The Art of Racing in the Rain Chapters 56-59 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
I don't want Denny to worry about me. I don't want to force him to take me on a one-way visit to the vet. He loves me so much. The worst thing I could possibly do to Denny is make him hurt me. (58.11)
Enzo is proving his own selflessness here by indicating his desire to make his own death as easy as possible for Denny, since he's already been through so much.
Quote 2
Faster, the wind presses against my face as I run, faster. I feel my heart beating wildly and I bark twice to tell him, to tell everyone in the world, to say faster! I bark twice so he knows, so he remembers. What I want now is what I've always wanted. One more lap, Denny! One more lap! Faster! (58.63-64)
Enzo visualizes distance as a metaphor for death, which he runs to, as quickly and freely as he can. Huh, and we thought we'd be all out of tears by now.
Quote 3
"I love you, boy." (58.56)
This is one of the last things that Denny says to Enzo during his last minutes on earth, before he lets Enzo know that it's okay for him to go, to be free from his life and his dog body and his pain. It's the simplest proclamation of love in the book, and the most bittersweet. No, we're not crying. You're crying. Now hand us that tissue box.
Quote 4
When I return to this world, I will be a man. I will walk among you; I will lick my lips with my small, dexterous tongue. I will shake hands with other men, grasping firmly with my opposable thumbs. And I will teach people all that I know. And when I see a man or a woman or a child in trouble, I will extend my hand, both metaphorically and physically. I will offer my hand. To him. To her. To you. To the world. I will be a good citizen, a good partner in the endeavor of life we all share. (58.13)
If Enzo has learned anything about being a human, it's that humans, while sometimes capable of selfishness and cruelty, are also capable of incredible compassion, understanding, and love. We'd like to think we taught him everything he knows.
Quote 5
And I wonder: have I squandered my dogness? Have I forsaken my nature for my desires? Have I made a mistake by anticipating my future and shunning my present? (58.42)
This is how, it seems, we can tell Enzo is ready to be a person: self-doubt and the fear of wasting time, or of losing or missing out, are common human insecurities. He's nailing them here.
Quote 6
[Denny] was baking cookies last night in anticipation of Zoë's return, making the batter from scratch like he used to do, when the phone rang. (57.3)
Finally, someone in this book is happy, and there's a moment of light, uninterrupted joy. We thought we'd never see that again. Plus, there's reference to cookies, which is bound to make anyone happy.