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to decide to save the last few chapters to read in pri- vate, knowing that the end would elicit an emotional response that I preferred not to share (and to keep my emotions in check for our runs). I made the right deci- sion.
The twists and turns of Denny and Enzo’s life are trag- ic and joyful, painful and sweet. The Art of Racing in the Rain is a wonderful read. I have a list of friends waiting for their turn for my copy, and it would be a fine gift for the readers on your giving list. It can take a toll on your emotions, but it’s worth every tug of the heartstrings.
Now if you are looking for something perhaps a little lighter and more doggy, I just finished a really fun mys- tery novel titled: Dog On It by Spencer Quinn (Simon & Schuster, 2009). This is the first in hopefully a long series of books featuring Chet and Bernie, a human and canine private investigation team that will have you laughing out loud.
I can’t imagine any dog person not enjoying Chet, the canine half of the team. A K9 class dropout (he almost graduated except for that incident that involved leaping and maybe some blood), Chet is one very doggy dog. This is not a dog with a human soul, but a dog who thinks and acts exactly like—well—a dog! The author has managed to get into the canine mind and imbue Chet with the most canine outlook I’ve ever read.
Chet and his human partner, Bernie Little, came together around the time that Chet left K9 school— though the details are promised at a later date. They are an inseparable duo, with a relationship that is not fan- ciful but believable in the real world. Chet often finds himself admonished by Bernie to stop doing something (barking, for instance) that Chet didn’t even realize he was doing. It’s funny because it’s so true. And when Chet meets other animals, he is most assuredly a dog.
Our story begins when the mother of a missing teen- ager seeks out Bernie to help find her daughter. Along the way the reader gets to follow Bernie’s logic and investigative skills to solve the case as well as Chet’s own skills at tracking and apprehending the culprits. From the urban streets to the canyons and desert arroyos, Bernie and Chet take the reader on a ride of a lifetime. Chet’s narrative style is so enjoyable to read, I laughed out loud as I turned the pages.
I may be making this sound like a bit of fluff reading, but it doesn’t just make you laugh, there’s suspense as well. Even though I knew there would be other novels to follow, I still worried for the life of our canine hero when he found himself in a couple of very dangerous and near death predicaments. In fact, I came very close to chewing my nails down while reading chapter thir- teen (and I am not a nail biter).
Of course our heroes each solve the mystery in their own ways and in their own time. Though having the attention span of a canine, Chet does have a hard time remembering that fact. True to canine behavior, he lives in the moment and is sometimes easily distracted by wonderful things like dog biscuits, tennis balls, and a mysterious female barking from down the street.
having one black ear and one white ear, so the reader is left, at least for now, to picture him as they will. I have to admit however that despite the ears, he reminded me in attitude so much of my friend’s Dutch shepherd Zombie that he will probably always look like him in my mind. (Yes, she’s on the list to read this, too.)
I really enjoyed this book and read it way too quickly (and in my hammock too). I can’t wait for future nov- els where we can learn more backstory on how Chet and Bernie got together and what the future holds for them.
This is a story full of fun and smiles for the dog lover, and some mystery and action for the recreational reader. Perhaps you will appreciate Bernie’s love for the desert and his attempts at finding love in a crazy world. Or perhaps you’ll see your own dog in Chet’s inherent dog- giness. I loved it all and highly recommend this one for a fun, relaxing read. If the next Chet and Bernie mystery was under my Christmas tree this year, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Enjoy!
My Christmas Wish
Here’s a Christmas wish to make my Christmas glow, All I’d like for Christmas is simply Best In Show.
If that’s too much dear Santa, then my heart would loop-de-loop. If you’d see fit to give me a placing in the Group.
In fact, I’d be quite satisfied, and not show too much greed, If you’d be kind and generous, and give me Best of Breed.
Dear Santa, I’d be merry and really feel quite rich,
If you’d arrange a gift of Winners Dog or Winners Bitch!
But I’d be joyful, Santa, and I’d dance the Highland Fling,
If pup would just be happy and BEHAVE right in the ring !!!!
Author Unknown
Chet is never really physically described other than
November/December 2009
The Australian Shepherd Journal 35