The Art of Racing in the Rain

To be quite honest, I did not want to read this book.  It had nothing to do with the writer or his talent, I was just not interested in reading about a dog.  I have never gotten into the dog/pet books, and this seemed like just another in a long line of pet stories.  

I did obviously end up reading it, though I fought the encouragement from my husband, father and mother, all of whom loved it and said it was a "must read".  The reason for my doggedness is because I have issues with one of my two dogs right now.  He is needy, constantly eyeing me, following me from room to room, never relaxing, shaking and drooling and whining when I get my sweats on to go for a walk, and just a basic loyal, loving pain in the rear.  To read a book that I already knew was going to make me have sympathy for the main character, a dog, was going to force me to look at my own dog in a different way.  I am glad I relented.  

I was immediately and completely absorbed in a fun, philosophical, heartfelt story about this dog, Enzo and his life with his family.  Enzo is such an enlightened character, and his insightful perspective on four legged and two legged beings was educating and thought provoking.

In a matter of two days, I laughed out loud, felt guilty, roared with extreme dislike (bordering on hatred for the story because of the characters' choices and actions), and shed tears of relief and love.  It was a roller coaster of emotions and definitely tugged at my heart strings.  I am better for having read it.  Garth Stein has a true talent.  He told a wonderful story with a voice, in the first person, of a dog that was believable, educated, and emotionally moving.  The Art of Racing in the Rain is so much more than a story about a dog; it is a look in to the competitive mind of a race car driver, a love story and ultimately a discussion on how your focus determines your reality.

I am appreciative for the new eyes it gave me when looking at my own dogs; one in particular.