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Procházky s Peetym: Pes, který mi zachránil život
Laskavé a inspirativní povídání o tom, jak jeden opuštěný obézní pejsek z útulku pomohl jednomu opuštěnému obéznímu muži středního věku začít nový život a opět najít štěstí. Autor líčí svou pohnutou životní pouť od složitého dětství, které částečně prožil na ulici, přes raketový vzestup úspěšného právníka, jenž si svůj hektický životní styl udržuje pomocí drog, až po pracovní i osobní pád. Ve chvíli, kdy se propadá na dno deprese a zvažuje sebevraždu, objeví se nečekaná pomoc. Společně s Peetym se vydávají za dobrodružstvím, které je zavede na novou životní cestu.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
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1710 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
October 10, 2017
A picture expresses many words. In the middle of Eric’s book, “Walking with Peety,
are several pages of colored photos.....vibrant wonderful photos- but one of those photos looks like the type of before and after - extraordinary weight loss photo we’ve seen on covers of People Magazine.
Eric’s medical doctor suggested he purchase a funeral plot, because he would most likely need one within 5 years unless he lost weight and got his chronic health conditions under control. He was 51 years of age at the time spending well over a $1,000 a month on medications. He had been obese for over 30 years weighing 340 pounds before he met weekly with a nutritionist who consulted him on how to follow a plant-base lifestyle.
What’s a ‘litttle’ funny is that at the time Eric was an outdoor salesman for appliances- but never turned on his own stove. Instead of mastering the art of cooking, he mastered the art of “window dinning”: drive through fast food restaurants— the pizzas or burgers were passed through the window.
On the very first visit that Eric had with his nutritionist - telling him that his weight was only a symptom- and she was more interested in treating ‘him’....Eric. She wanted to treat the whole person to get at the root cause of any ailment he might have, including his weight. Eric left that first appointment- around 90 minutes - with a beginning plan for the next 6 months. She told him to get a dog! Is that nutritionist cool or wha?/! He had never owned one EVER! The story - journey is really engaging and enjoyable to read about when Eric first gets Raider.....*Peety* -he changed his name - from the animal shelter—�- it’s absolutely a moving story. The slow building of trust between Eric and Peety to real profound love clearly made a difference in Eric’s transformation.
After some time goes by - and Eric had lost some weight - he says:
“The weight loss I’d experienced so far felt miraculously easy. My walks with Peety had turned into many adventures that simply made my life more interesting and interactive with the world, and the foods I ate were more delicious than foods I’ve ever eaten in my life. Plus, I could eat as much as I wanted. I could eat until I felt full, and yet I no longer got that tired and felt like napping after every meal. On a daily basis I woke up in the morning after a good nights sleep and felt ready to stand up and start my day. And I did so with less and less pain every week”.
Eric wasn’t the only one who had an increased quality of life. Peety who had been abused, abandoned, and overweight became a much happier dog- also returned to normal weight - and was deeply loved by Eric.
I met Eric around 5 years ago: thin - fit - a vegan. He wasn’t dating yet. He was getting ready - nerves were activated. Always a wonderful guy - we talked about what was next for him - and even his first few dates -and how that was going - and running- he was enjoying running.
He came to a book reading one night. Eric was interested in everything since having lost weight. I adored this guy-but (as Eric knows) he was starting to drive me crazy. He sounded so ‘obsessed’ (really just VERY PASSIONATE) - about his plant food diet and ‘attractive’ girls. I thought he was pushing his food choices too hard - and that he was becoming a little shallow.... but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. He’s clear of what works for him... but that new ‘over-zealous’ excited energy he had years ago —� it’s still there - but with balance -maturity - and he has earned the role leadership in the field of optimal weight and health —� and dog’s like Peety are part of an equation of health and well being!
There isn’t ANYBODY Eric wouldn’t offer a sincere helping hand - and you tell me - what’s a more inspiring job in life - an outdoor appliance salesman with no friends - isolating - physically in pain - chronic health conditions -
or
an inspirational speaker who’s happily married - passionate about his wife- kindness to animals - gourmet plant-based cooking - long distance running....
whose life’s purpose is helping others reverse obesity and type 2 diabetics.
Congratulations Eric!
We still love the great gift you gave us.... wrapped in a huge box with a big red bow:
Our Vitamix is still getting lots of use! Thanks again.... and thanks for sending me your book. A pure joy —� I couldn’t be happier for you - and Paul and I are coming to Seattle next July- perhaps we will have time to visit.
are several pages of colored photos.....vibrant wonderful photos- but one of those photos looks like the type of before and after - extraordinary weight loss photo we’ve seen on covers of People Magazine.
Eric’s medical doctor suggested he purchase a funeral plot, because he would most likely need one within 5 years unless he lost weight and got his chronic health conditions under control. He was 51 years of age at the time spending well over a $1,000 a month on medications. He had been obese for over 30 years weighing 340 pounds before he met weekly with a nutritionist who consulted him on how to follow a plant-base lifestyle.
What’s a ‘litttle’ funny is that at the time Eric was an outdoor salesman for appliances- but never turned on his own stove. Instead of mastering the art of cooking, he mastered the art of “window dinning”: drive through fast food restaurants— the pizzas or burgers were passed through the window.
On the very first visit that Eric had with his nutritionist - telling him that his weight was only a symptom- and she was more interested in treating ‘him’....Eric. She wanted to treat the whole person to get at the root cause of any ailment he might have, including his weight. Eric left that first appointment- around 90 minutes - with a beginning plan for the next 6 months. She told him to get a dog! Is that nutritionist cool or wha?/! He had never owned one EVER! The story - journey is really engaging and enjoyable to read about when Eric first gets Raider.....*Peety* -he changed his name - from the animal shelter—�- it’s absolutely a moving story. The slow building of trust between Eric and Peety to real profound love clearly made a difference in Eric’s transformation.
After some time goes by - and Eric had lost some weight - he says:
“The weight loss I’d experienced so far felt miraculously easy. My walks with Peety had turned into many adventures that simply made my life more interesting and interactive with the world, and the foods I ate were more delicious than foods I’ve ever eaten in my life. Plus, I could eat as much as I wanted. I could eat until I felt full, and yet I no longer got that tired and felt like napping after every meal. On a daily basis I woke up in the morning after a good nights sleep and felt ready to stand up and start my day. And I did so with less and less pain every week”.
Eric wasn’t the only one who had an increased quality of life. Peety who had been abused, abandoned, and overweight became a much happier dog- also returned to normal weight - and was deeply loved by Eric.
I met Eric around 5 years ago: thin - fit - a vegan. He wasn’t dating yet. He was getting ready - nerves were activated. Always a wonderful guy - we talked about what was next for him - and even his first few dates -and how that was going - and running- he was enjoying running.
He came to a book reading one night. Eric was interested in everything since having lost weight. I adored this guy-but (as Eric knows) he was starting to drive me crazy. He sounded so ‘obsessed’ (really just VERY PASSIONATE) - about his plant food diet and ‘attractive’ girls. I thought he was pushing his food choices too hard - and that he was becoming a little shallow.... but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. He’s clear of what works for him... but that new ‘over-zealous’ excited energy he had years ago —� it’s still there - but with balance -maturity - and he has earned the role leadership in the field of optimal weight and health —� and dog’s like Peety are part of an equation of health and well being!
There isn’t ANYBODY Eric wouldn’t offer a sincere helping hand - and you tell me - what’s a more inspiring job in life - an outdoor appliance salesman with no friends - isolating - physically in pain - chronic health conditions -
or
an inspirational speaker who’s happily married - passionate about his wife- kindness to animals - gourmet plant-based cooking - long distance running....
whose life’s purpose is helping others reverse obesity and type 2 diabetics.
Congratulations Eric!
We still love the great gift you gave us.... wrapped in a huge box with a big red bow:
Our Vitamix is still getting lots of use! Thanks again.... and thanks for sending me your book. A pure joy —� I couldn’t be happier for you - and Paul and I are coming to Seattle next July- perhaps we will have time to visit.
January 20, 2019
This was an inspiring, heartwarming and heartbreaking story. Eric is leading a storied life, and I enjoyed all of his stories and his journey, except the one about his second girlfriend.
Eric weighed in at 340 lbs. and began to have health problems. He also had what I would call an NDE in which he experienced God. But for those who don’t care for religious books, don’t be concerned, as he only speaks about his beliefs for a brief moment before moving on. It is part of who he is, but he knew not to preach.
He finds a doctor who gives him a vegan diet and prescribes a dog for him. So Eric goes to the animal shelter and finds Peety.
