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Waiting for Peter
The day is almost boiling hot. I lay on the hot pavement of the driveway, my ears pricked forward, my eyes attentive, my heart racing—not only from the heat, but from hope. Perhaps this will be the day he returns... Peter is a young teen who is emotionally and physically scarred following a tragic accident. Hoping to find a way to help Peter reconnect with his family, his mother, Lanie, agrees to let him adopt a dog from the Humane Society. So begins the relationship between Peter and his neurotic mutt, Sunny. Told from the alternating points of view of Sunny and Lanie, Waiting for Peter is the story of the healing power of love between a boy and his dog and an analogy of how we should view our relationship with God, our Master. ELIZABETH MUSSER, an Atlanta native and the bestselling author of The Swan House, is a novelist who writes what she calls ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet outside Lyon, France. For over twenty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions work with International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
26 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Musser
42 books694 followersELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and Parable and ECPA bestseller and was a finalist for the 2023 Christy Award.
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 15, 2020
This story will touch your heart. It is well written about the loyalty of a dog. If you are a dog lover, you will like this story. An easy read, but a tear dropper. Beautifully written and a little pearl amongst other books.
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February 2, 2021I almost blubbered through the last pages of this story. I definitely had to stop several times to wipe away the tears, and I still have a knot in my throat as I write this review.
The heart-touching story is told from the dual points of view of Peter's mom and Peter's dog Sunny. The reader experiences that special bond between a human and his/her dog and also what it means to be a mother as she watches her child/children grow up and spread their wings, leaving her behind. And the elements of faith included are quite beautiful.
The heart-touching story is told from the dual points of view of Peter's mom and Peter's dog Sunny. The reader experiences that special bond between a human and his/her dog and also what it means to be a mother as she watches her child/children grow up and spread their wings, leaving her behind. And the elements of faith included are quite beautiful.
March 7, 2023
Het boek is hartverwarmend. Het laat zien dat de vriendschap tussen een jongen en een hond zo sterk kan zijn, dat Peter zijn verleden weet te overwinnen. Ik vond het erg leuk dat de hoofdstukken om en om vanuit het perspectief van de hond en van Peters moeder geschreven is. Het boek heeft echt een diepere boodschap, als Peters moeder diepgaande lessen leert van Sunny, de hond, over leven met God en vertrouwen op God. Kortom: het raakt je hart!
December 14, 2017
I’m not normally drawn to animal stories. They’re often designed to be heartwarming – and my heart needs warming as much as anyone else’s – but I find myself perversely resistant to stories that I know upfront are going for that effect. Or they’re sad, sometimes while simultaneously being heartwarming. One son shared a quote with me something to the effect that getting a dog is an investment in a small tragedy. Because they live a much shorter time than humans, generally, we’re going to have to deal with their deaths.
So I don’t think I would normally have picked up the novella Waiting for Peter except that I really like Elizabeth Musser. This is a short book: only 90 pages. And it’s heartwarming and sad. But it’s good.
The story is about a boy named Peter who was in an accident that took the life of his friend and left Peter with severe injuries. He survives with nothing worse than a limp physically, but his confidence is shattered. His whole world has been shaken up and nothing is the same. His parents decide to let him choose a dog to try to help him, and Peter finds one who seems a little sickly and neurotic, but responds to him.
Dog and boy grow up together. They have adventures and Peter learns to extend himself (talking to strangers when not naturally prone to, etc.). Mom has to deal with the messes, chewed up household items, etc., but likes how dog and boy are both developing. When she deals with her own midlife issues – physical changes, aloof daughter, emptying nest – the dog becomes her companion, too.
The back of the book says, in addition to the book being about “the healing power of love between a boy and his dog,” it is also an “allegory of how we should view our relationship with God, our Master.” Those parts were a little more…not didactic, exactly, but more direct, more like one would see in a devotional than in fiction. That’s not characteristic of Musser, but maybe because the book was so short, there wasn’t space to develop it like one would in a novel. Or maybe she meant it exactly like she wrote in order to make the points she made. I’m not criticizing it or saying it’s bad – it’s just different from how she usually writes.
The story is told alternately from the points of view of the mom, Lanie, and the dog…the latter of which could be a little tricky, but it was kind of fun reading Sunny’s “thoughts.”
There is not a forward or afterward, so I don’t know if the story is based on one from the author’s life (although on her author’s page she does mention having a neurotic dog).
Overall, though not my usual cup of tea, I enjoyed it.
