The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 28 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Denny and Enzo, unaware of Eve's passing, head to a dog park to play fetch. As Denny and Enzo play, Denny talks to himself, saying that they'll move Eve back home this week. Denny throws the ball far out into the lake and when Enzo returns with it, Denny is on his cell phone. He hangs up, says, "she's gone," and starts to cry.

Enzo, for the first time and the last time in his life, runs away from Denny. He runs through the park fence, looking for untamed wilderness as he experiences waves of sadness and anger. He finds the wilderness he's looking for and keeps running until he sees a squirrel. The squirrel fills Enzo with hatred, and it doesn't see Enzo in time. Enzo charges the squirrel and attacks it, breaking its back. Enzo proceeds to eat the squirrel, feeling as though he can't be human and feel the pain that humans feel. Eating the squirrel lets him feel like an animal again, and he notes that trying to live to human standards did nothing for Eve. After he finishes, he falls asleep in the bushes. Denny finds Enzo when he wakes, puts Enzo in the backseat of the car, and Enzo falls asleep. He dreams of chasing, catching, and killing crows.