The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein is a moving and heart wrenching story of love, loneliness and redemption, all said by a dog. Now if we took the dog for an ordinary clueless animal, we are so far away from reality. Dogs understand their environment more acutely than  humans. They understand all the emotions and states of mind of his human family members. So, who can say a  story better  than a dog! A complete,uncomplicated narration of human endeavor to retain love and dignity in his life,that’s what is The Art of Racing in the Rain about.

I was at first perturbed and even dissatisfied with the human like narration that the family dog Enzo engages in. A few pages into and I was already losing interest. So I just tossed the book aside.Being a dog owner myself, I was aware of dogs’ sixth sense perception and their almost human like behavior. But what made me go back to The Art of Racing in the Rain was a strange incident when my dog took sides in between a fight between me and my brother. He stood by me and he barked at my brother, and I felt strong for having a supporter. My dog then displayed a sense of judgment, of assessing the situation and deciding on right and wrong and taking sides. Popeye might as well be a human in a dog’s clothing. When I narrated this incident to a friend of mine who also has a dog, she too confirmed such similar situations where her dog had reacted practically and independently upon its own judgment.  Now ,why wouldn’t they? They have been a part of our household for so long that if they could talk and somebody were to ask the story of his human family, I’m quite sure Popeye would talk just like a human.

So I returned to the book . The story narrated by Enzo on his death bed. The story of his family, Denny, Eve and Zoie…their love and trials and redemption. The book is so personal to a dog that we also get their issues seldom acknowledged by us. Issues like how their life is a constant waiting for their masters and how humans are actually frightened of dogs for their own insecurity reasons.

This book is worth reading and if you have a dog yourself. This book will change your perception regarding your pet. For all their innocent looks, they might be weaving tales behind their ears, observing and assessing us…apart from the love, licks and affection of course!

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