I love my pets. I am not unusual in this, but it tears me apart when one of them dies. Several years ago when we lost our dog Mugsy, the only way I could deal with it was to go to the Panhandle Humane Society and find another dog to love. B.G. entered our lives. Anyway, reading about other people’s pets who die is something I avoid like the plague. I have never read “Marley and Me”, and it was all I could do to read about Dewey, the Library Cat.
Well, I read the first chapter of a new book by Dean Koontz about his dog Trixie, “a big little life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog” and was hooked. Trixie was a sixty-pound Golden Retriever who lived less than twelve years. She came to the Koontz home after elbow surgery forced her early retirement from a career as a companion dog. Canine Companions for Independence trained her to assist people with physical disabilities. Koontz writes, “In this big world, she was a little thing, but in all the ways that mattered, including the effect she had on those who loved her, she lived a big life.”
Trixie was a highly intelligent, good-natured dog. She was so fastidious that she refused to go poop on the Koontz’s property. She seemed to have an other worldly dimension. Koontz describes several “spooky” moments with Trixie, but he begins his memoir with one that he says is central to her story. While playing with her one evening, he said, “You’re not just a dog. You can’t fool me. I know what you really are.”
“As if in response, she raised her head, eased back slightly, and regarded me with what might have been concern.
“You’re really an angel.”
Koontz continues, “To my surprise, she scrambled to her feet as if in alarm, ran down the hall, turned, and started back at me. Muscles tensed, legs spread for maximum balance….” It seemed to Koontz that Trixie had reacted to his words. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. She retreated from him further when he stood up and spoke her name. Like most dogs Trixie loved people, and this was the first and last time she ever retreated from him.
Trixie seemed to transcend conventional wisdom about dog behavior. She could express emotions, judge character and remember things. On one memorable occasion she even attempted to communicate in human language. On many occasions the Koontz’s were told that Trixie was special. Living with her restored Koontz’s sense of wonder and encouraged him to take risks in his writing that he would never have taken without her.
Written with self-deprecating humor, “a big little life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog” is more than just another dog book. Through Trixie’s life Koontz explores the spiritual dimension and wonder of life and the mystery of existence. Koontz’s memoir of his beloved Trixie is a very special book about a very special dog.
:: Go to Library Home ::
Scottsbluff Public Library :: 1809 Third Avenue :: Scottsbluff, NE 69361 :: 308-630-6250