If you love dogs, the mountains, or love stories, you must read. The book tells the story of Tom's personal journey ... His relationship with his dad, his brothers, his townie friends, his refound love of the White Mountains of New Hampshire (something we share), but most importantly his relationship with two special dogs: Maxwell Garrison Gillis and Atticus M Finch.

Atticus is the source, I think, of a sort of rebirth for Tom as they share adventures and heartbreaking moments on and off mountain. I read it in a weekend -- a luxury of Vermont holidays. I cried and it made me happy and inspired. The same pull that Tom feels towards the mountains and the "soul work" that Atticus accomplishes at each summit are emotions I completely understand.  I might not have a year and a half ago --before Kitty and her trauma -- but now I completely get it.

It is truly an uplifting story on the transformative power of animals in our lives. I hope you read the book or their blog and I hope to see them on the trail some day.