So I don’t think I would normally have picked up the novella Waiting for Peter except that I really like Elizabeth Musser. This is a short book: only 90 pages. And it’s heartwarming and sad. But it’s good.
The story is about a boy named Peter who was in an accident that took the life of his friend and left Peter with severe injuries. He survives with nothing worse than a limp physically, but his confidence is shattered. His whole world has been shaken up and nothing is the same. His parents decide to let him choose a dog to try to help him, and Peter finds one who seems a little sickly and neurotic, but responds to him.
Dog and boy grow up together. They have adventures and Peter learns to extend himself (talking to strangers when not naturally prone to, etc.). Mom has to deal with the messes, chewed up household items, etc., but likes how dog and boy are both developing. When she deals with her own midlife issues – physical changes, aloof daughter, emptying nest – the dog becomes her companion, too.
The back of the book says, in addition to the book being about “the healing power of love between a boy and his dog,” it is also an “allegory of how we should view our relationship with God, our Master.” Those parts were a little more…not didactic, exactly, but more direct, more like one would see in a devotional than in fiction. That’s not characteristic of Musser, but maybe because the book was so short, there wasn’t space to develop it like one would in a novel. Or maybe she meant it exactly like she wrote in order to make the points she made. I’m not criticizing it or saying it’s bad – it’s just different from how she usually writes.
The story is told alternately from the points of view of the mom, Lanie, and the dog…the latter of which could be a little tricky, but it was kind of fun reading Sunny’s “thoughts.”
There is not a forward or afterward, so I don’t know if the story is based on one from the author’s life (although on her author’s page she does mention having a neurotic dog).
Overall, though not my usual cup of tea, I enjoyed it.
March 10, 2016
This book was received free from a Goodreads giveaway contest.
Overall I enjoy the story, and liked the alternating perspective (one chapter from the mother's perspective and the next from the dog's). As a shorter read, the pacing was interesting as each chapter was only a page or two, so the story progressed quickly. It almost had a feel of someone going through a photo album and giving 2-3 minutes justice to each memory.
The only aspect of the story I found a bit difficult was how the author tied in her religious devotion. For a tender thoughtful book, I felt her faith could have been woven a little more gently into the fabric of the tale, rather than somewhat abruptly added in at the end of many chapters. Not a major item, but just felt that it detracted from the flow of the book.
If you've ever had a dog as a member of your family, this will appeal to you.
Overall I enjoy the story, and liked the alternating perspective (one chapter from the mother's perspective and the next from the dog's). As a shorter read, the pacing was interesting as each chapter was only a page or two, so the story progressed quickly. It almost had a feel of someone going through a photo album and giving 2-3 minutes justice to each memory.
The only aspect of the story I found a bit difficult was how the author tied in her religious devotion. For a tender thoughtful book, I felt her faith could have been woven a little more gently into the fabric of the tale, rather than somewhat abruptly added in at the end of many chapters. Not a major item, but just felt that it detracted from the flow of the book.
If you've ever had a dog as a member of your family, this will appeal to you.
November 9, 2017
A absolute must read for 1)any dog lover and 2)any empty nester. This is a beautiful novella about a special dog and his family. Deeply touching and beautifully written. Delightful and tender.
February 11, 2018
A very touching story written from both the dog's point of view and the mother of the dog's owner. Have your tissues handy - you WILL cry!
November 8, 2018
I loved this book and will keep it for a reread . The story is told by a boy's dog and by the boy's mother. Sunny is a rescue dog and Peter gets me when he is 12. Sunny is still a puppy. And we read about their growing up together through both the mother's story and from Sunny's story. It is a novella which I don't usually read . I was so surprised how how much the author put into 90 pages.
Most reviews I read warned me that it was a book that would touch my heart. Well, it did not touch my heart, it reached in and grabbed my heart from page one and did not let go until the last page. Actually I think this book is still holding on to my heart. I cried for all 90 pages of this book. It is beautiful and inspiring . A must read for any dog loved
Most reviews I read warned me that it was a book that would touch my heart. Well, it did not touch my heart, it reached in and grabbed my heart from page one and did not let go until the last page. Actually I think this book is still holding on to my heart. I cried for all 90 pages of this book. It is beautiful and inspiring . A must read for any dog loved
June 7, 2019
If you're a dog lover, keep the tissues handy for this short novel. A beautiful story of how a dog's life is saved, the bonding between a boy and the dog, and the dog returns the favor. But it's also told from the mother's POV so we get to see bits of how the dog teaches her about her relationship with God--little bits that are not preachy. Having gone through a somewhat similar situation with our Golden, I really identified with a lot of things in this book. I found it very enjoyable, even if I did need to quit reading to wipe the tears and blow the nose!
