It was a slow start, borderline animal abuse at time (Emme clearly didn't want to be in dog shows) but ended on a high note with love, dedication, compassion and strength. Easy to read, but a little self gloating and pretentious at times, but I feel like we can all be that way at times. Overall quick easy read but not one I'll be eagerly recommending to others.

This is such a charming little book! I loved hearing about Emme's antics and fun, loving heart - it's usually the smallest ones that have the biggest personality 🤣

This well written memoir is a beautiful dedication to Emme, and it's an honest testament to how a dog really is man's best friend!

Thank you netgalley for giving me the advanced pdf so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

As I read this I felt as if I was there right along with Rick and Emme. The love a good dog is immeasurable but every once in a while there is the love and loyalty of a dog whose intelligence and intuition are beyond compare. This is one of those times. Having this experience can only expand a person's life.

A truly enjoyable story of a pup named Emme and the effect she had on the lives of those who loved her most. If you're a fan of books about dogs, self-discovery or the outdoors, you'll enjoy this book!

I did receive an advanced review copy from NetGalley, and am thankful to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for it. However, the copy I received did have numerous design and editing issues that I hope were addressed before the final release of the book.

I downloaded an eARC from NetGalley. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

What I did NOT like at all was the lack of pictures that the book seemed to be full of. Honestly, the comparison of a dog's fur to a Rastafarian's dreadlocks and a mop put me off this book. I just couldn't continue with this book.

This book was very similar to another small dog/middle aged man hiking/mountain climbing life changing experience tale that I had previously read. This one didn’t have quite as much humor as the other one, but I did enjoy it and the last half of the book was much more fun than the first half.
I wanted to hear about the hiking with Emma, I didn’t quite get into the dog shows. Once the story took off with Rick and Emma’s hikes up the 14,000’rs my interest peaked. It was very interesting to read how his health issues impaired his abilities and how he did specific training to increase his stamina.
My husband and I hike, we are in our 60’s and we also take our canines. It was so funny when he mentioned how excited Emma gets, and he had to make sure and feed her first before he went to putting his hiking gear on, our dogs do the same thing. They love to ride in the car and hike the trails in central Missouri. We see Colorado in our future.
This is an uplifting story and does make you realize the need for passion in your life. I congratulate the author on his accomplishments he achieved, especially being in his age range. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I was given the opportunity to read an ARC from HCI Books and NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. This one comes in with 4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I will pretty much request most books that are about the attachment of people and their animals. I have read more books than I can count about the subject and it never gets old to me. I do have to admit that the first part of the book did not do as much for me as the second part. There are so many dogs that die in shelters everyday that I do have a problem with breeders sometimes...on the other hand, I also realize that there are many dogs that probably can only be gotten through a breeder. I personally have never even heard of this breed. The dog shows and the primping didn't do much for me either and I was honestly starting to wonder why they even gave this book the title they did if it was going to be about dog shows. Fortunately they did finally start hiking and we got to know Emme a little bit better as to who she actually is. She didn't seem to like dog shows anymore than I do. :) This dog was born to be outdoors and to be on the move. As I was actually born in Colorado, I have that connection with the book but I also never even tried even of the big mountains myself and moved away before I ever could. Emme AND her Dad are an inspiration in my mind. I am younger than the author so how can I ever use the words "I'm too old to do that?" He did it even when it might not be a good idea to do so.

What I did NOT like at all was that since this book was a digital arc, I did not get any of the pictures that the book seemed to be full of. Frankly, I feel a little bit ripped off. :) I was trying to look up pictures of what the author was talking about but I guess I will need to get it at the library when it comes out so I can actually see the pictures in the book. All in all, I would recommend this book to any other animal loving souls out there who love a good, inspiring story between a man and his best friend.

A heartwarming story of a couple whose live was changed by adding a dog to the mix. As someone getting close to retirement, and the thought of adding a pet or two, this book called to me. To be honest though, a couple of things turned me off. First off, when they decided on a dog, they searched for the breed to fit characteristics. I felt they were purchasing a car, instead of a pet. Not a fan of puppy mills or purebreds, sorry. Second, the humor, while at times funny, started to wear on me after awhile. I did enjoy the pups antics though, as it seems the smaller they are the more ferocious they are. Sadly though, dogs do not live that long. Would recommend, but wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

Absolutely heartwarming story of the love between man and our faithful companions. Such a fantastic story. for any animal lover and I highly recommend it.