The best stories in this book are the dog stories. Peety was like my last dog Megan, an Aussie/border collie, who went everywhere with us like Peety did with him. We would have even taken her to Disneyland, if allowed. Eric felt the same, and because of his health, he was able to get a permit to take Peety everywhere. Lucky for Peety and for him. And what fun they had together. Living in San Jose, they took day trips, trips that I had taken when I lived in Berkeley. Old memories flooded into my mind, but I didn’t have a dog back then.
Most of his book, though, is about his getting his health back, losing something like 150 lbs. He talked about his diet and how good it was for him, and he talked about going to classes to learn to cook. He is actually a great motivation speaker.
I decided to do more to lose the 10 lbs. I wish to lose, and to get my 75 lb. border collie on a diet, but I would never put her on a vegan diet like he did Peety, although it worked for Peety, who got down to 50lbs. from 75. His comment about how the extra weight makes his and his dog’s joints hurt, made me really think. But a vegan diet isn’t for me. Vegetarianism and gluten-free, I can do, maybe. And I might add, the vegan diet worked for him as well, and I know from all I have studied on nutrition over the years, and this is an excellent diet.
Anyway, if you need motivation to change part of your life, or if you just like dog stories, then you will enjoy this book. I just couldn’t put it down myself. And so I thank Net Galley for allowing me to read it.
Eric weighed in at 340 lbs. and began to have health problems. He also had what I would call an NDE in which he experienced God. But for those who don’t care for religious books, don’t be concerned, as he only speaks about his beliefs for a brief moment before moving on. It is part of who he is, but he knew not to preach.
He finds a doctor who gives him a vegan diet and prescribes a dog for him. So Eric goes to the animal shelter and finds Peety.
The best stories in this book are the dog stories. Peety was like my last dog Megan, an Aussie/border collie, who went everywhere with us like Peety did with him. We would have even taken her to Disneyland, if allowed. Eric felt the same, and because of his health, he was able to get a permit to take Peety everywhere. Lucky for Peety and for him. And what fun they had together. Living in San Jose, they took day trips, trips that I had taken when I lived in Berkeley. Old memories flooded into my mind, but I didn’t have a dog back then.
Most of his book, though, is about his getting his health back, losing something like 150 lbs. He talked about his diet and how good it was for him, and he talked about going to classes to learn to cook. He is actually a great motivation speaker.
I decided to do more to lose the 10 lbs. I wish to lose, and to get my 75 lb. border collie on a diet, but I would never put her on a vegan diet like he did Peety, although it worked for Peety, who got down to 50lbs. from 75. His comment about how the extra weight makes his and his dog’s joints hurt, made me really think. But a vegan diet isn’t for me. Vegetarianism and gluten-free, I can do, maybe. And I might add, the vegan diet worked for him as well, and I know from all I have studied on nutrition over the years, and this is an excellent diet.
Anyway, if you need motivation to change part of your life, or if you just like dog stories, then you will enjoy this book. I just couldn’t put it down myself. And so I thank Net Galley for allowing me to read it.
September 14, 2017
Thank you Netgalley & Grand Central Publishing.
While I'm happy for Eric O'Grey for his life changes. I was put off by his overall evangelical fervor and self-congratulatory tone in the book. Was he trying to convince me/the rest of the world or himself about the joys of rice & beans? About vegetables? About dogs? About running? About "relationships"?
Peety was kind of lost in all of the above.
While I'm happy for Eric O'Grey for his life changes. I was put off by his overall evangelical fervor and self-congratulatory tone in the book. Was he trying to convince me/the rest of the world or himself about the joys of rice & beans? About vegetables? About dogs? About running? About "relationships"?
Peety was kind of lost in all of the above.
September 27, 2017
I found this to be a well flowing read, and that went by in no time. Very enjoyable and relatable, it had me moved to tears in the first few pages, and again later, so I knew I was already hooked in until the end. Eric's story is wonderfully honest and brave, and I believe that it will inspire many folks. Not just in changing how they eat, but hopefully also to rescue a deserving pet that will give them back so much, just like he did. This was just such an amazingly heartwarming book, I just can't say enough about it. It just really resonated with me. (It even has me looking for another dog, even though it's the last thing we need right now. So beware of that effect). I was given a wonderful ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for review.
December 21, 2017
Oh my goodness. This one made me cry and that usually never ever happens. I loved this story. At first, I was a little annoyed because I thought it was going to be the "poor me" story line. BUT it wasn't. This was about strength, hope, and having a meaningful life. I loved this.
I thought this guy was a bit of a geek, maybe a little naive, but I soon realized he was the same kind of geek as me and he seemed more innocent than naive. He was also kind, eager to do the right thing and courageous. I loved this one.
I thought this guy was a bit of a geek, maybe a little naive, but I soon realized he was the same kind of geek as me and he seemed more innocent than naive. He was also kind, eager to do the right thing and courageous. I loved this one.
December 11, 2017
This was amazing! I am so thankful I got to read it. I started it very early, but life got pretty busy and I couldn't get to it. I was able to pick it back up this month and it was just right for me. It's a beautiful story of growth, healing, and compassion. Might be might favorite read for 2017.
Eric is overweight, unhealthy and wanting to die. His life is miserable. One full of pain and isolation. It was so sad to read about. He had no will to live. The fast food fixes, pizzas, cookies, all the things to numb his pain just didn't do it any longer.
One night, he reached out to God (the book does begin heavy on the spiritual). He bought a bible. He had a spiritual awakening that enabled him to seek the help of a whole foods plant based physician. That same doc recommended he get a shelter dog to get him out and walking.
He did, and that is where we meet Peety.
They are a perfect math...maybe even made in heaven. Peety is an older dog. 7 years old and not too healthy himself. Eric learns how to take care of him and saves himself right along with Peety. I loved reading how they helped one another and got healthy together. Such an inspirational story. Heartwarming. I too adopted a whole foods plant based diet Feb. 2017. I can attest to the health benefits my body has seen from this way of eating. It is a miracle and I know it firsthand. Congrats to Eric for turning his life around. As a mom of shelter pets I felt lot of joy spending time with this book.
Thank you Netgalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Eric O'Grey for a digital edition to read in exchange for a review. I highly recommend this one for all animal lovers and anyone who wants to improve their health. Eric had so many obstacles. An inspiration to all!
Eric is overweight, unhealthy and wanting to die. His life is miserable. One full of pain and isolation. It was so sad to read about. He had no will to live. The fast food fixes, pizzas, cookies, all the things to numb his pain just didn't do it any longer.
One night, he reached out to God (the book does begin heavy on the spiritual). He bought a bible. He had a spiritual awakening that enabled him to seek the help of a whole foods plant based physician. That same doc recommended he get a shelter dog to get him out and walking.
He did, and that is where we meet Peety.
They are a perfect math...maybe even made in heaven. Peety is an older dog. 7 years old and not too healthy himself. Eric learns how to take care of him and saves himself right along with Peety. I loved reading how they helped one another and got healthy together. Such an inspirational story. Heartwarming. I too adopted a whole foods plant based diet Feb. 2017. I can attest to the health benefits my body has seen from this way of eating. It is a miracle and I know it firsthand. Congrats to Eric for turning his life around. As a mom of shelter pets I felt lot of joy spending time with this book.
Thank you Netgalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Eric O'Grey for a digital edition to read in exchange for a review. I highly recommend this one for all animal lovers and anyone who wants to improve their health. Eric had so many obstacles. An inspiration to all!
October 1, 2017
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the story of Eric O’Grey whose life completely changed after he went on a health journey, turned vegan and adopted a shelter dog called Peety. With Peety’s help, Eric lost weight and became healthier than ever and discovered the joy of the special relationship between dog and owner.
This was a wonderful book that I throughly enjoyed from start to finish. I really felt for Eric at the start of this book - a man who was just stuck in a rut and finding it difficult to get out of it. I loved how Peety was matched up to him, and how perfect they were for each other.
Eric’s journey in weigh-loss was truly inspiring for me. I actually always felt hungry for a great vegan meal (or vegetarian in my case) when I was reading it because his descriptions of his meal and foray into cooking were described really well. I’m not a runner but I was impressed with Eric finding groups to run with which meant he had some socialisation as well, and I think that’s a brave thing for adults to do. It’s harder to make friends when you’re an adult.
When it came to Peety’s ‘time’, I was feeling quite emotional. It’s a day I dread with my own but I’m so glad Peety was able to die peacefully and surrounded by people who loved him, and that it led to Eric finding Jake. I really resonated with Eric being told how a dog will find you, and you’ll know your new dog when you see them.
