1stpita

Following Atticus is a story about an extraordinary hiking partnership between a schnauzer, Atticus, and his owner, Tom Ryan -- With Atticus, Tom Ryan hikes 48 high peaks, 4000 footers in winter yet, and in doing so discovers what life should be about. This is one book that has a unique storyline! Atticus is the only miniature schnauzer to do the 48 peaks in winter and he attempted to do them twice in the winter which is amazing.

I really liked that when they both arrived at the top of a peak they would dedicate the peak to someone who had cancer, passed away from cancer or was fighting cancer. Whenever they arrived at the top of a peak, Atticus, being unique, would also sit quietly and look at the view.

Tom's performance was easy to listen too and I enjoyed that he, the author, was the one telling the story.

Tom rescued

Even if my review is not the best since I have never really written one of these and I don't want to give too much of the story away, you should buy this book. You won't regret it if you love hiking, mountains, dogs and if you hate the rat race we all live in. Possibly it will inspire you to escape that race and take a chance to find what and who you really are.

I would recommend this audiobook to everyone. Not only does it raise awareness of what our veterans are going through while in Iraq but it also raises awareness of what most of them are going through when they return to the United States, reminiscent of what Vietnam veterans went through. It also raises awareness of how important service dogs are to disabled people. After reading this book people might understand this pairing of animal and human is not just a person and their pet but a necessary pairing of the two working together to become one working entity.

Both Tuesday and Luis brought the story together. It showed how Tuesday brought Luis out of the downward spiral he was in and the strong bond they have developed since they have been together. Tuesday made it possible for Luis to tell his story which is something that needed to be told in order to help him heal.

I was angered that there are so many people in the world who do not understand the need for a service dog to be with his/her partner. These dogs are highly important in helping their partner function in life and should never be excluded from any place while they are working.