Nothing Lasts Forever. Sidney Sheldon. India. Harper Collins. 1994.

Hospital stories are always fascinating to someone who had once dreamt of becoming a cardiologist. To see that dream through the eyes of a writer is akin to reliving that dream.

Sheldon writes of three beautiful women doctors trying to find their feet and working hard to be acknowledged for their work. I see in this book, not a mystery, not a crime, not a world of vendetta and mafia. I see in this book, an effort to peep into the psyche of women and to see how it works for them in a hospital as a woman doctor.

Sheldon shows that it is not always an easy task for a woman to break into a male domain. Difficulties in being accepted as an expert, in being appreciated for the quality of work, in making men see the intrinsic value of the professional skills are seen in the life of Dr Paige Taylor.  Even more difficult is the case of Dr Kat, a black woman, who sees in life, nothing but betrayal, abuse  and bitterness. Dr Honey Taft uses her feminine guile and charm to establish herself as a doctor and to compensate her lack of medical skills. 

Interwoven into this, is a crime and an ensuing trial. That makes it all the more interesting. A little heavy in treatment, especially the strand  that Sheldon weaves to show the plight of women doctors, the story is nevertheless, good reading , though not brilliant. 

The Dog Who Wouldn't be. Farley Mowat. New York. Pyramid House. 1957.

This is one heart warming story of a canine, Mutt, who is no ordinary dog. He is human in his actions...he thinks like one, say his owners. This dog loves climbing rock faces, cliffs, ladders and tree tops...only he cannot figure how to get down. 

He loves car rides across the prairie towns that his owners take him on, especially with his old fashioned aviator goggles. His escapades on fences with the neighbourhood cats running short of high places to 

escape from make for interesting reading. 

This dog loves cray fishing, teasing frogs and skunks. The adventure or rather the misadventure with these stinkers leads the reader to some real belly-shaking laughter. 

His sailor's instincts and sea-faring spirit that match those of his owners' are used to show that everybody makes mistakes - humans and dogs alike. The mudflat drives on boats, the venture on a boat to sail to the ocean from the middle of the prairie all make for the appealing picture of silliness coupled with the spirit of heroes.

What I really loved about the book is not only the narration laced with general doses of humour and a sense of wit, but also the seriousness with which this dog earns the love of his owners. 

What comes across immediately is the bond that develops between the boy and his pet...simple, trusting and fun loving; in it is the philosophy of life itself - that life is but a short journey that has to be enjoyed every moment in order to understand the beauty of it.

The last chapter is especially tenderly and lovingly told - as the boy traces his dog's footprints to every twig that he has played with, the butterflies that he chased, the chipmuks that he tried to tease out of their burrows and the final thud as a rash driver hits and runs...poignant in its simplicity, the tale's last chapter is the ending to the beautiful life of a zestful, curious and adventurous dog, who wouldn't be a dog.

This is a book to be resorted to, whenever one feels the weight of loneliness on beautiful spring days and warm summer evenings.