I think this is a great book for dog owners/lovers, and a particularly great one for those who are vegan/vegetarian too.
This book is the story of Eric O’Grey whose life completely changed after he went on a health journey, turned vegan and adopted a shelter dog called Peety. With Peety’s help, Eric lost weight and became healthier than ever and discovered the joy of the special relationship between dog and owner.
This was a wonderful book that I throughly enjoyed from start to finish. I really felt for Eric at the start of this book - a man who was just stuck in a rut and finding it difficult to get out of it. I loved how Peety was matched up to him, and how perfect they were for each other.
Eric’s journey in weigh-loss was truly inspiring for me. I actually always felt hungry for a great vegan meal (or vegetarian in my case) when I was reading it because his descriptions of his meal and foray into cooking were described really well. I’m not a runner but I was impressed with Eric finding groups to run with which meant he had some socialisation as well, and I think that’s a brave thing for adults to do. It’s harder to make friends when you’re an adult.
When it came to Peety’s ‘time’, I was feeling quite emotional. It’s a day I dread with my own but I’m so glad Peety was able to die peacefully and surrounded by people who loved him, and that it led to Eric finding Jake. I really resonated with Eric being told how a dog will find you, and you’ll know your new dog when you see them.
I think this is a great book for dog owners/lovers, and a particularly great one for those who are vegan/vegetarian too.
October 9, 2017
Eric, the author of the book shares part of his life with us: the moment he has some sort of epiphany and decides he can no longer go on as he is doing. He knows he is overweight and wants to get back on shape, so he gets in touch with a doctor that turns him to a healthier way of eating -and living, too-, and recomends he gets a dog because that will help him to go on walks and form a bond with the animal. Although at the beginning he is unsure he will know how to take care of a dog, he soon discovers that he loves the little fella, who he calls Peety.
There are so many great things about this book! First of all, the direct no non sense style. It may seem easy to talk about being so overweight, and unsure, even talking about drugs, but I think that it showed a lot of courage and strenght and I am surprised he even found the humor in the darkests moments of the telling. Also... dogs! Dogs really are human's best friends, and I know first-hand how they can help us get better and save us. So, reading about their relationship was great.
It is such an inspiring book about wanting to get better, dare to hope for change and get hands-on to achieve it, and of love, superation and companonship.
There are so many great things about this book! First of all, the direct no non sense style. It may seem easy to talk about being so overweight, and unsure, even talking about drugs, but I think that it showed a lot of courage and strenght and I am surprised he even found the humor in the darkests moments of the telling. Also... dogs! Dogs really are human's best friends, and I know first-hand how they can help us get better and save us. So, reading about their relationship was great.
It is such an inspiring book about wanting to get better, dare to hope for change and get hands-on to achieve it, and of love, superation and companonship.
August 29, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads.
Walking With Peety, a heartwarming, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring book.
I love stories where animals save humans. I especially love it when that particular human isn't an animal lover and has never owned one before. This is exactly the case for Eric O'grey. Overweight, depressed, diabetic, reclusive couch potato Eric is going to die if he doesn't change his lifestyle- and fast. That's where loyal and lovable Peety comes in.
After a recommendation from his doctor to adopt a dog AND start on an all vegan diet, Eric is struggling mightily to take that first crucial step to becoming healthy. He's filled with doubts and worries, but puts his trust in God and takes the plunge. At the shelter, a intuitive animal lover suggests the most unlikely of dogs to become Eric's new companion. Raider, overweight and middle aged himself, isn't impressed in the slightest with Eric. He's just another human who will take him home and eventually bring him right back.
On the ride home, Eric renames Raider to Peety.
Now begins the long journey of learning to coexist when neither one is very sure of the other. They both have to fight their own personal demons of abandonment and depression, along with their new diet and exercise routine. Amazingly, after a while Eric starts feeling so good on his new diet that he is no longer tempted to stray back to any of the unhealthy food he was eating before.
The book follows Eric through his whole progress of getting healthy, his ups and downs, relationships, and eventually the devastating moment of Peety's passing.
Eric looses himself for a while there. He starts binge eating his healthy food and stops exercising. He gains weight rapidly and becomes very unhappy.
Until....Jake. A black lad he adopts from a shelter that takes over the job of saving Eric after Peety's passing.
A truly emotional book. The ending left me feeling like I've been given the warmest hug in the world while simultaneously feeling like a boa constrictor is strangling the life out of me. Interesting feeling for sure.
Read it.
Walking With Peety, a heartwarming, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring book.
I love stories where animals save humans. I especially love it when that particular human isn't an animal lover and has never owned one before. This is exactly the case for Eric O'grey. Overweight, depressed, diabetic, reclusive couch potato Eric is going to die if he doesn't change his lifestyle- and fast. That's where loyal and lovable Peety comes in.
After a recommendation from his doctor to adopt a dog AND start on an all vegan diet, Eric is struggling mightily to take that first crucial step to becoming healthy. He's filled with doubts and worries, but puts his trust in God and takes the plunge. At the shelter, a intuitive animal lover suggests the most unlikely of dogs to become Eric's new companion. Raider, overweight and middle aged himself, isn't impressed in the slightest with Eric. He's just another human who will take him home and eventually bring him right back.
On the ride home, Eric renames Raider to Peety.
Now begins the long journey of learning to coexist when neither one is very sure of the other. They both have to fight their own personal demons of abandonment and depression, along with their new diet and exercise routine. Amazingly, after a while Eric starts feeling so good on his new diet that he is no longer tempted to stray back to any of the unhealthy food he was eating before.
The book follows Eric through his whole progress of getting healthy, his ups and downs, relationships, and eventually the devastating moment of Peety's passing.
Eric looses himself for a while there. He starts binge eating his healthy food and stops exercising. He gains weight rapidly and becomes very unhappy.
Until....Jake. A black lad he adopts from a shelter that takes over the job of saving Eric after Peety's passing.
A truly emotional book. The ending left me feeling like I've been given the warmest hug in the world while simultaneously feeling like a boa constrictor is strangling the life out of me. Interesting feeling for sure.
Read it.
August 25, 2017
I received this book "Walking with Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life" from Netgalley for my honest review.
I'm sorry I cannot give this book a 5 (although I will) - it deserves a 10! What can I say about this book? Wow! Unbelievable Great! Didn't want it to end? Could not put it down! I've read a lot of dog books - pet books but this is the best one so far. The story is about Eric who was overweight - like over 300 lbs and ready to give up. Eric found his way by adopting Peety (Raider). Eric and Peety lost weight together and really they rescued each other! I really like the way the story was written. I enjoyed hearing about the plant based diet also. Good Job! I would love to have the book in my collection as I have read this on the kindle. Very inspirational book.
I'm sorry I cannot give this book a 5 (although I will) - it deserves a 10! What can I say about this book? Wow! Unbelievable Great! Didn't want it to end? Could not put it down! I've read a lot of dog books - pet books but this is the best one so far. The story is about Eric who was overweight - like over 300 lbs and ready to give up. Eric found his way by adopting Peety (Raider). Eric and Peety lost weight together and really they rescued each other! I really like the way the story was written. I enjoyed hearing about the plant based diet also. Good Job! I would love to have the book in my collection as I have read this on the kindle. Very inspirational book.
September 3, 2018
Walking With Peety by Eric O'Grey is a beautiful memoir about the author's journey, along with an adopted dog, full of hope, lots of ups and downs and love.
This book is a beautiful tribute to the love and happiness an animal brings into the life of a person. A very enjoyable book with honestly that reflected in the writing. It was a very touching and warm read. It proved to be a very inspiring story which left me feeling motivated to change a couple of things in my life that I might be taking for granted.
I'd recommend it to the readers of non-fiction genre as well as to those who love animals or are going through rough times and can do with a bit of a pick-me-up.
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
This book is a beautiful tribute to the love and happiness an animal brings into the life of a person. A very enjoyable book with honestly that reflected in the writing. It was a very touching and warm read. It proved to be a very inspiring story which left me feeling motivated to change a couple of things in my life that I might be taking for granted.
I'd recommend it to the readers of non-fiction genre as well as to those who love animals or are going through rough times and can do with a bit of a pick-me-up.
