The Art of Racing In the Rain by Garth Stein

So now I am onto my next book (see title), a novel highly recommended by my Aunt Kathleen. My mom was actually getting set to read this as well but upon initially picking it up and reading the first 2 or 3 pages, she had to put it down again, thinking she couldn't handle it. The book is about Enzo, a lab terrier mix, living in Seattle with his family and is told through his eyes, in his voice. The novel starts with him at the end of his life (this is why Mom had a hard time but once past the first few pages, it isn't about him dying - at least not yet) and reflects back on the years he spent with his original owner, Denny, and eventually Denny's wife, Eve and their daughter Zoe. One of the reasons that I love this book already is that it makes me think about the things I say to my sweet puppies and what they hear/understand. For example, I usually try and keep them in the dark about when I'm going away for a few days but seeing how that has thrown Enzo off and left him feeling depressed and left out, I feel like I should explain to them from now on. I know that this is a book of fiction, but it really reinforces what I already believed about my dogs: That they understand much more than we give them credit for and they definitely understand more about us, their "owners" than we can ever imagine. If you are a dog lover - or even a dog liker, you should certainly read this book.

Update:  Alright! I finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein last night. It was very good. I loved getting a glimpse of what my sweet pups may be thinking. Yes, I know that it's a piece of fiction but as a dog lover, it's nice to think that my pups love me as much as I love them and think about me all the time. The book really revolved around the circumstances in Denny's life after his wife dies (this isn't a "spoiler" - you learn that she is gone within the first few pages). I loved the ending though, of course, I cried like a baby. A definite "must read" for anyone who loves a dog.