Bark Bark

My book group discussed "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein last night. It's a book about NASCAR racing narrated by A DOG!

Ken's comment was, "So, the dialog goes like this, huh? 'Bark, Bark, Arf, Arf, Woof, Woof'?"

Actually, no. The dog tells a sensitive, touching story about his NASCAR racer owner's family and his (the dog's) sometimes funny, sometimes heart-wrenching reactions to people during tragic events in the family. You don't have to like either racing or dogs to thoroughly enjoy this book and you might walk away, as I did, with a totally new view of our canine companions.

Our conversation, not surprisingly, veered into dog stories and, as the discussion wore on, I marveled at rather convincing stories that dogs do indeed comprehend and understand.

Our hostess is currently dogsitting. She told of this little Schnauzer's need for daily anti-anxiety medication and warned us not to say "good bye" when we left, as that word would leave the dog bereft. We were all careful to avoid the "b" word when we departed. I chuckled as this dog snuggled up on the couch next to the one person in the group who really hates dogs.....just as dogs always seem to go to Ken. The consensus was that the dogs really do sense who doesn't like them and will do all in their powers to make friends.

Becky told of her parents' dog. When her mother was dying in her Indiana home, the family gathered around her bed for prayer. The dog lay down on the floor next to the bed, covered his head with his paws, and remained in that position, silent, for hours. A few years later Becky's father was dying in a nearby hospital. Becky and her sister came home to get some sleep, but a few hours later were awakened by the dog running around crazily and barking hysterically---something this placid dog never did before or since. Sure enough, the phone shortly rang with news from the hospital.

When my god-daughter Liz told me on Monday that she is pregnant, she also told me that her dog has been the first to know about each of her pregnancies. The dog who always sleeps in the kitchen suddenly slept next to her bed. The independent dog started following her around ALL the time. The dog ate differently. With this second pregnancy, Liz hadn't even missed a period when the dog went bonkers. The dog was acting so weird that she actually took a pregnancy test. When the test was negative, she became concerned about the dog but, a few days and another pregnancy test later, she discovered the dog in fact had recognized the pregnancy before she did.

With all this positive dog conversation, I almost began to think I need to make up for a lifetime bereft of canine companionship. Then, however, Mary told of her new puppy. Mary's husband gets up an hour early every morning to give this puppy a 45 minute walk. Mary gives it another 45 minute walk in the afternoon. It's not yet trained. If it doesn't get adequate exercise, it tears the house apart. This will continue throughout the Chicago winter. I think I'm quite content to be dog-less.

Besides, Ken and I have an unusual pre-nuptial agreement. I can have either a husband or a dog. I'm keeping the husband.

But I will look at my relative's and friend's dogs with new appreciation....and wonder what they are thinking about me....and if they'll write a book about us.