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
February 25, 2018
In his memoir WALKING WITH PEETY:THE DOG WHO SAVED MY LIFE, Eric O'Grey shares what it felt to be an obese, lonely and self-conscious salesman in his 50's. Told by one doctor to buy a cemetery plot because he would certainly be dead within 5 years, Eric instead continues to indulge in a fast food only diet, often consuming two large delivery pizzas at one sitting. But one too many humiliating airplane rides too many sent him to a holistic doctor who prescribed a whole food/plant based diet AND A DOG. The dog would require at least two half hour walks a day, forcing Eric out of his sedentary rut. A savvy worker at a San Francisco shelter (think animal whisperer) paired Eric with a perfect dog, an 8 year old Australian sheepdog mix whom O'Grey named Peety.
O'Grey tells a fascinating story of rapid weight loss, health improvement, and complete lifestyle change. From the first visit to his doctor to now, Eric has made a smooth, permanent transition to a totally vegan lifestyle. He even eliminated gluten due to a sensitivity and later found that he could not tolerate corn. Yet he found a passion for preparing nutritious, tasty meals and soon found himself sharing that passion with others. He credits those walks with Peety to not only burning calories, but also providing a way to connect with others. While he had lived in his condo for years, he knew no one, spoke to no one, and spent every weekend holed up with himself and fast food. Now he walked to new neighborhoods and parks, with Peety being the conversation starter that he needed. Relationships ensued, walking turned into a passion for running, and a fitter, leaner, happier Eric replaced the man with achy knees and shortness of breath.
The book certainly gives us something to think about. I am a full blown, mid-westerner - someone who grew up on a small dairy farm. We always grew our own vegetables and fruits, always cooked our own meals. I believe our animals were treated humanely; we were never a factory farm. Today, I still grow many of the vegetables we eat, and we often buy locally. I admit that I need to loose some weight and perhaps we eat out too often, but we do not rely on fast food as a staple. So I see why Eric lost so much weight so quickly -- he cut out a lot of calories and fat quickly; he added in exercise where there had been none. I know that plant-based diets are being promoted, and we are cutting down on meat, but I doubt that I will ever embrace the life style Eric ends up promoting.
In the end, I enjoyed reading about the profound change Peety made in Eric's life; I loved finding out about the relationship that developed between the two. But I became a bit disenchanted as the book started to focus more on girlfriends, running, and dinner parties. I was interested in the diet information, but felt it became the focus of the book, something that was not "sold" in the title. People who are considering a vegan change will enjoy the book more than I did. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a review.
O'Grey tells a fascinating story of rapid weight loss, health improvement, and complete lifestyle change. From the first visit to his doctor to now, Eric has made a smooth, permanent transition to a totally vegan lifestyle. He even eliminated gluten due to a sensitivity and later found that he could not tolerate corn. Yet he found a passion for preparing nutritious, tasty meals and soon found himself sharing that passion with others. He credits those walks with Peety to not only burning calories, but also providing a way to connect with others. While he had lived in his condo for years, he knew no one, spoke to no one, and spent every weekend holed up with himself and fast food. Now he walked to new neighborhoods and parks, with Peety being the conversation starter that he needed. Relationships ensued, walking turned into a passion for running, and a fitter, leaner, happier Eric replaced the man with achy knees and shortness of breath.
The book certainly gives us something to think about. I am a full blown, mid-westerner - someone who grew up on a small dairy farm. We always grew our own vegetables and fruits, always cooked our own meals. I believe our animals were treated humanely; we were never a factory farm. Today, I still grow many of the vegetables we eat, and we often buy locally. I admit that I need to loose some weight and perhaps we eat out too often, but we do not rely on fast food as a staple. So I see why Eric lost so much weight so quickly -- he cut out a lot of calories and fat quickly; he added in exercise where there had been none. I know that plant-based diets are being promoted, and we are cutting down on meat, but I doubt that I will ever embrace the life style Eric ends up promoting.
In the end, I enjoyed reading about the profound change Peety made in Eric's life; I loved finding out about the relationship that developed between the two. But I became a bit disenchanted as the book started to focus more on girlfriends, running, and dinner parties. I was interested in the diet information, but felt it became the focus of the book, something that was not "sold" in the title. People who are considering a vegan change will enjoy the book more than I did. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a review.
December 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It's a great story and an easy quick read.Peety will be in my heart for a long time.
May 23, 2018
Anyone who knows me probably knows that if a book is about a dog I will give it five stars. But in this case the book really is a five star book. Its the true story of Eric O'Grey. I loved listening to the audio of this book and especially since it was narrated by the author himself.
Eric was in a terrible place with his health and his life when he accidentally saw a Bill Clinton interview on tv and he looked very good. He commented that he had been on a plant based diet and he attributed his good health from that.
Eric took that little gem of information and started looking for some answers as to what exactly that type of eating is. Up until this time Eric had been on many different diets and would lose a bit but then gain more. His eating was out of control and he was unhealthy and he had no quality of like at all. He was on many medications to control things such as diabetes.
After quite a search he managed to find a doctor who was willing to take care with him and to help him with the new type of eating. This new doctor had some other ideas about how to exercise and gave him the advice to "get a dog" to walk with.
Eric had promised himself that he would do whatever he was advised in order to help himself. So away he went and got started.
The book is also full of excellent ideas and advice on good eating habits and after finishing the book I went out and made a proper stir fry with some lovely spices since the book had my mouth watering for a lot of the time.
There is also some sad times and I shed a some tears while reading this great book.
An excellent read.
Eric was in a terrible place with his health and his life when he accidentally saw a Bill Clinton interview on tv and he looked very good. He commented that he had been on a plant based diet and he attributed his good health from that.
Eric took that little gem of information and started looking for some answers as to what exactly that type of eating is. Up until this time Eric had been on many different diets and would lose a bit but then gain more. His eating was out of control and he was unhealthy and he had no quality of like at all. He was on many medications to control things such as diabetes.
After quite a search he managed to find a doctor who was willing to take care with him and to help him with the new type of eating. This new doctor had some other ideas about how to exercise and gave him the advice to "get a dog" to walk with.
Eric had promised himself that he would do whatever he was advised in order to help himself. So away he went and got started.
The book is also full of excellent ideas and advice on good eating habits and after finishing the book I went out and made a proper stir fry with some lovely spices since the book had my mouth watering for a lot of the time.
There is also some sad times and I shed a some tears while reading this great book.
An excellent read.
December 13, 2018
It took me half-way through the book to decide to stop torturing myself by reading it to the very end.
The writing is so, so boring. I thought, "Oh! A dog! A rescue dog!" Okay, I'm a sucker for anything non-fiction about dogs, especially rescue dogs. I also thought the idea of someone getting a shelter dog and overcoming their obesity and depression was pretty awesome too.
Well, the writing was still boring which made the whole story boring, not that awesome or inspiring. Eric O'Grey focused mainly on himself and how much money he could throw at things, including Peety. I still applaud him for getting healthy, but he makes it seem like it's so easy once he's done it and it's not - not for everybody. The guy got lucky, had a lot of money, and worked at it. He also got a book deal out of it too (and others? I hear he's written other inspiring stories - I wonder if they're as poorly written as this one!)
The writing is so, so boring. I thought, "Oh! A dog! A rescue dog!" Okay, I'm a sucker for anything non-fiction about dogs, especially rescue dogs. I also thought the idea of someone getting a shelter dog and overcoming their obesity and depression was pretty awesome too.
Well, the writing was still boring which made the whole story boring, not that awesome or inspiring. Eric O'Grey focused mainly on himself and how much money he could throw at things, including Peety. I still applaud him for getting healthy, but he makes it seem like it's so easy once he's done it and it's not - not for everybody. The guy got lucky, had a lot of money, and worked at it. He also got a book deal out of it too (and others? I hear he's written other inspiring stories - I wonder if they're as poorly written as this one!)
December 7, 2019
„Egal wie nah wir uns jemandem fühlen, egal wie viel diese Person uns bedeutet, manchmal können wir nicht wissen, was sie wirklich denkt oder fühlt oder was in ihrem Inneren vorgeht. Jeder ist auf seiner eigenen Reise. Jeder hat seine eigene Uhr, die für ihn tickt, und jeder sieht die Dinge aus seiner eigenen Perspektive. Und manchmal macht es das unmöglich für uns zu verstehen, wo unser Platz in dieser Welt ist.“
Zum Cover: Dieses wurde mithilfe eines Fotos von Peety persönlich erstellt und ich finde die generelle Qualität sieht unglaublich hochwertig aus. Ganz ehrlich Peety sieht auch einfach zu süß aus, um ihm wiederstehen zu können, daher kann ich nur sagen, dass das Cover mich in diesem Sinne sehr angesprochen hat. Der Untertitel „Zwei dicke Freunde spazieren durchs Leben“ hört sich doch ebenfalls sehr charmant an, auch wenn hinter diesem Satz eindeutig viel mehr in der Geschichte steckt als dieser Satz auch nur ansatzweise beschreiben könnte.
