A guide to by Garth Stein follows the journey of Enzo, a philosophical dog who believes he will be reincarnated as a human if he is "prepared". Using racing as a metaphor for navigating life's obstacles, the novel explores themes of loyalty, loss, and the human condition. Major Characters
The "pain" index is critical. The novel handles Enzo’s arthritis and final decline with scientific accuracy. Index entries for "arthritic pain" appear in Chapters 51 (the first limp), 62 (the fall on the linoleum), and 70 (the final drive). index of art of racing in the rain