Donald McCaig delves into the mind of man’s best friend and humanizes their lives and challenges with his powerful novel, Nop’s Trials. Due in part to his own commitment to his animals, the level of depth to the animals in McCaig’s novels is not often seen in literature, especially when it comes to the relationship between humans and animals.
Nop is a talented sheepdog in the Virginia countryside who excels in competitive trials as well as in his duties on the farm. He’s farmer Lewis’s most trusted companion, but his talents threaten his safety when he is stolen by two criminals looking for a major payday. Refusing to accept that he will never see Nop again, Lewis sets out to find his beloved companion. Nop’s loyalty is unwavering as well, but in order to survive he adapts to his new life of brutality and abuse. Despite the separate outlooks of man and dog, their commitment to each other only strengthens their bond and continues to drive them back together.
In this excerpt, McCaig compares the differing perspectives of Nop and Lewis as they struggle to deal with their split:
Throughout the long nights, Nop lived in his dreams. He dreamt of woolies, of the Stink Dog, of thrilling outruns on lovely foggy mornings. He dreamt about Sourball and whimpered and his legs jerked in his sleep. Nop accepted what the world had to offer. He didn’t have to like it, but he wouldn’t pine away.
Lewis Burkholder was less realistic than his dog. Though his reward posters (LOST DOG $500) had tattered and blown off the telephone poles, though local storekeepers had tacked more recent announcements of church socials and yard sales over Nop’s photograph, Lewis wouldn’t stop looking.
Not just for the animal lover, McCaig’s novels are a testament to the power of loyalty and will. He continues to explore these themes in his sequel, Nop’s Hopesand the autobiographical Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men. For more information on Donald McCaig and his novels, visit his author page here.