Zum Inhalt: Eric ist schwer übergewichtig, leidet unter Depressionen und anderen gesundheitlichen Einschränkungen. Nachdem ihm zusätzlich Typ-2-Diabetes diagnostiziert wird, hat seine neue Ärztin, Dr. Preety, eine Überraschung parat: Sie schickt Eric ins Tierheim. Der ebenfalls übergewichtige Hund Peety ist Eric auf den ersten Blick sympathisch, und die beiden begeben sich gemeinsam auf eine unglaubliche Reise, die ihr Leben für immer verändern wird. Dank ihrer Spaziergänge findet Eric neue Zuversicht und verliert sagenhafte 75 Kilogramm! Er heilt seine Diabetes und kann sämtliche Medikamente absetzen. Auch Peety verliert über zehn Kilo. Als das Dreamteam mit neu gefundenem Selbstvertrauen eine ehemalige Schulfreundin von Eric trifft, wird für ihn sogar der Traum von der großen Liebe wahr. Doch wie jede Geschichte hat auch diese ihr bittersüßes Ende. ~
„Glauben Sie an sich selbst, Eric. Manchmal entspricht das Bild, das wir von uns selbst haben, nicht der Art und Weise, wie der Rest der Welt uns sieht. Vielleicht brauchen Sie eine Weile, um sich selbst so zu sehen, wie Sie sind, aber Sie haben sich in vielerlei Hinsicht verändert.“
Meine Meinung: Ich finde, dass diese Geschichte, die Eric in diesem Buch erzählt und selbst erlebt hat, denn es war und ist sein Leben, das er hier mit uns teilt, äußerst beeindruckend und faszinierend, und vielleicht auch ein wenig vor den Kopf stoßend, wenn man bedenkt, dass er sehr für das Leben als Veganer ausspricht, das er sich selbst noch vor ein paar Jahren niemals hätte vorstellen können. Damit ist dieses Buch top aktuell und gleichzeitig zeitlos, da die Geschichte um einen Hund, der ein neues Zuhause findet, wie ich finde, immer etwas sehr klassisches und schönes ist. Etwas, dass nicht viel abverlangt; dass ohne große Ausschmückungen auskommt. Denn ein Hund – oder allgemein ein Tier – gibt dir nur so viel, wie du ihm schenkst. Drum sollte man sich nie ein Tier anschaffen, wenn man sich seiner Sache nicht zu Hundertprozent sicher ist, dass man eines umsorgen kann. Ist ähnlich wie mit einem Kind oder einem Partner, weil man mit dem Tier eine innere, tiefe Bindung eingeht.
Glücklicherweise ist Eric dies bewusst, weshalb er zuerst hadert, als ihm Dr. Preety die Empfehlung gibt, einen Hund zu adoptieren, doch schließlich entscheidet er sich dafür und das war die beste Entscheidung seines Lebens. Zusammen mit Peety erlebt er sein Leben neu und verändert sich auf positive Weise in jemanden, an den er lange Zeit nicht geglaubt hat, dass er in ihm existiert. Und das ist ein Neuanfang, der besonderen Art. In gewisser Weise beginnt für Eric ein neues Leben, genau wie es für Peety beginnt.
Dass der Veganismus in diesem Buch eine große Rolle spielt, finde ich hierbei sehr interessant, überrascht mich in diesem Sinne jedoch nicht, da es Eric letztlich darum geht abzunehmen und mit veganer Schonkost geht das nun einmal mit am besten, auch wenn er sie tatsächlich anders nennt. Doch zum Ende hin bleibt er schließlich dabei, deshalb versucht er im Laufe des Buches auch immer wieder seine neugewonnenen Lebensweisheiten mit anderen zu teilen, was ihm erst schwerfällt, weil er Angst hat, sich zu öffnen, aber letztendlich möchte er seine Erfahrungen und neuen Interessen mit der Welt teilen und so ist auch dieses Buch entstanden, aus dem man zugegeben noch etwas mehr rausholen hätte können als eine einfache Weise der Biographie, beispielweise mit veganen Rezepte zum Nachkochen. Doch wie Eric es gelöst hat, ist es ebenfalls ein gelungenes Werk und eine Hommage an Tierliebe und den Willen, etwas zu schaffen, wenn man es sich nur genug wünscht und den Willen hat, es umzusetzen. Dazu gehört viel Mut und Selbstvertrauen, was man sich beides erarbeiten muss, hat man es erst verloren. Eric ist dies gelungen und mit diesem Buch macht er uns Hoffnung, dass wir ebenfalls das erreichen können, was wir möchten. Vielleicht habe ich dich ja bereits inspiriert, in dieses Buch hineinzulesen?
Fazit: Fakt ist, dass dieses Buch wahnsinnig inspirierend ist, denn Eric ist eine bewundernswerte Persönlichkeit und auch wenn ich seine persönliche Situation und seine Abnehmgeschichte nicht direkt nachvollziehen kann, kann ich doch seine emotionale Beziehung nachempfinden, die er zu Peety aufgebaut hat. Ein Hund sagt mit einem Blick mehr als tausend Worte und liebt dich bedingungslos. Denn wenn du gut zu ihm bist, ist er gut zu dir. Das ist die Devise des Zusammenlebens.
Da dieses Buch nach einer wahren Geschichte erzählt wird, muss ich zugeben, wusste ich anfangs nicht, wie sie bewerten soll, aber letztlich hätte es sich falsch angefühlt, dem Buch keine 5 Sterne zu geben. Ich weiß zwar, dass es kein Herzensbuch von mir werden wird, doch es ist ein Buch, das mich allemal sehr berührt hat, weil es so aus dem Leben gegriffen wurde – was es ja auch ist –, und ich habe es einfach sehr genossen Peety und Eric auf ihrer gemeinsamen Reise zu begleiten.
Zum Cover: Dieses wurde mithilfe eines Fotos von Peety persönlich erstellt und ich finde die generelle Qualität sieht unglaublich hochwertig aus. Ganz ehrlich Peety sieht auch einfach zu süß aus, um ihm wiederstehen zu können, daher kann ich nur sagen, dass das Cover mich in diesem Sinne sehr angesprochen hat. Der Untertitel „Zwei dicke Freunde spazieren durchs Leben“ hört sich doch ebenfalls sehr charmant an, auch wenn hinter diesem Satz eindeutig viel mehr in der Geschichte steckt als dieser Satz auch nur ansatzweise beschreiben könnte.
Zum Inhalt: Eric ist schwer übergewichtig, leidet unter Depressionen und anderen gesundheitlichen Einschränkungen. Nachdem ihm zusätzlich Typ-2-Diabetes diagnostiziert wird, hat seine neue Ärztin, Dr. Preety, eine Überraschung parat: Sie schickt Eric ins Tierheim. Der ebenfalls übergewichtige Hund Peety ist Eric auf den ersten Blick sympathisch, und die beiden begeben sich gemeinsam auf eine unglaubliche Reise, die ihr Leben für immer verändern wird. Dank ihrer Spaziergänge findet Eric neue Zuversicht und verliert sagenhafte 75 Kilogramm! Er heilt seine Diabetes und kann sämtliche Medikamente absetzen. Auch Peety verliert über zehn Kilo. Als das Dreamteam mit neu gefundenem Selbstvertrauen eine ehemalige Schulfreundin von Eric trifft, wird für ihn sogar der Traum von der großen Liebe wahr. Doch wie jede Geschichte hat auch diese ihr bittersüßes Ende. ~
„Glauben Sie an sich selbst, Eric. Manchmal entspricht das Bild, das wir von uns selbst haben, nicht der Art und Weise, wie der Rest der Welt uns sieht. Vielleicht brauchen Sie eine Weile, um sich selbst so zu sehen, wie Sie sind, aber Sie haben sich in vielerlei Hinsicht verändert.“
Meine Meinung: Ich finde, dass diese Geschichte, die Eric in diesem Buch erzählt und selbst erlebt hat, denn es war und ist sein Leben, das er hier mit uns teilt, äußerst beeindruckend und faszinierend, und vielleicht auch ein wenig vor den Kopf stoßend, wenn man bedenkt, dass er sehr für das Leben als Veganer ausspricht, das er sich selbst noch vor ein paar Jahren niemals hätte vorstellen können. Damit ist dieses Buch top aktuell und gleichzeitig zeitlos, da die Geschichte um einen Hund, der ein neues Zuhause findet, wie ich finde, immer etwas sehr klassisches und schönes ist. Etwas, dass nicht viel abverlangt; dass ohne große Ausschmückungen auskommt. Denn ein Hund – oder allgemein ein Tier – gibt dir nur so viel, wie du ihm schenkst. Drum sollte man sich nie ein Tier anschaffen, wenn man sich seiner Sache nicht zu Hundertprozent sicher ist, dass man eines umsorgen kann. Ist ähnlich wie mit einem Kind oder einem Partner, weil man mit dem Tier eine innere, tiefe Bindung eingeht.