June 30, 2022
Heartwatming
A truer than life story of love between a boy and his dog. You find yourself laughing and crying as you go along. Truly a story you can't miss. I give it 10 stars.
A truer than life story of love between a boy and his dog. You find yourself laughing and crying as you go along. Truly a story you can't miss. I give it 10 stars.
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September 9, 2022Tear-jerker
September 12, 2022
I was sad to finish this book and actually almost finished and waited a day to finish. It is as sweet a dog story as I’ve ever read.
February 24, 2023
A short story but one that grabs your heart!
March 6, 2023
This book had me sobbing. I keep reading it, really recommend it.
March 28, 2023
Mooi verhaal over de band tussen een jongen en zijn hond!
June 25, 2023
Beautiful memoir to the impact that dogs have on us and how God can use any creature to draw us closer to Himself!
September 22, 2025
Niet helemaal mijn schrijfstijl maar staan wel erg mooie lessen in wat je kunt leren van een hond over het geloof in en relatie met God
July 2, 2025
Such a sweet story even though I am not a pet person. This author is one of my favorites.
April 2, 2016
From the moment I read the first paragraph of this book, I was hooked. I loved the fact that the author included the point of view of Sunny the dog. So often we focus on how WE feel having a dog, but never stop to think what it means to the dog to have a family. The author makes you look into yourself and shifts your focus to more meaningful, important things.
Being a proud owner of a rescue dog myself, I find comfort knowing I have helped my little dog out. Reading this book made me think about how thankful and appreciative she is to have a home and not to worry about food, shelter, or love. The dedication and commitment that a dog shows to it's family is a lesson that all of us should learn from. Do we show that same dedication and commitment to the ones we love?
Although this book has many references to God, it isn't a "religious" book. I feel that it is more of a spiritual book and it teaches us all a lesson in life and love. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I could not put this book down, and it gave me food for thought that I pondered long after I put the book down.
Being a proud owner of a rescue dog myself, I find comfort knowing I have helped my little dog out. Reading this book made me think about how thankful and appreciative she is to have a home and not to worry about food, shelter, or love. The dedication and commitment that a dog shows to it's family is a lesson that all of us should learn from. Do we show that same dedication and commitment to the ones we love?
Although this book has many references to God, it isn't a "religious" book. I feel that it is more of a spiritual book and it teaches us all a lesson in life and love. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I could not put this book down, and it gave me food for thought that I pondered long after I put the book down.
April 4, 2016
I won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway. I suppose from the beginning I'd an idea what way it would end - not always a good thing in a book. However, this book is a real gem. I was shocked at how it sucked me in emotionally and, for what seemed such a simple storyline, how much depth and feeling was in it. Hey - I'm a big guy - no softie going to blubber at a little book..... but, as Sunny would say, there was liquid on the face as it approached the final pages. A little gem of a book. Anyone whose ever had a loyal pet will love this - and anyone who hasn't had a loyal dog will want one tomorrow. Well done Elizabeth Musser - you wrote a beauty.
May 16, 2012
Jeetje dat een klein boekje je zo kan aangrijpen zeg...
Ben je een dieren liefhebber dan moet je dit boekje zeker lezen.
Het word prachtig geschreven vanuit de gevoelens van Sunny(de hond)en vanuit de moeder van Peter,erg apart maar geweldig goed gedaan.
Ik wilde de laatste hoofdstukken snel door lezen maar dat ging echt niet,omdat ik gewoon niks meer zag door de tranen die niet wilde stoppen.
Aanrader
Ben je een dieren liefhebber dan moet je dit boekje zeker lezen.
Het word prachtig geschreven vanuit de gevoelens van Sunny(de hond)en vanuit de moeder van Peter,erg apart maar geweldig goed gedaan.
Ik wilde de laatste hoofdstukken snel door lezen maar dat ging echt niet,omdat ik gewoon niks meer zag door de tranen die niet wilde stoppen.
Aanrader
May 21, 2012
Wat een prachtig pareltje, dit boekje. Het leek wel alsof ik in een film beland was. Ontzettend knap van Elizabeth Musser om in zo'n klein boekje zo'n groot verhaal te schrijven. Vanaf de allereerste bladzijde was ik geboeid tot aan het eind toe. Dit zal me nog lang na blijven. Voor dierenliefhebbers zeker een must om te lezen!
May 30, 2012
Prachtig boekje over een hond en zijn baasje en hun onderlinge liefde voor elkaar!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews