From Marley and Me to Cesar's Way, millions of dog owners eagerly seek out great dog stories that yield keen behavioural insights, and one of their favourite new sources is DogTown, the National Geographic Channel's latest hit show. Now, DogTown's most moving stories and challenging cases are collected in this book to evoke both the joy and the occasional, but inevitable, heartbreak that accompanies the important work of saving homeless dogs. Focusing both on the relationships between dogs and people and on the latest discoveries in animal health and behavior, the book features 12 of DogTown's most memorable cases. Each chapter follows one dog--often considered unadoptable by other shelters - from the first days at DogTown, through assessment and treatment, to the whether the dog finds a forever home outside the shelter. Photographs of each dog trace its entire journey at DogTown and chart its progress from beginning to end. DogTown's veterinarians, trainers, and experts who are featured on the show contribute essays on their most meaningful moments in working with animals. Interwoven in each story is the science behind the therapy. We learn how dogs process information, how trauma can affect them, and what can be done to help them. We see how DogTown's veterinarians investigate illness and the great lengths to which they will go to heal the injured and sick. We see the strong bonds and relationships that form between dog and caregiver, and how that bond can help each one to grow and thrive. In the end, we come to see that with patience, care, and compassion, people can help dogs to heal. The dogs themselves come from many backgrounds: Some are high-profile cases, like the Vicktory Dogs, fighting dogs rescued from the property of former NFL-quarterback Michael Vick. Some rescues come from as far away as Ethiopia and Lebanon, while others have been rescued from hoarders and puppy mills in the United States. Many suffer from mysterious illnesses, serious injuries, or antisocial behaviours that discourage potential adoptions. But good fortune led them to Best Friends and the dedicated people there devoted to helping them recover, live better lives, and find welcoming homes.
DogTown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption
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Stefan Bechtel is a veteran storyteller, a founding editor of Men's Health US; and a contributor to Esquire and the Washington Post; and the author of seven books on conservation, health, investment, and severe weather. His books have sold more than two million copies and have been translated into eight languages.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By John Vincent
Format:Paperback
Hi There.
I have just today, in the train, were I read books, finish the book, in the last chapter it was hard not to cry, because every chapter in the book is about a new dog, at Dogtown, I will recomend it for all that have a heart for dogs, who havent got a light start in their lives, and then come to Dogtown, were all these fantastic people are working, to make these dogs, a better dog, the people at dogtown also taking care of all kind of animals that need helps.
They are trying to find all these dogs a place they can call home
What a amazing book, I will remember it for a long time.
John de la Bruyère Vincent
Denmark
I have just today, in the train, were I read books, finish the book, in the last chapter it was hard not to cry, because every chapter in the book is about a new dog, at Dogtown, I will recomend it for all that have a heart for dogs, who havent got a light start in their lives, and then come to Dogtown, were all these fantastic people are working, to make these dogs, a better dog, the people at dogtown also taking care of all kind of animals that need helps.
They are trying to find all these dogs a place they can call home
What a amazing book, I will remember it for a long time.
John de la Bruyère Vincent
Denmark
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I saw this book on Amazon, I could not resist buying it. We have always had rescue dogs and it is something I feel very strongly about.
(I purchased the Hard Back copy, not Paperback as it has automatically shown at the top of my review)
As I see it, in this world we live in there is very little care about animals, what with poaching etc of wild animals. Dogs seem to be part of our 'throw away' society and they (the dogs) do not deserve the horrid treatment and bad media reporting that they are subject to these days.
This book is like reading about an American version of our old established UK Charity "Dogs Trust" (formerly National Canine Defence League). Both Best Friends Animal Society (the Society that runs and owns Dog Town) and our own Dogs Trust, have the same ethos and aims.
As you journey through Dogs Town in Kanab, Utah, via the pages of this book, you will appreciate how hard EVERYONE works to save, rehabilitate, care for and generally create happy lives for these dogs. Dogs that have been dumped or lost their homes through no fault of their own.