Glücklicherweise ist Eric dies bewusst, weshalb er zuerst hadert, als ihm Dr. Preety die Empfehlung gibt, einen Hund zu adoptieren, doch schließlich entscheidet er sich dafür und das war die beste Entscheidung seines Lebens. Zusammen mit Peety erlebt er sein Leben neu und verändert sich auf positive Weise in jemanden, an den er lange Zeit nicht geglaubt hat, dass er in ihm existiert. Und das ist ein Neuanfang, der besonderen Art. In gewisser Weise beginnt für Eric ein neues Leben, genau wie es für Peety beginnt.
Dass der Veganismus in diesem Buch eine große Rolle spielt, finde ich hierbei sehr interessant, überrascht mich in diesem Sinne jedoch nicht, da es Eric letztlich darum geht abzunehmen und mit veganer Schonkost geht das nun einmal mit am besten, auch wenn er sie tatsächlich anders nennt. Doch zum Ende hin bleibt er schließlich dabei, deshalb versucht er im Laufe des Buches auch immer wieder seine neugewonnenen Lebensweisheiten mit anderen zu teilen, was ihm erst schwerfällt, weil er Angst hat, sich zu öffnen, aber letztendlich möchte er seine Erfahrungen und neuen Interessen mit der Welt teilen und so ist auch dieses Buch entstanden, aus dem man zugegeben noch etwas mehr rausholen hätte können als eine einfache Weise der Biographie, beispielweise mit veganen Rezepte zum Nachkochen. Doch wie Eric es gelöst hat, ist es ebenfalls ein gelungenes Werk und eine Hommage an Tierliebe und den Willen, etwas zu schaffen, wenn man es sich nur genug wünscht und den Willen hat, es umzusetzen. Dazu gehört viel Mut und Selbstvertrauen, was man sich beides erarbeiten muss, hat man es erst verloren. Eric ist dies gelungen und mit diesem Buch macht er uns Hoffnung, dass wir ebenfalls das erreichen können, was wir möchten. Vielleicht habe ich dich ja bereits inspiriert, in dieses Buch hineinzulesen?
Fazit: Fakt ist, dass dieses Buch wahnsinnig inspirierend ist, denn Eric ist eine bewundernswerte Persönlichkeit und auch wenn ich seine persönliche Situation und seine Abnehmgeschichte nicht direkt nachvollziehen kann, kann ich doch seine emotionale Beziehung nachempfinden, die er zu Peety aufgebaut hat. Ein Hund sagt mit einem Blick mehr als tausend Worte und liebt dich bedingungslos. Denn wenn du gut zu ihm bist, ist er gut zu dir. Das ist die Devise des Zusammenlebens.
Da dieses Buch nach einer wahren Geschichte erzählt wird, muss ich zugeben, wusste ich anfangs nicht, wie sie bewerten soll, aber letztlich hätte es sich falsch angefühlt, dem Buch keine 5 Sterne zu geben. Ich weiß zwar, dass es kein Herzensbuch von mir werden wird, doch es ist ein Buch, das mich allemal sehr berührt hat, weil es so aus dem Leben gegriffen wurde – was es ja auch ist –, und ich habe es einfach sehr genossen Peety und Eric auf ihrer gemeinsamen Reise zu begleiten.
November 26, 2017
This book is inspiring, amazing, heart-breaking, and motivating. Upon completing it, I got out a plant-based cookbook my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas last year called Oh She Glows (which until then had remained untouched), and headed to the grocery store for a ton of veggies, spices, etc.
This was exactly the push I needed to do what I've known I should do for years: Go all in, plant-based. I'm excited for my own "new start".
This was exactly the push I needed to do what I've known I should do for years: Go all in, plant-based. I'm excited for my own "new start".
January 4, 2018
Loved this book - so inspiring. It's an amazing true story of how a rescue dog transformed a man's life, but it's also the story of how a doctor helped a man come back from the brink of death. Couldn't put it down - made me think about my own habits and health.
Dogs rescue us far more than we rescue them and this book illustrates that so clearly. Loved Eric's spirit and enthusiasm, but truly appreciated his honesty in sharing even the not-pretty parts of his journey.
Dogs rescue us far more than we rescue them and this book illustrates that so clearly. Loved Eric's spirit and enthusiasm, but truly appreciated his honesty in sharing even the not-pretty parts of his journey.
January 31, 2021
I loved the parts with Petey. However too much of the book felt like a hard sell for a plant based diet combined with Christian scripture. This is not how this book is marketed and had I known so much would be about the plant based diet and Christianity I would not have picked it up. As it was I did not finish the last chapters.
June 9, 2020
This book is very inspirational and motivating along with a wonderful story about a man's relationship with a dog. I enjoyed it very much.
May 2, 2022
GREAT audiobook and physical book. This isn’t the best nonfiction ever, but the story is amazing. I cried multiple times during Eric’s journey. This dog really changed his life and then his advocacy for animals as a result…just wow. I’m a pescatarian and his passion for the plant-based diet makes me want to get better about the amount of oils we use in our cooking and types of vegan food. Like this week, I bought the most fruit I ever have just to start snacking healthier. And then he got into running, etc. It was just so so motivational. I’m so happy my running partner, Jane, told me about this book. I highly recommend to anyone needing a good story with themes of plant-based diets, dogs, running, walking, or changing lives.
September 18, 2018
In Walking with Peety, Eric gave me a whole new understanding of struggles facing a person who is morbidly overweight and what their life is like. First of all, why is the term morbidly use rather than massively? More but has other connotations that are more negative than need be.
Living in Pennsylvania I get to experience the whole, “A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body idle just wants to sit on the sofa and do nothing all winter long.
Pet adoption agencies and breeders should always have people like Cassondra. People must be aware that they are not purchasing a gadget or new toy for their children. This is a lifetime commitment for likely 10 to 15 years. And this is a commitment of caring and affection not just maintenance.
Some readers may think Eric‘s idea of how to get a dog and what to do with the dog are laughable. But sadly, there are people out there that don’t do their research on what type of dog would fit their lifestyle and their surroundings. Breed traits actually do carry over into mixed breed dogs.
This life-changing decision is often precluded with, “Ooh. Isn’t this one cute? Let’s get him!” Then the dog’s personality (a.k.a. breed traits) don’t fit in with the family or the child always forgets to feed the dog or whatever. How many dogs end up tied up in the backyard with no attention and little food or water? This is sooo inhumane.
I hope if you know of someone who does this, you report that situation, anonymously if necessary, please end of that dog’s suffering.
We must end the practice of abusing dogs and dumping unwanted pets. All shelters should offer what every conscientious breeder offers: to take back the dog unconditionally and return the purchase price or adoption fee.
Eric seems to be an obsessive/compulsive. This Book shows that it is both a blessing and a curse. It was certainly a blessing with changing his diet and walking with Peety, but it was this curse that contributed to his gross obesity and the length and depth despair he felt when Peety went across that rainbow bridge.
Please do not let your dog pull his whole body weight against his throat. If you can’t or choose not to train your dog to walk nicely, get a harness for him, preferably one that is padded.
This dog leading out in front sweeping the sidewalk is not acceptable. It is being rude and inconsiderate of anyone else using that sidewalk and Petty should not have the responsibility of being the alpha dog that has the load of protection placed upon him. He seems to appreciate his role but dogs are less stressed and make better pets if they have a leader who will provide care and protection.
At times, Eric’s compulsiveness leads to a lack of common sense. When you’re in a motel room, a child does not leave hair all over the bedspread. Sadly, we conscientious dog owners end up paying for those that aren’t so conscientious. Children are not left in a room alone to scream and cry and possibly ‘not use the bathroom’. Albiet, wrongfully, it’s always the good people who pay for the carelessness of bad ones. Eric does not question why he can’t take the dog inside the main part of a restaurant. It must be obvious to him that patrons would not appreciate an animal hair topping on their vegan dinner.
