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Zen and the Art of Dog Walking
This collection of photographs and musings is a simple descriptive journey of how I discovered natural beauty and spiritual peace by walking our dog... of how Bo and I not only discover each other but also the world around us. Bo was an abandoned puppy and I had recently moved to the country with my wife and son. After Bo came to us, while my wife was at work and son at school, the two of us began to take walks through the woods and around the lake that was nearby. I needed the exercise and Bo, being a puppy, needed to burn off energy. As we both began to become aware of our surroundings, the whole process became more enlightening to me and opened a whole new sensory world to Bo. Early on I began to take a camera along mostly to capture Bo being his dog self. I began to become aware of my environment, expanding not only my consciousness but the subject matter for the photographs as well. We are now a few years down the road and have grown together in many ways due in large part to these dog walks that we take together. Bo has taught me many things; I have opened my mind to new thoughts; we have shared many experiences and I see the visual world in a whole new way. So...Bo and I invite you to join us on a simple tale of discovery in the absolute joy and enlightenment of a dog walk. As someone told me after reading the book, “It's what we're all looking for”.
- GenresDogsPhotographyAnimals
120 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 2, 2018
This book combines three of my favorite things in life, nature, dogs, and photography. The book is about the time Ray Sullivan and his dog Bo had walking together. Perhaps it would be better to say it is about the feel of dog walking. It is about their relationship, and about the way they view nature. Bo changes Sullivan’s view of the nature where he lives during their walks together. Not all of a sudden, but over time. I think all dog owners can relate to this book in some way, I know I certainly do.
Photographically speaking it is a good collection, a mix of pure landscape shots, photos of plants, and dogs. Most are in black and white, but there are also a few in color. Bo is in majority of the photos, either as the main subject or somewhere in the frame, but not all of them. This is not just about Bo, it is also about nature, and enjoying being there. As a collection all of the photos work, but if you look at individual photos there are a couple that may not stand well on their own.
For example there is a photo of Bo where the frame cuts Bo’s paws a little. This is not a great photograph, but it does work in relation with the rest. Luckily, shots like that one are very few. Most of them are very well taken, and there are even some that I would say are absolutely beautiful. One of the most striking photo is one of the last one in the book. It is a black and white photo with flowers in the foreground, and Bo in the background. There are also shots like the one that is on the cover. All in all I think the really good ones out number the lesser ones. I like the black and white photos better, but there are also good color photos there.
The book also has short poems that give the reader a slightly fuller picture of their relationship. I like this book a lot. I think it is a great view into the enjoyment of dog walking. On a more personal note there is one color shot of Bo sitting on a pier that reminds me so much of one of my dogs that are now gone. A dog that was difficult, and really really energetic, but one that I think I will always miss. As Bo is also gone, I suppose this is Sullivan’s way to deal with that loss, or that plays part in it at least. And Zen and the Art of Dog Walking is a beautiful way to remember a dog. I can recommend this book to any dog owner, wholeheartedly.
You can see a trailer for this book here, in it Sullivan talks about the making of the book, and you can see Bo in action. https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1110...
Photographically speaking it is a good collection, a mix of pure landscape shots, photos of plants, and dogs. Most are in black and white, but there are also a few in color. Bo is in majority of the photos, either as the main subject or somewhere in the frame, but not all of them. This is not just about Bo, it is also about nature, and enjoying being there. As a collection all of the photos work, but if you look at individual photos there are a couple that may not stand well on their own.
For example there is a photo of Bo where the frame cuts Bo’s paws a little. This is not a great photograph, but it does work in relation with the rest. Luckily, shots like that one are very few. Most of them are very well taken, and there are even some that I would say are absolutely beautiful. One of the most striking photo is one of the last one in the book. It is a black and white photo with flowers in the foreground, and Bo in the background. There are also shots like the one that is on the cover. All in all I think the really good ones out number the lesser ones. I like the black and white photos better, but there are also good color photos there.
