There's an Irish Wolfhound named Dante in Sight Hound who has cancer, but this is not a book about a dog who has cancer. I'm very sensitive to the treatment of animals, and I really hate it when an animal is used as a device to play with my emotions, but this book doesn't do that. When you hear the description, you may think it sounds like a sappy animal story, but I assure you, that's not what it is, either. In fact, it can be quite gritty. What this book is about is a woman named Rae and her journey toward love and self acceptance.
As you read this book, you get to hear from all the characters, including the animals (Rae has another dog and a cat). But again, this is not done in a cutesy way. Dante quotes Buddha and Lao-tzu, and is truly wise. His mission (this time around) is to teach Rae that it is alright to hope, and to find her a human who will love her after he is gone. Rae and Dante have a deep effect on everyone around them, and each has a chance to speak. All of this takes place for the most part on Rae's Colorado ranch, a beautiful setting that changes with the tide of the story and the emotions of the characters.
If you have ever found it difficult to love yourself, or easy to love a dog, try Sight Hound by Pam Houston.
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