I live in Pittsburgh, Pa. and it is not a dog friendly town. That is a real shame and I can only hope that this will get better in the future. I just ache to be able to take my dog as many places as Eric can. Someday I would love to move to California.
Wow. I am so amazed at Eric turning around his whole way of thinking about food and exercise (And dogs!) and yet, continues on to, not just redoing his apartment, but learning all of the skills so that he can be a do-it-yourselfer.
That’s a very admirable compulsive personality trait.
Ah, Eric, now that you’ve got all of the basics done, imagine the fun you would’ve had going out to garage sales and yard sales and thrift stores looking for just the right accent pieces. Seeing the brilliance of Mexican rugs and the creativity in pottery and so much more. I love to repurpose things. Now, that is really fun and so rewarding! Everything is so unique and so reflective of your character and creativity.
Oh well, there’s always next time.
All in all, although I’ve had criticisms in this review, the book is an excellent piece of work that teaches and brings the reader close to Eric and Peety.
Living in Pennsylvania I get to experience the whole, “A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body idle just wants to sit on the sofa and do nothing all winter long.
Pet adoption agencies and breeders should always have people like Cassondra. People must be aware that they are not purchasing a gadget or new toy for their children. This is a lifetime commitment for likely 10 to 15 years. And this is a commitment of caring and affection not just maintenance.
Some readers may think Eric‘s idea of how to get a dog and what to do with the dog are laughable. But sadly, there are people out there that don’t do their research on what type of dog would fit their lifestyle and their surroundings. Breed traits actually do carry over into mixed breed dogs.
This life-changing decision is often precluded with, “Ooh. Isn’t this one cute? Let’s get him!” Then the dog’s personality (a.k.a. breed traits) don’t fit in with the family or the child always forgets to feed the dog or whatever. How many dogs end up tied up in the backyard with no attention and little food or water? This is sooo inhumane.
I hope if you know of someone who does this, you report that situation, anonymously if necessary, please end of that dog’s suffering.
We must end the practice of abusing dogs and dumping unwanted pets. All shelters should offer what every conscientious breeder offers: to take back the dog unconditionally and return the purchase price or adoption fee.
Eric seems to be an obsessive/compulsive. This Book shows that it is both a blessing and a curse. It was certainly a blessing with changing his diet and walking with Peety, but it was this curse that contributed to his gross obesity and the length and depth despair he felt when Peety went across that rainbow bridge.
Please do not let your dog pull his whole body weight against his throat. If you can’t or choose not to train your dog to walk nicely, get a harness for him, preferably one that is padded.
This dog leading out in front sweeping the sidewalk is not acceptable. It is being rude and inconsiderate of anyone else using that sidewalk and Petty should not have the responsibility of being the alpha dog that has the load of protection placed upon him. He seems to appreciate his role but dogs are less stressed and make better pets if they have a leader who will provide care and protection.
At times, Eric’s compulsiveness leads to a lack of common sense. When you’re in a motel room, a child does not leave hair all over the bedspread. Sadly, we conscientious dog owners end up paying for those that aren’t so conscientious. Children are not left in a room alone to scream and cry and possibly ‘not use the bathroom’. Albiet, wrongfully, it’s always the good people who pay for the carelessness of bad ones. Eric does not question why he can’t take the dog inside the main part of a restaurant. It must be obvious to him that patrons would not appreciate an animal hair topping on their vegan dinner.
I live in Pittsburgh, Pa. and it is not a dog friendly town. That is a real shame and I can only hope that this will get better in the future. I just ache to be able to take my dog as many places as Eric can. Someday I would love to move to California.
Wow. I am so amazed at Eric turning around his whole way of thinking about food and exercise (And dogs!) and yet, continues on to, not just redoing his apartment, but learning all of the skills so that he can be a do-it-yourselfer.
That’s a very admirable compulsive personality trait.
Ah, Eric, now that you’ve got all of the basics done, imagine the fun you would’ve had going out to garage sales and yard sales and thrift stores looking for just the right accent pieces. Seeing the brilliance of Mexican rugs and the creativity in pottery and so much more. I love to repurpose things. Now, that is really fun and so rewarding! Everything is so unique and so reflective of your character and creativity.
Oh well, there’s always next time.
All in all, although I’ve had criticisms in this review, the book is an excellent piece of work that teaches and brings the reader close to Eric and Peety.
August 12, 2017
I sat and read this entire book cover to cover in two sittings. I'm still somewhat conflicted. It was uplifting and also really sad. It really is well written and inspirational (especially for a ghostwritten book). The author went from morbidly obese to active and changed his diet and outlook after (he says because of) adopting an overweight adult shelter dog, Peety. There are a number of Bible quotes and references to God, but I didn't find them extreme or particularly preachy. (Honestly, I got more of a 12 step type vibe than a religious vibe from the quotes and descriptions of religious themes in the book).
The author, Eric, also had a lifetime of weight problems and a tough childhood in a neglectful home. He served in the armed services, got through college and grad school (law) as a non-traditional older student and then lost his license due to a drugs conviction. Restarting and building his life up again after making a move to the west coast, he felt isolated and depressed, and his weight ballooned again causing him to feel more isolated and depressed.
After adopting Peety, he really starts making positive changes in his diet and lifestyle for both himself and the dog. It was really heartbreaking reading about his experiences as an obese man. He talks about feeling invisible, disgusting, etc. He talks about his joint pain and psoriasis. It was so sad and disheartening to read about his depression and negative self image.
I also never knew that dogs were not obligate carnivores. The first time I read that Eric had put Peety on a vegan diet I was shaking my head and saying no, No, NO! In this case however, I must confess that I was (maybe somewhat) wrong. Apparently dogs are omnivorous and, with care and careful management, can live on a meatless plant based diet. I never knew.
Anyhow, the book ends on a very positive note and includes an afterword resource section with website links and information for further reading.
I did enjoy reading this book.
Three and a half stars (even though I cried)
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
The author, Eric, also had a lifetime of weight problems and a tough childhood in a neglectful home. He served in the armed services, got through college and grad school (law) as a non-traditional older student and then lost his license due to a drugs conviction. Restarting and building his life up again after making a move to the west coast, he felt isolated and depressed, and his weight ballooned again causing him to feel more isolated and depressed.
After adopting Peety, he really starts making positive changes in his diet and lifestyle for both himself and the dog. It was really heartbreaking reading about his experiences as an obese man. He talks about feeling invisible, disgusting, etc. He talks about his joint pain and psoriasis. It was so sad and disheartening to read about his depression and negative self image.
I also never knew that dogs were not obligate carnivores. The first time I read that Eric had put Peety on a vegan diet I was shaking my head and saying no, No, NO! In this case however, I must confess that I was (maybe somewhat) wrong. Apparently dogs are omnivorous and, with care and careful management, can live on a meatless plant based diet. I never knew.
Anyhow, the book ends on a very positive note and includes an afterword resource section with website links and information for further reading.
I did enjoy reading this book.
Three and a half stars (even though I cried)
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
August 23, 2017
Eric O'Grey was obese and heading into a downward spiral of diabetes,joint pain, depression and other medical ailments brought on by his weight. His doctor told him to buy a funeral plot because at the rate he was going, he would soon kill himself without adopting a healthier lifestyle. Eric O'Grey finally has a realization that the doctor is right and turns to a nutritionist to help him take steps towards getting healthy. His nutritionist tells him to do 2 things: adopt a plant-based diet and adopt a shelter dog to encourage him to get out and get moving.
With some trepidation, Eric adopts Petty, an overweight middle aged dog he feels he can relate to. Between the healthier diet and walking 30 minutes 2x a day with Peety, Eric starts to lose the weight, feel better physically and mentally and develops a bond with Peety. He discovers that he can do more than he thought now that the weight is not bogging him down and undertakes renovating his condo, travelling with Peety, joining a running club and more.
Eric is an inspirational individual who can really attest to the difference a dog can make in your life (as a proud rescue dog owner, I wholeheartedly agree). While I am not ready to adopt a full plant-based diet, it did change my thinking about veganism, as I usually (and I admit, wrongly,) associated it with the hippie dippy type and it's clearly a legitimate lifestyle that can certainly be followed by anyone.
I loved that Eric found another rescue dog after Peety passed on and I don't want to completely spoil the ending, but I really enjoyed Eric's happy ending in the Afterword.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.
With some trepidation, Eric adopts Petty, an overweight middle aged dog he feels he can relate to. Between the healthier diet and walking 30 minutes 2x a day with Peety, Eric starts to lose the weight, feel better physically and mentally and develops a bond with Peety. He discovers that he can do more than he thought now that the weight is not bogging him down and undertakes renovating his condo, travelling with Peety, joining a running club and more.
