Reviews

A brief collection of heartwarming histories of dogs fostered and adopted through shelters founded and maintained by animal lovers in Houston. Turbo, Scout, Scruffy, Merlin and Ike—to name just a few—are heroes of these happily ever-after tales, which might have ended sadly were it not for Lee and her colleagues at Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) and Rover Oaks Pet Resorts. Turbo is a small black poodle who’s so energetic that he bounces all over the furniture. Lee falls in love with him and takes him home. Later she discovers that he has ruptured ligaments in his knees, so he undergoes multiple surgeries, biopsies, physical therapy and acupuncture. Scout is a pit bull mix with remarkably sad eyes, found wandering the streets. Many shelters will not take pit bulls because of their bad reputation, but Scout finds a foster home at CAP and a good Samaritan willing to pay for his medical needs. He has heartworm—as do many strays—and needs to undergo lengthy treatments and be kept quiet and isolated. Keeping him calm turns out to be a challenge, since he tries repeatedly to climb out of his enclosure. After eight months he is finally adopted by a family experienced in working with pit bulls. All the dogs have medical and/or behavior problems and all require investments of love and patience—and, of course, time and money—if they are to become happy, well-adjusted family pets. The stories are well told, and the dogs and their circumstances are different enough to hold the reader’s interest. Also of interest are the comments about the challenges associated with different breeds, and with rescue animals in general, since many have been abused or neglected and have developed antisocial behaviors.

Those who foster and care for these shelter dogs—and the families who adopt them, work with them and refuse to give up on them—are inspiring. A charming, useful book of special interest to dog lovers.

- Kirkus Discoveries Reviews