I casually came across the book Thank DoG, and it caught my attention for several reasons.

The Name: The first was its title. At a glance, one has to pause and reread to ensure it says Dog and not God. With both “D” and “G” capitalized, the title cleverly leaves room for both readings.

Surgeon and patient as co- authors: The second reason was its authorship. The book is co-written by an English Asst Professor in a college, already a proven writer both on and offline, and a doctor making his debut in writing. Together, they narrate the same medical episode from two different perspectives: the patient and the doctor. Two sides of the same coin, two voices, and ends in a dialogue between the two.

Dialogue between the co-authours: The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents the patient’s side of the story, Part 2 offers the doctor’s perspective, and Part 3 narrates how the book itself came into being. The third part stands out because it showcases the evolving communication between the professor/patient and the doctor. Initially, the professor requested the doctor to write an “Afterword.” Mistaking the term, the doctor ended up writing his full account. The professor, moved by the effort and honesty, decided to include it as part of the book, thus the doctor became a co-author. The book ends with an agreement between them to re-narrate the episode in Malayalam. In this sense, the dog’s accident played a God-like role in unearthing the writer hidden within the doctor. Fittingly, the cover illustration depicts the dog with a halo.

Though the accident caused by the stray dog, and the surgeries that followed, were neither fatal nor life-threatening, the manner in which both sides narrate them is captivating. The professor brings her professional polish and incisive storytelling, while the doctor, in his maiden attempt, surprises with his candid, heartfelt narration, interwoven with his philosophies of life.

Music in the OT: What makes the narration of the medical procedure stand out is an element that could be seen, depending on one’s perspective, as weird, intriguing, outstanding, different, or even unique: the music playing in the operating theatre (OT) during surgery. Instead of the sterile silence one might expect, the room resonates with yesteryear Malayalam semi-classical film songs—apparently the surgeon’s favourites—sometimes even sung along to by the doctor himself.

The patient, a professor, takes special note of this detail, even recalling the songs by their singers, lyricists, music directors, and the ragas they were set in. The music acted as a soothing backdrop, easing her tension, anxiety, and stress. In fact, music became a subtle bond between the surgeon and the patient. For the surgeon, the familiar melodies offered relaxation and focus, while for the patient, an appreciative and knowledgeable musician, they provided comfort and distraction from the complexity of the procedure.

Yet, one question lingers: would all patients welcome such music as a source of relief, or might some find it an irritant?

Visuals: good and bad: While the cover is striking, the illustrations in the book are redundant and reduce the overall quality of the publication. The photos included could have been of better quality.

Publicity and PR: The book serves as a publicity for the hospital, which has become staple for healthcare institutions run by corporates or religious organisations. It was the public relations gesture, acknowledged by the hospital that felicitated the professor / patient when she first shared serial posts of the incident on social media that eventually grew into this co-authored book.

The book highlights an important truth: writers like this professor amplify and immortalize the services of doctors and healthcare institutions. But we cannot forget the fact that many other patients, equally appreciative, express their gratitude and appreciation only through word of mouth, an influence often more genuine and lasting than that of curated social media influencers. Every patient, in this sense, is a potential influencer.

A writer discovered: The doctor’s writing, meanwhile, reveals pent-up emotions and reflections from a professional seldom seen in print. One can only wish more doctors and other professionals would share their inner worlds in such a manner.

For that, we truly have to thank the dog, for being the unlikely catalyst of this book.