Eric is an inspirational individual who can really attest to the difference a dog can make in your life (as a proud rescue dog owner, I wholeheartedly agree). While I am not ready to adopt a full plant-based diet, it did change my thinking about veganism, as I usually (and I admit, wrongly,) associated it with the hippie dippy type and it's clearly a legitimate lifestyle that can certainly be followed by anyone.
I loved that Eric found another rescue dog after Peety passed on and I don't want to completely spoil the ending, but I really enjoyed Eric's happy ending in the Afterword.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.
July 25, 2019
2.5*
I thought this book was just ok. My biggest issue with the book was the feeling of disconnect I had with the author. I felt like the vibe of his personality jumped all over the place throughout the book. I was relating to him as this enormously large, self-conscious, socially awkward man then halfway through the book he blurts out that as a teen he was running with a rough crowd and stealing cars, and but oh wait, as a child he was "Pudge" the chubby boy who got bullied. I just couldn't reconcile all of those pieces in my mind. I also found it really hard to believe that O'Grey just woke up one day and made MAJOR changes to his life - he goes from eating multiple pizzas in one sitting to vegan, with the snap of a finger? I find that a bit unbelievable. I think that in most cases (and it's safe to assume this one, based on the description of his mental state at that time) people who are morbidly obese often struggle with some type of mental health condition, be it depression, self loathing, emotional disorders, etc. When you are battling mental health diseases, you don't just wake up one day and change your whole entire life. If it were that easy, no one would be depressed. I just felt like this book was a huge oversimplification of O'Grey's life, and skipping out on the meat of the struggle, it detracts from the message.
As far as Peety goes......of course I loved Peety, because how could you not? But again, I felt that the representation of Peety was oversimplified. I would have enjoyed this book more if it had truly been about the journey that Eric and Peety took, instead of just the shiny highlights.
I thought this book was just ok. My biggest issue with the book was the feeling of disconnect I had with the author. I felt like the vibe of his personality jumped all over the place throughout the book. I was relating to him as this enormously large, self-conscious, socially awkward man then halfway through the book he blurts out that as a teen he was running with a rough crowd and stealing cars, and but oh wait, as a child he was "Pudge" the chubby boy who got bullied. I just couldn't reconcile all of those pieces in my mind. I also found it really hard to believe that O'Grey just woke up one day and made MAJOR changes to his life - he goes from eating multiple pizzas in one sitting to vegan, with the snap of a finger? I find that a bit unbelievable. I think that in most cases (and it's safe to assume this one, based on the description of his mental state at that time) people who are morbidly obese often struggle with some type of mental health condition, be it depression, self loathing, emotional disorders, etc. When you are battling mental health diseases, you don't just wake up one day and change your whole entire life. If it were that easy, no one would be depressed. I just felt like this book was a huge oversimplification of O'Grey's life, and skipping out on the meat of the struggle, it detracts from the message.
As far as Peety goes......of course I loved Peety, because how could you not? But again, I felt that the representation of Peety was oversimplified. I would have enjoyed this book more if it had truly been about the journey that Eric and Peety took, instead of just the shiny highlights.
August 15, 2017
Eric O'Grey was a well educated, depressed, obese, type 2 diabetic. By his own admission he was becoming withdrawn and finding it easier to purchase things on-line than go out in public...searching for them.
Eric is informed in his current state, he may only have 5 years to live. He changes doctors, and changes his perspective when he is told he needs a plant based diet and to adopt a shelter dog. Eric, not having owned a dog before, contacts a shelter and ends up adopting Raider, a border collie Australian Shepherd mix, changing his name to Peety.
Over the course of the first year, we see how drastically Eric and Peety change. Both bond, consume a plant based diet and loose weight together, becoming more social in the process.
I found this book intriguing after having read The Animals Among Us How Pets Make Us Human, by John Bradshaw. As there is a section in there on the great health benefits of dog ownership ascribed to green space.
"WALKING WITH PEETY" is an inspirational relationship book. It is centered on the bonding of a man, and his dog. It is of those heartwarming stories where you learn how one... rescues the other.
Reviewed for Net Galley.
Eric is informed in his current state, he may only have 5 years to live. He changes doctors, and changes his perspective when he is told he needs a plant based diet and to adopt a shelter dog. Eric, not having owned a dog before, contacts a shelter and ends up adopting Raider, a border collie Australian Shepherd mix, changing his name to Peety.
Over the course of the first year, we see how drastically Eric and Peety change. Both bond, consume a plant based diet and loose weight together, becoming more social in the process.
I found this book intriguing after having read The Animals Among Us How Pets Make Us Human, by John Bradshaw. As there is a section in there on the great health benefits of dog ownership ascribed to green space.
"WALKING WITH PEETY" is an inspirational relationship book. It is centered on the bonding of a man, and his dog. It is of those heartwarming stories where you learn how one... rescues the other.
Reviewed for Net Galley.
April 24, 2018
Imagine that you need to change something you never thought you could. You always laughed at the fact you think you can change it. Then someone recommends something that will make you second think doing it. You do the thing they recommended, and you are so thankful you did it. Then in end of the change you made you are never ever going to go back to before. This is how Eric felt when he got Peety and it changed his life forever. I read Walking With Peety by Eric O'Grey. It is about I man named Eric who needs to lose weight because if he doesn't bad things could happen. So he tells himself that he will do anything to lose wait. Then someone recommends to get a dog. He thinks it is a crazy idea but he does it, and is so happy for that. Read to find out how Peety has changed his life. Also, if he loses weight or not. This was a autobiography. I recommend it because it is so inspirational and it makes you use so many feelings. I like it because I love dog books. Also, I love when you can use so many feelings in a book. I loved this book you will to!
August 16, 2017
Eric O'Grey weighed over 300 pounds and was a depressed, diabetic, binge-eating couch potato able to consume two pizzas in one sitting. He reaches a pivotal moment when a new doctor suggests a plant based diet and a shelter dog. It becomes a mutual rescue when Eric adopts Peety and the middle-aged overweight lonely dog and man form a lasting bond over a vegan diet and long walks. In one year, Eric lost 150 pounds, and Peety lost 25. Eric reverses his diabetes, gets off all medications, discovers an allergy to corn, and develops a social life. "WALKING WITH PEETY" is inspirational for anyone looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle or understands the wonder of the bond between man and dog. My only complaint about the book, is that I would have loved to see the recipes for some of the wonderful things that he mentions cooking (especially the rice and beans that start him on his weight loss journey and the paella that start him on his social recovery.)
November 20, 2017
After hearing Eric present (along with Jake, of course) at the Spokane Vegfest in 2016, I was looking forward to reading this one! While I will say the book is more about Eric's journey than necessarily about Peety, it's clear that he wouldn't have been able to make that journey without this amazing dog. I loved following along as he turned into a dog lover, then transitioned into an all-around animal lover and activist. Eric is sure to win some people over to a whole foods, plant-based diet with his amazing success and I hope his story will lead more people to the shelters in search of a furry companion. I sure don't know where I'd be without mine!
The only thing I wish was included that wasn't? Recipes! I was thrilled to get copies of his dog food/treat recipes at this year's Vegfest, but some of those human dishes he described in the book sound so good. Maybe that's in the works for another book?
The only thing I wish was included that wasn't? Recipes! I was thrilled to get copies of his dog food/treat recipes at this year's Vegfest, but some of those human dishes he described in the book sound so good. Maybe that's in the works for another book?
August 22, 2017
As a dog-lover I was happy to win this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Walking with Peety is a bit sad, but mostly inspirational. Anyone can relate to the very real struggles revolving around food, weight, health, and of course mental well being... and that's where Peety comes in. It's heartwarming to read about the special bond between man and mans best friend, and how a dog can provide both live and emotional support in tough times.
The book is also a great lesson in reminding folks that we are what we eat and that food is supposed to be about nutrition....Giving the body what it needs. Many of us have allergies that are causing problems we may not even be aware of.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it!
Walking with Peety is a bit sad, but mostly inspirational. Anyone can relate to the very real struggles revolving around food, weight, health, and of course mental well being... and that's where Peety comes in. It's heartwarming to read about the special bond between man and mans best friend, and how a dog can provide both live and emotional support in tough times.
The book is also a great lesson in reminding folks that we are what we eat and that food is supposed to be about nutrition....Giving the body what it needs. Many of us have allergies that are causing problems we may not even be aware of.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it!
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