Dogalogue October 2019

Oh wow. This was one of those books. You know, the ones that you dread actually finishing? Ok, I did cry before the end of the first chapter but that’s because I knew just how deeply this book was about to touch me.

And it did.

This is a story about relationships, loyalty, remaining positive and having hope. It is a love story told by Enzo, the charming mix-breed companion who awaits the day he’ll return to the earth with opposable thumbs. This is his tale of life shared with his humans, Denny, Eve and Zoe. I’m not going to give away more of the plot line than that but this book will have you laughing, thinking, wringing your hands with fury, and of course, crying.

Perhaps the hardest part of giving your heart to a dog is the knowledge that you’re very likely to outlive your canine companion. But what if reincarnation does return our loved ones? Will you recognize them, assuming you’re even lucky enough to cross paths again? Does it matter? Just the belief that beautiful souls may live again might perhaps provide a little comfort when thinking about the unfairly brief time we may share with the ones we love.

That our dogs’ lives are so short tears at the heart anytime you think about it. But perhaps that tearing is what is needed to make us treasure the moments we do have with our loved ones; to take the photos while we have the camera to hand; and to do the things you’ve thought about but never found the time to do.

How does car racing come into all of this? Simple really… “that which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.” Ok, car racing in the rain can be scary. But if you get in front of the skids, and take control rather than just reacting, it’s much easier to steer your car where you want it to go. Live in the moment.

My biggest regret about this book (besides it ending) is that it took so long before I read it. A friend had recommended it to me years ago but it had slipped off my radar. Until that is a random stop in a rural thrift shop. I was thumbing through the used book collection and this book literally fell off the shelf into my lap. Seriously, if that’s not fate what is? A bit like the dogs that come into our lifes.

Get it, read it, love it. Oh, and the movie is out now too.