Tapka

I really enjoyed this story.  I thought the story was going to be more of a detailed explanation of this Russian family's struggles as they adjust to life in Toronto, Canada; however, the story diverges from the story of the family to the story of the dog, Tapka.  Tapka, the dog of the Nahumovskys, is a beloved part of Rita and Misha's lives.  Originally, the perspective of the son (the narrator) focuses on the transition, however his perspective switches to Tapka. The narrator is the only one in his family who likes Tapka.  One aspect I really enjoyed about this story is the feeling the reader can obtain towards Tapka.  On one side, I think anyone can relate to loving some kind of animal, and most people can probably say they are dog lovers.  However, the wording about the narrator's mother's attitude toward Tapka allows the reader to find the dog to be drab.  They author writes, "They were simple people.  Rita had never attended a university. She could derive contentment from talking to a dog, brushing its coat, putting ribbons in its hair, and repeatedly throwing a rag clown across the apartment...they were good people, but a dog ruled their lives."  After reading this part, I personally felt bogged down.  I no longer thought very highly of a dog.  It makes you feel like a dog is too much work and not worth the effort, unless you're uneducated and have nothing better to do.  Then, you see the excitement of being around a dog as the narrator explains his visits to the Nahumovskys'.  The narrator states, "When I inserted the key into the lock I felt emanations of love through the door."  As the reader, it created an excitement inside me as I read.  Although this was only part of the overall story, this really stood out to me.