Following Atticus—A Book Review

 Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship (and quite possibly the cutest cover ever) by Tom Ryan

The author is a sedentary, overweight, middle aged publisher of a local muckraking newspaper in Massachusetts. He is afraid of heights, sees demons in the dark and has a bout with Lyme disease…not someone you might expect to climb mountains.

All that changes when Atticus M. Finch, a miniature Schnauzer, comes into his life.

[I found it interesting that two books published recently both had the main dogs named after characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel over 50 years old: Scout (The Puppy Diaries) and Atticus Finch (Following Atticus)]

During a hike with his brothers into the mountains of New Hampshire, Tom discovers that Atticus is a natural mountain climber. At the peak he sits like a “little Buddha” gazing at the stunning view.

Following Atticus Tom returns to the mountains on a regular basis during that summer. When a friend dies of cancer, Tom decides that they will raise money for charity by climbing all forty-eight of the four thousand peaks, not once but twice, during the winter.

The two unlikely climbers become famous throughout the area as Atticus proves to be more adept than some of the climbers outfitted with the most expensive gear.

Atticus is a well mannered, social little dog who takes his fame in stride.

In one laugh out loud sequence Atticus is outfitted with muttluks and a little body suit to keep him warm. Convinced he cannot move in such an outfit, Atticus does his best imitation of a taxidermy dog. Only later when he is tricked into actually moving does he give in to wearing it.

Inspired by Atticus, Tom continues to challenge himself, always with one eye to the weather and the limitations of his little climbing partner in the snow.

Most dog books are concerned with training a dog (or putting up with the antics of an untrained dog.) Tom is not concerned with who is the alpha. Atticus is his friend. He doesn’t want to “train the Atticus out of Atticus.” What makes Atticus happy makes Tom happy.

Tom follows Atticus into challenges, achievements, and rewards in his life that he would never experience without the little Schnauzer.

There are some disquieting dog and human health sequences. But their mountain adventures are fun to follow for those of us who get altitude sickness on a stepladder and don’t like to venture out when the temperatures dip below 50 degrees.

 

Comments

[Lynne]

This sounds good. I'll have to look it up.

[Pamela]

What a terrific ad. I'm looking forward to reading this one.

And it's another big man who loves a little dog, isn't it?

[Stella]

What a wonderful little dog/master duo! Thanks for sharing the movie with us!

Kisses,
Stella

[jackie]

all I could think of was Annie in her little jacket someone gave her..it was made to look like a santa claus outfit..I put it on her and she just stood there...after about 15-20 seconds she just fell over on her side and refused to move..no leaning or laying down or bending her legs..just fell over like a plank of wood..still makes me laugh when I think of it..

[Jan]

That is what Atticus did..."I can no longer move"

[Kristine]

I remember hearing this story on an episode of Dogs 101. It was so inspiring! Atticus sounds like such a tenacious spirit. I am very glad Tom has now written a book and will have to look for it at my local store.

[Cindi Dejnozka]

One of the best books I have ever read! Reread a second time because I missed them so much!

[Linda Thacker]

A wonderful story of friendship and transformation! I appreciate my 4-footed friend all the more because of Tom and Atticus' relationship. Do not miss this book. Heartwarming and inspirational.

[Lynne O]

This was a great book. I recommend it to everyone!