The book also has short poems that give the reader a slightly fuller picture of their relationship. I like this book a lot. I think it is a great view into the enjoyment of dog walking. On a more personal note there is one color shot of Bo sitting on a pier that reminds me so much of one of my dogs that are now gone. A dog that was difficult, and really really energetic, but one that I think I will always miss. As Bo is also gone, I suppose this is Sullivan’s way to deal with that loss, or that plays part in it at least. And Zen and the Art of Dog Walking is a beautiful way to remember a dog. I can recommend this book to any dog owner, wholeheartedly.
You can see a trailer for this book here, in it Sullivan talks about the making of the book, and you can see Bo in action. https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1110...
September 19, 2016
The author, Ray Sullivan, a new friend, gave me this book, and I'm so glad he did! Our mutual publisher calls this a coffee table book, but it's so much more than that. In free verse and photos, Ray tells the story of his nature-inspired walks with his rescue dog, Bo, and how these walks become vital to both of them. The photos, some color and some black-and-white, are gorgeous. The verse is meditative and captures the Zen feelings that develop in Ray during these walks. Lovely!
I'm a dog-lover, but haven't had a dog for several years. Ray's book made me long for another dog so I could experience the serenity he describes. This book is perfect for any dog- or nature-lover.
I'm a dog-lover, but haven't had a dog for several years. Ray's book made me long for another dog so I could experience the serenity he describes. This book is perfect for any dog- or nature-lover.
November 6, 2015
I found this lovely, beautifully photographed book easy to fall into. It is a compilation of photographs and musings by G. Ray Sullivan, gathered while he walked his beloved rescued dog along the shores and through the woods surrounding his family home on West Point Lake in LaGrange, Ga. Sullivan's photos are enchanting and elegant, and his love for "Bo" shines through in every image. The narration is simple and almost sparse, poetic really. Think William Carlos Williams walking in the woods. I will re-read this gem many times.
November 7, 2020
'Zen and the Art of Dog Walking' by G. Ray Sullivan, Jr. is a soulful story about friendship, renewal and a beautiful journey "...where because of the quiet everything amplified the power and the glory of our natural world exploding in silence upon our senses"-
Sullivan's photography is stunning. His photos have a mediative quality-telling a story and opening a window into the soulfulness of a dog and a man as they learn to "see with eyes wide open" the glories and wonders in nature.
I love this book and recommend it to anyone who has ever loved a dog, a man and nature.
Sullivan's photography is stunning. His photos have a mediative quality-telling a story and opening a window into the soulfulness of a dog and a man as they learn to "see with eyes wide open" the glories and wonders in nature.
I love this book and recommend it to anyone who has ever loved a dog, a man and nature.
January 17, 2016
I loved this book, the pictures were absolutely beautiful and the text captioned the pictures perfectly. This would make a great gift for the dog lovers in your life!
July 29, 2021
Nice book. Does well at capturing the peace of being out in nature walking the dog. The short notes he add just add to that feeling. Pictures are nice. Not spectacular, just nice and peaceful. Good book to pick up and get that feeling from. I like how it is his own thoughts, there are a lot of books that copy other usually well known quotes on dogs and add some nice pictures.
On the other hand, you could just take your own dog out for a walk out in nature and get the real deal.
As far as how it compares with other similar books, I thought the pictures and musings in 'I & Dog' by the Monks of New Skete, were more profound and meaningful. I would recommend it more than all other similar picture + quotes/musings than others.
I especially liked one quote from Zen and the Art of Dog Walking:
it is always
a walk for me
for Bo
it can be
a walk
a run
a swim
a hunt
a kill
a chase
a game
a skeletal discovery
a bath in the rancid scent
of some species
dead or alive
- G. Ray Sullivan, Jr. ‘Zen and the art of dog walking’
On the other hand, you could just take your own dog out for a walk out in nature and get the real deal.
As far as how it compares with other similar books, I thought the pictures and musings in 'I & Dog' by the Monks of New Skete, were more profound and meaningful. I would recommend it more than all other similar picture + quotes/musings than others.
I especially liked one quote from Zen and the Art of Dog Walking:
it is always
a walk for me
for Bo
it can be
a walk
a run
a swim
a hunt
a kill
a chase
a game
a skeletal discovery
a bath in the rancid scent
of some species
dead or alive
- G. Ray Sullivan, Jr. ‘Zen and the art of dog walking’
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews