Steven Rowley's novel LILY and the Octopus-Man's Deep Love for His Dog

I feel a little bait switch on the mood this book seemed to offer.  I anticipated a joyful, light read led by the unwavering love between a man and his dog.  In many ways, the book delivers on the immeasurable and unconditional devotion that forms between people and "people's best friends;" dogs.  But in this hard to put down story, Ted, a single, gay writer's love for his dog Lily does not extend inward.  Ted's affection and care for Lily, a 12 year old dachshund is endearing but Ted's emotional well being is unstable and his touch on reality are way out of sync.  Yet, there is much comic relief and heart proffered from Ted's sessions with his therapist and his weekly social activities revolve around his evenings spent solely with Lily.  These scheduled events include ordering pizza, playing monopoly and movie night.  The ongoing banter between Ted and Lily feels all too real and lively stemming from both.  Credit Rowley's crafty writing for being so convincing as to concede Ted and Lily have truly mastered telepathic communication and for considering the "octopus" on Lily's head possesses animate traits with a malicious vendetta against Lily.  We hold equal admiration for Ted's doting concern along with growing alarm at his encroaching dottiness.   Ted considers, "I too am suffering from the presence of the octopus, seizures in reason.  My thoughts of late have resembled those of a small child more than the thinking of a grown man."  One of the most beguiling and surreal sequences in the book takes place aboard a sea vessel Ted rented with the intent to confront and annihilate the octopus whose been sucking the life out of Lily.  Comparisons to the tear jerker, "Racing in the Rain" with an all-knowing and beloved family dog with dog's sevenfold shortened life expectancy.  Rowley pulls our heartstrings with grief shrouding the story and then digs deeper by underlying a decision many dog owners eventually face.  The bare bones uncovered from what transpires with living and loving one's dog are priceless gems.  Ted said, "I am thankful for Lily, who, since she entered my life, has taught me everything I know about patience and kindness and meeting adversity with quiet dignity and grace."  LILY and the OCTOPUS is a book of magical thinking plus a profound reflection on grief and lessons gleaned from dogs. "People describe grief in different ways.  I'd say it's a temporary derangement."  "Grief is a pathological condition.  It's just that so many of us go through it in life that we never think to treat it as such."  Ted is cognizant of dogs' boundless capacity for living and loving.  "Dogs live in the present.  Because dogs don't hold grudges.  Because dogs let go of all their anger daily, hourly, and never let it fester.  They absolve and forgive with each passing minute."  LILY and the OCTOPUS is highly recommended reading knowing you'll uncover much wisdom and in much wisdom comes much sorrow.