Travels with Charley

I don't read much Steinbeck, but when this book turned up in the pile of old-books-that-mom-doesn't-want-anymore, I couldn't resist it. It's John Steinbeck's true account of the time that he packed himself and his dog into a custom-built pickup camper and took about three months driving all over the US. As this is an activity I enjoy participating in quite a bit myself (minus the custom built comfort, substitute a teeny tiny car) I had to find out what the literary genius thought of the road. Would he have inspiring insights for my next trip? Did he think that the big ol' US of A is as great as I do? Would his fabulous journey render my silly little jaunts completely inconsequential?

Yep, yep, and nope. This book was devoid of the usual "literary genius" that laces Steinbeck's work. It may have been a bestseller, but no English teachers are assigning it for mandatory reading. It lacks that artistry and poetic prose that marks Steinbeck's greater known novels. Probably why I liked it so much.

As fun as it was for me to read Steinbeck's thoughts on many, many places I either knew well or have visited or have always wanted to visit, I admit to reading the book because I was intrigued by a person who hopped in the car with just a dog for company. Most people know I'm a little quirky about my dog, too, so this was fun for me to find a kindred spirit. But buried in those pages I found what I was looking for: just a little bit of validation.

Page 138: "Charley is no more like a dog than he is like a cat. His perceptions are sharp and delicate and he is a mind-reader. I don't know that he can read the thoughts of other dogs,but he can read mine. Before a plan is half-formed in my mind, Charley knows about it, and he also knows whether he is to be included in it. There's no question about this. I know too well his look of dispair and disapproval when I have just thought that he must be left at home."

Ah HA!! Validation!!! I am not imagining it! There are certain dogs who walk this earth who just have it. They got it: these dogs can read human minds and understand human words and communicate human emotions through eerily human expressions. And anyone who knows my dog Caleb knows... he's one of THEM. These strange breed of dogs that are either humans reincarnate or aliens deposited on earth contriving to one day take over our pathetic little species. Caleb can take one look at me in the morning (before I have raised my head from my pillow) and predict exactly what's going to happen to him for the next 16 hours. He can tell if his favorite massage client is coming over by the type of music I turn on. He knows whose house I've snuck off to visit without him and punishes me with his childish pouts when I come back home. This dog can tell exactly what I'm thinking and communicates his thoughts just as clearly as he reads mine.

It can be sort of disconcerting, actually... you get used to the idea of a dog as just this little furry accessory for a family. But just when you think he's some innocent dumb animal, you catch a glare from this creature in the corner and you realize you're looking at... something... that is more than just a cute furry face. He's taking you apart with his eyes. (And let me tell you, there are some moments where you really wish you had a little privacy instead of some strange dog with a voyeuristic attitude and narcissism complex boring into your soul.)

And it's not just me. Everyone who meets this dog says the same thing- he's one of a kind: He's definitely got more person-ality than dog-ness to him. We think it might be the eyebrows... Ah, Caleb. To know him is to love him.