You will visit the kennel of 'Georgia' the Pit Bull Terrier who was one of Michael Vicks fighting dogs.
You will meet 'Scruffy' and 'Ava', made homeless by Hurricane Katrina, but who survived the storm and were lucky enough to be taken to Dogs Town.
You will meet 'Annie', who through fear made 1 wrong decision which nearly cost the dog her life. She was luck to be taken in by Best Friends and rehabilitated at Dogs Town.
You will meet 'Mr Bones' the skinny stray picked up from the street of Puerto Rico in 1995. He lived at Dogs Town for 12 years where the carers never gave up hope that he could be rehabilitated and re-homed.
Meet 'Johnnie' the Golden Retriever who had been a Puppy Farm dog, whose owners had purchased from a pet shop and gave up on him because they thought he was stupid and could not learn. 'Johnnie' went to Dogs Town where his goofiness endeared him to the staff there.
Meet these and lost of other interesting and challenging dogs as you read about Dogs Town. Throughout the book you will see photos of the carers there and of the dogs. It is a brilliant book that will tear at your heart but at the same time will make you realise that all dogs deserve a chance and most can be re-homed after re-training. You will want to reach out to those dedicated people who were the founders of Best Friends and all who work at Dogs Town. True stories of lives that you will not forget.
(I purchased the Hard Back copy, not Paperback as it has automatically shown at the top of my review)
As I see it, in this world we live in there is very little care about animals, what with poaching etc of wild animals. Dogs seem to be part of our 'throw away' society and they (the dogs) do not deserve the horrid treatment and bad media reporting that they are subject to these days.
This book is like reading about an American version of our old established UK Charity "Dogs Trust" (formerly National Canine Defence League). Both Best Friends Animal Society (the Society that runs and owns Dog Town) and our own Dogs Trust, have the same ethos and aims.
As you journey through Dogs Town in Kanab, Utah, via the pages of this book, you will appreciate how hard EVERYONE works to save, rehabilitate, care for and generally create happy lives for these dogs. Dogs that have been dumped or lost their homes through no fault of their own.
You will visit the kennel of 'Georgia' the Pit Bull Terrier who was one of Michael Vicks fighting dogs.
You will meet 'Scruffy' and 'Ava', made homeless by Hurricane Katrina, but who survived the storm and were lucky enough to be taken to Dogs Town.
You will meet 'Annie', who through fear made 1 wrong decision which nearly cost the dog her life. She was luck to be taken in by Best Friends and rehabilitated at Dogs Town.
You will meet 'Mr Bones' the skinny stray picked up from the street of Puerto Rico in 1995. He lived at Dogs Town for 12 years where the carers never gave up hope that he could be rehabilitated and re-homed.
Meet 'Johnnie' the Golden Retriever who had been a Puppy Farm dog, whose owners had purchased from a pet shop and gave up on him because they thought he was stupid and could not learn. 'Johnnie' went to Dogs Town where his goofiness endeared him to the staff there.
Meet these and lost of other interesting and challenging dogs as you read about Dogs Town. Throughout the book you will see photos of the carers there and of the dogs. It is a brilliant book that will tear at your heart but at the same time will make you realise that all dogs deserve a chance and most can be re-homed after re-training. You will want to reach out to those dedicated people who were the founders of Best Friends and all who work at Dogs Town. True stories of lives that you will not forget.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
66 reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This one will make you proud
29 Sep 2009
By Charles M. Nobles
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book is a collection of stories written by both paid staff and volunteers at the Best Frieds Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, about their experiences with dogs that most of society cannot or will not help in their time of most need.
My wife and I have visited the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah numerous times and as volunteers worked with their staff and other volunteers in Mississippi and Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina. We have seen first hand the dedication and professionalism of the Best Friends organization and know the stories in this collection are not make believe. These are the real thing and the amazing thing is they do it day in and day out.
