Customer Reviews

Getting Lucky: How One Special Dog Found Love and a Second Chance at Angel's Gate

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Getting Lucky by Susan Marino is special to me since my teenage sons and I have been volunteering at Angel's Gate Animal Hospice since December of 2001. I know many of the animals mentioned in the book, although I never met Lucky, but feel now that I have.

Angel's Gate is a very special place lovingly run by a very special person, Susan Marino. Even if you are not a very spiritual person, you can feel the spirit of all the animals, alive and with us and those that are no longer. It's a peaceful place that is not at all depressing. On the contrary, when you leave Angel's Gate you feel at once invigorated, replenished, and at peace. Getting Lucky captures the feel of Angel's Gate, the dedication of Susan Marino and the unique and special relationship she and Vic have with all the animals that live and have lived and died there. What a wonderful, heartfelt book about such a special place. I intend to give a copy to all my animal-lover friends so that they can begin to understand the magic of Angel's Gate.

As a holistic veterinarian and author (8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats,) I truly enjoyed this heart-warming story about hospice care. While so many easily give up on "hopeless" pets, we should always strive to offer ALL pets a humane, respectable life, regardless of age or disability. I'm also pleased that sales of the book help fund Susan's ongoing work with Angel's gate, and hope this book becomes a best seller so she can keep up her special work!

Shawn Messonnier DVM
(...)

This was an excellent book. I met Susan today for the first time. She gave me a copy of her book and I sat down to read a few chapters, and two hours later I had finished it. I definitely had tears to my eyes and it amazes me how so many animals can be cared for by such loving people!! I believe it takes a very special person to care for that many animals who require so much time and Susan is surely the most patient, laid back person I have ever met. Anyone who loves animals needs to read this book!! It was EXCELLENT!! Thanks for everything you have done!

Even if you dont have a pet but like animals this is a must read...

I dont have a pet now but have had them growing up as a child. Absolutely Love this book and the touching stories...I laughed and cried and sometimes at the same time... The only bad thing about this book, is that I finished it. I wanted it to go on and on and to read more of the wonder of these wonderful animals...I feel that animals are a gift we can learn so much from them. I agree with Susan Marino the Author. Our pets have souls. They show it daily. I need for there to be a second book and on and on. The love you feel when you read about these animals (pets) is so tangible. Its not so sad as you would think but I came away reading it with feeling uplifted and it truly touched my spirit...I almost didnt buy this book I thought it was about just one dog but its soooooo much more then that and its woven richly with other pets this family and volunteer"s have helped see to there end days. What an honor to read this gem of a book. Thank you Sincerely yours Diane

Getting Lucky is the best book I ever read! It tells the story of Lucky-a dog who is sent to Angel's Gate to die but instead finds a whole new way to live. Each animal has taught a lesson and/or touched a heart. All of the illustrations are beautiful. Every animal in this book is about their story and Lucky's as well. I had never met Lucky, but I believe that dog had so much spirit and courage through his last stage of life.
Even though all of the animals are "special needs" animals, they go to Angel's Gate to live out their days in peace, dignity and love. Every animal that enters through the "gate" is always given a second chance. But, when they die they go to an even better place as Angels. Every animal is ALLways going to be loved where ever they are. There is a place for every animal at Angel's Gate to be in my heart and all of their memories.

This Is an AMAZING and INSPIRING book. It teaches you that birth and death are the same. When you die, you are born into a whole new world, Heaven. To never give up. Take Brutus. Brutus is a rottweiller that weighs 165 lb. One day while on a walk he collapsed. He couldn't walk, susan spent every day in her pool doing therapy with Brutus even on Christmas Eve! And because of her hard work and determination, Brutus now walks but he still has trouble. And Lucky, I can't even explain Lucky. He is just the most inspiring dog. Every good work on the planet wouldn't be enough to fill the jar that says " Describing Lucky". Please buy it and read it because there,at angels gate, first its work then success, The only place success comes before work...................... is in the dictionary. go to: www.angelsgate.org and see how you can help or even volunteer to help these animals grow strong.

Perhaps Susan Marino spins a tidy yarn to sell books but Angels Gate is under investigation for animal neglect and cruelty by PETA. There is a documentary about Angels Gate neglectful ways. (if you can watch animals suffer).
The recent publication of PETA's magazine features an article on Angels Gate. Not that I support PETA but they have certainly opened some eyes in this circumstance. You can't fake this level of blatant abuse.
There are Internet articles and Facebook pages also dedicated to revealing the truth about what goes on at Angels Gate when no one is looking.
If you want to support the facade' that Marino has created, then buy this book. If you love animals you'll join the movement to have Angels Gate closed and locked.

I recieved the book Getting Lucky for a X-mas present from my Mom being the pet lover that I am, and have to say it is one of the best books I have ever read. Not only is it well written, but it includes pictures of the animals! I felt like I was there, everything was described so wonderfully. This is definately a great gift for any pet lover!!! This book tells of the individual personalities of each animal being taken care of by Susan Marino a nurse that quit her job to become devoted to taking care of animals that were in need of special care and alot of TLC. She is truly an Angel. This book is a real page turner once you start--you won't be able to put it down!!!

After reading the glowing reviews (they really are stellar), I decided to buy the book sight unseen for my sister who lost two dogs, aged 16 and 17 within weeks of each other and a cat two months later. She grieves still, of course. Feeling unable to console her, I found this. And the response of other animal lovers (I have had many dogs throughout my life and currently have a beagle and a silly putty tat). I'm hoping my sister finds some spiritual guidance. I feel she will.
By the way, since I'm here, my beagle is 10 years old, and has suffered with Cushing's Disease for 14-18 months. We've been struggling with western meds and I am just so frustrated as she continues to look more and more beaten up every day.
Anyone out there reading whose been through this with anything other than a grim result?
If so, please, please respond to me (jamie0916@hotmail.com).
I'd be entirely grateful. My name is Michael.
Happy Holidays, all.

'Getting Lucky' is a 'feel good' book, which captures the true meaning of unconditional love. Sue and her staff give their all for the residents of Angel's Gate, where numerous species live in harmony. This book is full of wonderful, touching stories and wil make you a believer in the power of hope.