Lily And The Octopus by Steven Rowley

 

Lily is a dachshund and is Ted's best friend in the world.  They have best friends since the day Ted brought her home from the breeder.  They have routines, daily activities and are each other's emotional support.  Ted is gay and his last relationship lasted several years but ultimately did not work out.  Since then, it's been him and Lily.

But one day, Ted wakes up and sees something on Lily's head.  At first he thinks it is a hallucination but it stays there and continues to grow.  He personalizes it to an octopus and he knows that it is here to take his Lily away.  She is getting older and the vet says they can try surgery but he can't really recommend it.  

Ted is determined to save Lily.  He starts a campaign to kill the octopus, taking the pair of them on a boat voyage to attack it in its natural environment.  Lily continues to be Lily but each day is a little weaker and a few more symptoms appear.

This is Steven Rowley's first book and most readers will be able to relate to it.  Most of us have had beloved pets and if we were lucky, saw them age.  Along with long life is the hardest decision in the pet world, when should we give our beloved friends a pain free exit from this life?  Rowley is an American author and has gone on to success with novels like The Guncle and others.  My favorite of his books is The Editor about working with Jacqueline Onassis when she worked in publishing but this one is much more emotional and hits home.  This book is recommended for all pet owners.