As the title suggests the stories, included in fifteen chapters, deal with the rescue, rehabilitation, and redemption efforts of the Best Friends group in the face of what is sometimes overwhelming odds. You will meet the aftermath of NFL star Michael Vick's shameful activities and the heroic efforts to salvage the dogs he tortured and maimed; the story of Rush, the dog sent to Best Friends "Dogtown" in Kanab from the Lebanon war zone is amazing and will renew your faith in humanity; and the story of the last days of Bruno will forever remain in your mind. These are just a few of the stories that illustrate the work and mission of this remarkable group of people that deal with animals that have literally looked into the face of evil.
This is not a touchy-feely type book. It is the story of people with soul that not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to animal welfare. More and more books about animals are being published every year but this one is the real thing. This book will make you proud and give you hope in the face of what increasingly seems to be overwhelming odds in what is truly saintly work; the rescue, rehabilitation, and redemption of those that cannot help themselves.
Highly recommended.
My wife and I have visited the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah numerous times and as volunteers worked with their staff and other volunteers in Mississippi and Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina. We have seen first hand the dedication and professionalism of the Best Friends organization and know the stories in this collection are not make believe. These are the real thing and the amazing thing is they do it day in and day out.
As the title suggests the stories, included in fifteen chapters, deal with the rescue, rehabilitation, and redemption efforts of the Best Friends group in the face of what is sometimes overwhelming odds. You will meet the aftermath of NFL star Michael Vick's shameful activities and the heroic efforts to salvage the dogs he tortured and maimed; the story of Rush, the dog sent to Best Friends "Dogtown" in Kanab from the Lebanon war zone is amazing and will renew your faith in humanity; and the story of the last days of Bruno will forever remain in your mind. These are just a few of the stories that illustrate the work and mission of this remarkable group of people that deal with animals that have literally looked into the face of evil.
This is not a touchy-feely type book. It is the story of people with soul that not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to animal welfare. More and more books about animals are being published every year but this one is the real thing. This book will make you proud and give you hope in the face of what increasingly seems to be overwhelming odds in what is truly saintly work; the rescue, rehabilitation, and redemption of those that cannot help themselves.
Highly recommended.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational and amazing stories
23 Sep 2009
By Jennifer Smith
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
There are lots of dog owners, but not all of them are dog LOVERS. The difference between the average dog owner, who sees his pet as something that has little more value than a chair he owns, is worlds apart from a dog lover, who cherishes his animals and always wants the best for them. Dog lovers make up the population of Dog Town, and they get to tell their stories about dogs they have cared for and rehabilitated over the yrs.
The book starts out with the sad story of Georgia, one of Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennel pits that was trained fron puppyhood to maim and kill. Vick and his kind treat the dogs in a way that make Hannibal Lecter look like a sweetheart. If ESPN played videos of dog fights and how the dogs are treated, I doubt there would be any supporters for Vick and his second chance in the NFL. Dog Town took many of Vick's dogs against the advice of other animal groups who believed they could not be retrained.
The people at Dog Town are heroes in every sense of the word, and this book inspired me to work harder in my own community for the welfare of dogs. I also gleaned information about training techniques for dogs that are shy or have food aggression. This is not a dog training book per se, but the stories give examples of how the people try to reward good behavior and dampen negative behavior.
If you are a dog LOVER, you will love this book and want to get a second job so you can send them lots of money every month to keep Dog Town going!
The book starts out with the sad story of Georgia, one of Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennel pits that was trained fron puppyhood to maim and kill. Vick and his kind treat the dogs in a way that make Hannibal Lecter look like a sweetheart. If ESPN played videos of dog fights and how the dogs are treated, I doubt there would be any supporters for Vick and his second chance in the NFL. Dog Town took many of Vick's dogs against the advice of other animal groups who believed they could not be retrained.
