‘Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship’

Deciding to pay tribute to a friend who died of cancer, during the winter of 2006-2007, Tom Ryan raises money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by setting out to climb all 48 of New Hampshire's 48 4,000-foot peaks twice in the 90 days of winter. What awaits Tom and his miniature schnauzer, Atticus, is the challenge of a lifetime. Following Atticus focuses on a remarkable relationship that blurs the line between two species and follows two friends for hundreds of miles in a rare test of endurance. However, their greatest challenge awaits them within a month of returning home, when Atticus loses his sight and blood tests point towards something worse-cancer.

Following Atticus is the heartfelt story of a man and a dog dedicating themselves to a quest greater than either has ever dreamed of. It's about a little dog capturing the hearts of thousands and a community coming together to support him during his darkest days; and ultimately it is a map that leads a man back to himself.

--Boston Globe