted out from her closet.