Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Author Garth Stein seems to have an edge when it comes to interpreting dog's minds.

In his book, "The Art of Racing in the Rain", he taps into some of the best thoughts a dog could have, if we knew what they are thinking.

Anyone who has a dog knows they think. Some scientists dispute that dogs can reason, have emotions, or can decipher right from wrong. If you've ever had a dog, or any other pet for that matter, you know that any dispute is a waste of time. Animals definitely think. They also seem to be able to discern avenues of desires and how to make their owners respond.

Take for example the ailing dog who was unable to stand one morning. His aging body wasn't cooperating and he couldn't get his hips to rise. In a panic, the owner bent down and lifted the dog outside. After a frantic call to the vet, the owner gave the prescribed pain relievers and was told to keep the dog up as much as possible.

The owner found innovative ways to get the dog interested in life. She clapped, called his name, offered snacks and unusual treats as an incentive for movement. When the dog responded, the owner was ecstatic. She encouraged the dog through the yard, into the house and to its sleeping area for days on end. The dog improved greatly, and began walking normally.

Then one morning the dog began hobbling stiffly beside the owner while in the yard. The owner grimaced inwardly but tried to ignore the renewed staccato gait. She walked ahead of the dog feigning indifference. As she began to look about, she glimpsed the dog trotting forward. Astounded she twirled around only to see the dog catch her glance and slow its pace to a stilted, awkward walk. That ended the treat giving for walking. Obviously the dog was well past his state of duress and had decided to give acting a try. Since this owner was me, I decided I wasn't going to give out medals for Best Performance.

Take another example of my friend, Sue, whose dog was prone to seizures. Her poodle had a terrible seizure one evening that nearly killed him. Distressed, Sue began a series of medications to relieve the episodes.

For months the poodle did well. It ate, played and acted as any other dog in the dog park. Then one night during supper time, the dog began to tremble. He was under the table at the time, and Sue didn't realize anything was happening. When the dog whined, the owner looked down and found the poodle quivering.

Convinced the episode wasn't going to amount to much, Sue told the dog he was fine and to just relax. She continued eating her supper. As soon as she pushed her chair back towards the table the dog started whining again. The owner got down on the floor with her pooch and pet him until the seizure had passed. The dog stopped whining immediately and my friend realized that she had always stroked the dog while he was having a seizure. He obviously needed the comfort during the troubling minutes and was able to share that with his owner.

It seems clear that Stein has a lot of experience with dogs. When Enzo, the dog hero of the book, says that dogs only have gestures instead of words, it resonates with animal owners everywhere. Dogs use dozens of gestures throughout our day.

They wag their tails. They cock their ears forward or back depending upon the situation at present. They jump, they spin, they run, they do the yoga motion when they want to play. Using their tongue, they lick us when they want affection, or they lick their rear-ends to show us they are having a problem.

Day in and day out dogs communicate with us. My dog waits until I have brushed my teeth in the morning before she does her ritual spin in the hallway. The spin means she has to go outside for a bathroom break. When she has to go out after I am ready for bed, and she knows she shouldn't bother me but she has to in order not to create a scene, she shly lowers her head and goes around my chair in a broad apologetic appeal. When this happens I know she doesn't mean to upset our routine, only that she can't help the timing of her need.

Enzo says, in the book, that he plans to come back as a person and he feels he would make a good person because he is a good listener. Dog owners everywhere can unite on that one. Without dogs where would most of us be? Who would we tell our deepest, darkest secrets to if it weren't for our companion, the dog. They don't care who you are, how you're dressed, or where you've been. As long as you come back, they are happy to pick up right where you left off together.

Of course dogs do have their moods. Sometimes they simply don't want to go out walking. My sister experienced that with my first dog one afternoon. She thought it would be fun to stop by and take the dog for a walk, since she has no dog of her own. She got the leash out and called the dog over. He came happily and then started dancing around. She couldn't get the leash on and wondered what the problem was. After telling him to calm down, she finally got the leash hooked and they started out. They got as far as the curb.

After a minute they returned. I asked what had happened. She said, "He didn't want to go for a walk."

"Really?" I asked. "That's unusual. He always likes going."

"No, not always," she said. "I talked to him about it and he was acting up so bad I decided he didn't want to walk."

She unhooked the leash the headed back out. "But I'm going for a walk," she said. She closed the gate and the dog found his favorite place in the sun and laid down. Obviously she was right. He hadn't wanted to go, and this time she was the good listener.

Stein writes a good read here. He handles the toughest issues along with the amusing. He deals with life as life goes, in it's messiness and it's joy. He brings out the best in us by giving us a way to express our deepest moments through the eyes and ears of a dog.

There are parts that will make you want to quickly turn the page, and others that will leave you thinking for a long time to come. Stein enters the human soul by using words from a dog, and if dogs could talk, I think they would sound like Enzo.