The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 46 Summary & Analysis

Enzo says that that winter was especially hard for him, although he's unsure if it was the stairs, his hip dysplasia catching up, or if he was just tired of being a dog. He says he longed to shed his dog body and spent his days watching people outside, unable to greet or interact with them but wishing he could.

Enzo says that looking back, his state of mind attracted the car to him. It's snowing in the evening as he and Denny walk home from Volunteer Park, and Enzo is unsettled by the snow. Denny allows Enzo to walk unleashed, and Enzo loses track of Denny momentarily, ending up on the opposite side of an empty street. Denny calls for him and Enzo starts across the street. Denny suddenly screams for Enzo to wait, and then a car, hushed by the snow, hits Enzo.

Lying on the pavement, Enzo thinks of how stupid he is for wanting to become a man when he was just hit by a car. Denny tries to settle Enzo and speak with the driver, a shaken teenager. Denny asks the teenager to drive him and Enzo home. As Denny and Enzo sit in the back seat, Denny comforts Enzo and instructs the boy to drive.