The people at Dog Town are heroes in every sense of the word, and this book inspired me to work harder in my own community for the welfare of dogs. I also gleaned information about training techniques for dogs that are shy or have food aggression. This is not a dog training book per se, but the stories give examples of how the people try to reward good behavior and dampen negative behavior.
If you are a dog LOVER, you will love this book and want to get a second job so you can send them lots of money every month to keep Dog Town going!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Working for a better society, one animal at a time
28 Mar 2010
By Linda Bulger
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Anyone familiar with Best Friends Animal Society will know what to expect from DogTown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption. The Best Friends magazine and website are absolutely top notch in production values, and this book is equally effective. If you are a dog lover, prepare for a full court press on your emotions when you read this book. The techniques that have been so effective in spreading the Best Friends message are in evidence here, making for a highly readable book.
Best Friends is a leader in the no-kill movement and works on all fronts to rescue, rehabilitate and redeem animals. The Society was well positioned for rapid response to Hurricane Katrina and some of the dogs featured in the book came from that devastated area. Best Friends owns and leases nearly 38,000 acres of land in Utah, boundaried by some of the nation's most glorious national parks, in a canyon formerly used for filming Westerns. There they run the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where 2,000 animals make their (hopefully temporary) homes and 4,500 people volunteer every year. The canine section, Dogtown, is well-known as the subject and site of National Geographic TV program of the same name.
The goal for all Best Friends animals is a "forever home"--in other words, adoption. Their basic principle is that no animal is too handicapped, unsocialized, aggressive, or unappealing to be rehabilitated and placed in a home. The stories are told by Best Friends workers, veterinarians, volunteers and supporters, and feature dogs from many backgrounds, many of them rescued from hoarders, puppy mills, or dog fighting operations. The book opens with the sad story of football player Michael Vick's fighting dogs. The reader's tears of sympathy for the dogs are tempered by the happy endings, and each story also highlights some aspect of the society's work. A highly effective mix, and a fascinating glimpse into the methods used to undo the damage some of these dogs have suffered.
There is a brief mention of Best Friends' origin in a group of seekers who "dropped out" during the 1960s. The history of the organization would be a story of its own, but this book is beautifully complete in its focus on today's work and the dogs who benefit from it. The society believes that kindness to animals leads to a better society, and this moving little book makes that goal seem both worthwhile and attainable. Well done, Dogtown!
Best Friends is a leader in the no-kill movement and works on all fronts to rescue, rehabilitate and redeem animals. The Society was well positioned for rapid response to Hurricane Katrina and some of the dogs featured in the book came from that devastated area. Best Friends owns and leases nearly 38,000 acres of land in Utah, boundaried by some of the nation's most glorious national parks, in a canyon formerly used for filming Westerns. There they run the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where 2,000 animals make their (hopefully temporary) homes and 4,500 people volunteer every year. The canine section, Dogtown, is well-known as the subject and site of National Geographic TV program of the same name.
The goal for all Best Friends animals is a "forever home"--in other words, adoption. Their basic principle is that no animal is too handicapped, unsocialized, aggressive, or unappealing to be rehabilitated and placed in a home. The stories are told by Best Friends workers, veterinarians, volunteers and supporters, and feature dogs from many backgrounds, many of them rescued from hoarders, puppy mills, or dog fighting operations. The book opens with the sad story of football player Michael Vick's fighting dogs. The reader's tears of sympathy for the dogs are tempered by the happy endings, and each story also highlights some aspect of the society's work. A highly effective mix, and a fascinating glimpse into the methods used to undo the damage some of these dogs have suffered.
There is a brief mention of Best Friends' origin in a group of seekers who "dropped out" during the 1960s. The history of the organization would be a story of its own, but this book is beautifully complete in its focus on today's work and the dogs who benefit from it. The society believes that kindness to animals leads to a better society, and this moving little book makes that goal seem both worthwhile and attainable. Well done, Dogtown!
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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