I received this book from NetGalley and HCI books for an honest review.

Didn't make it through the entire book. IT just wasn't for me I guess. Others may really like it. I typically just don't review books that were not for me





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Such a heartwarming book. You get exactly what you expect in this one - and that isn't a bad thing. It's a well written memoir. There was even a part that had me chuckling out loud (about Starbucks). It's amazing how a little dog can be so adventurous!

What I loved most were all the photos! There are quite a lot and they're all very nice and really complement the story. Plus, I just love me some cute dog pictures.
I wont spoil anything about the end. It gave me some strong feelings.

I enjoyed reading the story of Rick and his dog, Emme. Emme certainly seemed to have a larger-than-life personality. A sweet story full of adventure - great for those who adore their pets and anyone who loves to explore the outdoors!

Thank you, HCI Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a heartwarming story of the relationship between a man and his beloved dog. I very much enjoyed the latter part of this book that focused on the hiking as Emme and I aren't real interested in the primping if dog shows that was the focus of the first part.
As a dog lover and fan of mountain hiking, I enjoyed this book

This is a wonderful book about the special bond between Emme, an Australian Terrier and her human, Rick Crandall. In his fifties and burnt out with his job, Crandall picks up his life and moves from Ann Arbor, MI to Aspen, CO. He remarries and his new wife promptly tells him she wants to get a dog. After much research, Emme is brought into their lives. With her strong personality and alpha-female attitude, she helps Crandall tackle hiking Colorado's mountains, including several 14-ers. If you love heartwarming dog stories, pick this one up!

Wonderful Memoir of Man and Dog
This is a warm and wonderful memoir about a man and his dog. Remarkably, the author has not fallen into the pitfalls of making the story about him or other people. This book is all about his dog and what she was to him. His love for this rascal of a terrier is evident on every page as she leads him through a section of life that can be very difficult. She helps him find new passions and a more true version of the meaning of life. Anyone who has ever deeply loved a dog is going to connect with this book. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

When Crandall was in his mid-fifties, his life changed. He was burnt out mentally, physically and spiritually. He had recently gotten divorced, his father had recently passed away and for health reasons he needed to leave Michigan and move some place sunnier. He met and married Pamela and moved to Colorado to start a new life there.

Pamela was an animal lover and they got Emme, an Australian terrier puppy in 2005. She was show dog quality but didn't enjoy it. Her passion, which she shared with Crandall, was hiking. Together they tackled many "fourteeners", which are peaks with altitudes higher than 14,000 feet. Emme led the way, pushing Crandall more than he thought possible.

This book details some of the hikes they took and the joy they had together until her death in 2015.

This was an okay read for those who love dogs and hiking. The author likes to include trivia information as asides throughout the book which some might find interesting (e.g. hiking safety tips, facts about different mountains in Colorado and so forth).

Personally, I found that it read like someone's diary; tenses frequently change mid paragraph, lots of repetition between chapters/entries, and several tangents from the main purpose.

This is the kind of book you want to take with you on holiday; you can read it by the pool or on the beach, it's slow paced with interesting facts scattered throughout, and you don't mind setting it down to experience your own adventures/ideas of fun.

A wonderful and touching book about the bond between a man and his dog. Once again we learn how wonderful dogs are and how they can improve our health and save our lives in so many ways. This book reminded me of another book called FOLLOWING ATTICUS. If you love dogs and want to better yourself, read this book for inspiration.

A funny, charming, heartfelt memoir of a man and the tiny dog who became his climbing companion. Reading Rick Crandall's book is like having a friend tell you a really great story, with lots of asides and tangents. He and Emme certainly had many adventures together. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting an Australian terrier after reading this book!

What a sweet story of a dog and her owner. I think every dog lover could relate to parts of this story. A man and his dog. The dog seems to understand the man. Such a cool way to bond with a dog. Loved the book.