Canine Caper : Real Life Tales of a Female Pet Vigilante [Hardcover]

Rose Block (Author), Delilah Ahrendt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

Sharon Curry is seeking a cause she could believe in, when she spots a little gray puppy that changes her life forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Before an encounter with an abused mother dog and puppy that changed her life, Block led an ordinary life: she lived with her somewhat estranged husband and a couple of cats, had an accounting job she supposedly enjoyed, and two daughters, both in college. After finding the dogs in a back alley, she becomes a full-time dog rescuer almost overnight, quitting her job and risking her safety, her marriage and the family livelihood. The dogs reminded her of a cat from her lonely orphanage childhood who was, at the time, "her only friend." Freed from the constraints of employment, Block spends most of her waking hours and money picking up, even stealing, abused dogs and bringing them to animal hospitals. She tries to find homes for them, too, with varying degrees of success. Her husband, Bob, is skeptical about her mission, even threatening to leave her if she doesn't give up the dogs. The writers provide few clues about Block no physical description, age or reference to women friends portraying only her newfound obsession. Still, they do convince us to care about these dogs and their survival, as well as the peculiar woman who has made their rescue her life's work. More like an adventure novel than a memoir, this work is written in simple language that should appeal to both adult and teen readers.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Frustrated by the lack of response from animal-welfare agencies, Block takes matters into her own hands to rescue stray, neglected, and abused dogs even if that means theft or jeopardizing her own safety. From the first page, readers are plunged into a detailed, dramatic adventure to save Hardwin and Wiggles, a German shepherd and a puppy. Primarily, the author uses dialogue to move the story forward, but the necessity to be anonymous for her own protection means there is minimal information on her background. This can be a little confusing. About a dozen black-and-white photographs of some of the dogs she has rescued are placed in a center section. Despite the ease with which this book can be read, it is recommended for mature students due to the grisly details, violence, and the lack of feeling that humans can show to the animals in their care.

Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882821970
• ISBN-13: 978-0882821979
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,838,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The world no one cares about, April 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Canine Caper: Real-Life Tales of a Female Pet Vigilante (Paperback)

I stumbled across this book and almost didn't buy it because I knew it would make me bawl like a baby. I wasn't wrong.

Having worked organized rescue, I've seen some horrible situations. I'm not sure anyone can fully understand the horrors of a puppy mill without not having been to one and pulled dogs out.

Animals are abused and neglected every day. And sadly, in most states, such a thing is a misdemeanor at best. A misdemeanor that no one wants to bother enforcing. The fact that animals are often times after thoughts, disposable pieces of garbage that people can toss away without a glance back seems to be unimportant to many people. And to those it does matter to, they often find themselves frustrated and at a loss when having to deal with the red tape and rules when it comes to trying to help these animals.

But at least those people try to help.

Someone earlier stated that helping one or two dogs doesn't help the big picture. Maybe not. But tell that to the dogs who found new homes and new lives.

Some folks may call Rose Block a vigilante. Personally I say more power to her. Even if you're not an animal person, how anyone could sit by and watch one be as horribly abused as she describes is beyond me. While the writing in this book is obviously not at a "professional" level, the story that is told is both gut wrenching and inspiring.

That being said, the world needs more people like Rose. People who understand that if we can't even care for the animals, how can we possibly care for ourselves?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Book Written by Simpletons, August 18, 2010

By 

L. Combs "buddagal" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canine Caper : Real Life Tales of a Female Pet Vigilante (Hardcover)

I'm an animal lover, and have been a rescuer, fosterer, and caretaker --not only of domestic pets, but abused wild animals as well. I love animal-rescue books, and have read (and own) hundreds. Even those written by amateurs are usually interesting, inspiring and heartening.

That said, I found this book (and its author) disappointing at best, and appalling at worst.

I do not impugn Ms. Block's motives, doubt her intentions, or insult the goodness of her heart. However, this is an absolutely TERRIBLE book.

Besides agreeing with every point already made by "A Customer" (who also gave this book one star, and whose insightful comments I gratefully need not repeat), this book seems to have been written by a simpleton. Ms. Block did not care to learn about improving official animal rescue and legislation; and her co-writer equalled this level of ignorance, in sheer lack of literary ability. To say that the characters were flat and events lifeless, is itself a flattering overstatement. What should have been harrowing middle-of-the-night rescues were rendered so inert, that they were frankly unbelievable. Even the dogs, in the throes of being rescued from dire straits, were boring! The people were so one-dimensional, they seemed little more than paper dolls; bare outlines on the page.

This book is going to the secondhand store, as quickly as I can get it out of the house.

If you want to read a GOOD animal-rescue book, read INSTEAD, "Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary" by Samantha Glen.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How much would you sacrifice?, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Canine Caper : Real Life Tales of a Female Pet Vigilante (Hardcover)

I've always had a soft spot for the underdog, the defenseless being that seems to suffer the most unwarranted abuse. Sharon Block's soft spot was for dogs. No matter where she found them, if they were suffering through no fault of their own, she was determined to change their lives.

What started as a horror she couldn't turn her back on, soon became an obsession and then a way of life. She gave up her job, her family time, even her home for these mistreated creatures. Her courage and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles are a testimony to just how much one person can accomplish to right a terrible wrong in a sometimes indifferent world.

The trials that the author, Delilah Ahrendt, suffered to bring this book to you would make a story in itself. She is to be commended for her persistance in the face of dubious representation and her dedication to bring you the true story of Rose Block. New Horizon Press is also to be commended for their earnest commitment to Ms Ahrendt and a story they believed in.

The lessons that Sharon Block learned are now being passed along to many. The unforgettable events of a September morning speak of bravery, selfless commitment and sacrifice. Read this book, share in the inspiring story and then ask yourself what you are willing to sacrifice so that others might know freedom from pain and despair.