Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row [Paperback]

Randy Grim (Author), Jane Goodall (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1577790715 | ISBN-13: 978-1577790716 | Publication Date: February 2005

The day Randy Grim got a phone call from a St. Louis animal shelter worker pleading with him to take yet another unwanted dog to his no-kill shelter, he had no idea that the dog would change his entire life. The dog had survived a horrifying procedure still practiced in some animal shelters: "euthanasia" by carbon monoxide gas poisoning. The account of Quentin's ordeal and the crusades Grim and Quentin have undertaken on behalf of abandoned animals is sobering, hilarious, and ultimately uplifting.

Grim and Quentin have appeared on numerous television shows including Today Show, Animal Planet, It's a Miracle, CNN, MSNBC, CBS News, CBS Early Show, Access Hollywood and in People Magazine, National Geographic, Forbes and Guideposts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a straightforward and compelling description of the challenges and opportunities in providing help for America's unwanted and abandoned animals." -- (Elise Lufkin, Author, Found Dogs and Second Chances)

"A truly exceptional read, the finest example of a genre, a book with which the reviewer can find no fault." -- The Blether Gold Award 10/10

"Narrated candidly, offering a glimpse behind the scenes to the cruelties mankind inflicts on his so-called "best friend..." -- Midwest Book Review, August 2005

"Quentin and Randy's story resonates with all of us who strive for the day when the killing stops..." -- (Faith Maloney, co-founder, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary)

"Through 30 years of reviewing pet books, I can't remember one that has left such a lasting impression" -- Ranny Green, The Seattle Times

"With action, humor and skillful detail, Randy Grim captures the life-and-death situations faced by animal rescue workers everyday." -- (Diane West, Publisher, New York Tails magazine)

From the Publisher

A portion of the sales of this book will be donated to no-kill shelters.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Blue Ribbon Books (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577790715
• ISBN-13: 978-1577790716
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Pet Loss

More About the Author

Biography

Randy Grim: The catch phrase for Randy Grim is "unlikely hero." For over a decade, Grim has called national attention to the scourge of abandoned, feral, and wild street dogs. He has achieved national media attention, changed legislation, appeared in national television programs, and consulted with local, state, and federal policy makers and animal welfare organizations throughout the United States.
Grim's introduction to the national scene came with The Man Who Talks to Dogs: America's wild street dogs and their unlikely savior, published by St. Martin's Press in 2002 followed by the paperback in 2004.
The Atlantic Monthly described The Man Who Talks to Dogs as "... really two books: a touching if not terribly insightful portrait of a young man who has devoted his life to rescuing the street dogs of St. Louis, and a harrowing report on the plight of the millions of abandoned and stray dogs throughout the United States." Likewise, the San Francisco Chronicle called it "...an unforgettable and honest literary portrait of an unlikely hero," and the Seattle Times a "deeply affecting portrait."
Grim soon followed with his own book, Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row, published by Blue Ribbon Books in 2005. The book, which includes a Forward by Dr. Jane Goodall, was nominated as the best general non-fiction dog book for 2005 by Westminster and The Animal Writers Association, and received numerous national accolades including the "IPPY."
Both books have just been optioned by award winning producer, Norman Stephens. With The Man Who Talks to Dogs now becoming a major motion picture about Grim.
Of Grim's book, Seattle Times reviewer Ranny Green stated, "Through 30 years of reviewing pet books, I can't remember one that has left such a lasting impression," while the Midwest Book Review wrote the following: "Narrated candidly, offering a glimpse behind the scenes to the cruelties mankind inflicts on his so-called 'best friend...'"
As the founder and director of Stray Rescue, Grim and his staff have received the Red Cross Life Saver Award and the St. Louis FOCUS award for "innovative solutions." He also received the Guardian Award with Dr. Jane Goodall in October 2003. Best Friends Animal Society honored Grim in true Hollywood fashion at the Hollywood Palladium for the Chrissie Award this year. Alive Magazine is featuring Grim as one of their top 25 "most buzzed about people" for 2009!
Grim is featured on Animal Planet, National Geographic, History Channel, People Magazine, The Today Show, PAX Television, CNN, and The Weather Channel. Grim also hosts a popular syndicated Midwest radio talk show and is currently working on a national series. Grim just did a guest spot on the hit series Dog Town and he is in the process of also filming a television documentary for the History Channel. His new book Don't Dump the Dog hits the bookshelves August 1st 2009

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Miracle that Keeps on Giving, February 14, 2006

By 

C. Ward "dog lover" (OK, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row (Paperback)

This was a great story about a dog who survived an animal shelter gas chamber and lived to tell about it with the help of Randy Grim. No dog has ever survived the gas chamber in St. Louis, but Quentin did - named after the infamous Sam Quentin. Quentin was one of the millions given up by his guardians, more like sentenced to death by his guardians. If it weren't for Randy Grim's incredible work with the St. Louis Stray Rescue, Quentin would've survived the chamber only to put back in. But that wasn't the case. Randy was called and claimed Quentin, who became a nationwide spokes-dog championing no-kill shelters. Thanks to Randy and Quentin, St. Louis replaced the gas chamber (where animals truly suffered at the end of their lives) in their animal shelters with HUMANE euthanasia. Hopefully some day it will be a no-kill shelter, along with every animal shelter in this country.

I enjoyed reading it because the story is incredible and happy, it causes you to want to do something about the nationwide epidemic of homeless pets, the humor in the book made me laugh out loud, and it includes pictures (Quentin is adorable!).

"The Man Who Talks to Dogs" is definitely recommended as well!!

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gripping and heartwarming, April 22, 2005

By 

Deborah Straw "author" (Burlington, Vermont United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row (Paperback)

Miracle Dog is a fabulous read and an eye opener. If you don't know how many thousands of homeless dogs and cats are killed in this country, read this book to discover the cruel facts. Grim has written a warm and sometimes funny book about Quentin, truly a miracle dog, and about their relationship. Also included are lots of statistics about where and how so many of our "best friends" end out their lives. This should be required reading for all dog lovers and for all people who are thinking of adopting a dog for the first time.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Eye Opener, February 25, 2005

By 

Nom de Stylo (Le Monde) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row (Paperback)

This is an unusual book in that on one hand I laughed so hard at Quentin's antics, and on the other hand I was horrified by the accounts and statistics of the less fortunate animals. Quentin, as you may know, survived being sent to the gas chamber. His subsequent advetnures are hilarious.

After his miracle, Quentin came to live with his dad, Randy Grim, who runs a no-kill animal shelter, Stray Rescue. Grim has seen it all when it comes to rescuing stray and feral dogs and cats and shares the shocking stories with the reader.

One of the most amusing aspects of the book is the unlikely pairing of Quentin and Randy. Quentin is an outgoing pooch who loves the spotlight and all the attention and trappings that go with it. Randy is shy, harbors many phobias, and would rather avoid the public and spend his time rescuing animals. With Quentin tugging Randy out of the shadows, together they have traveled the country, first-class of course, speaking out on behalf of our "disposable" pets, spreading the message of animal guardianship, and waking us up to the gruesome statistics of euthinization.

This is a great read - in fact, I read it in one sitting. Animal lovers will applaud Randy and Quentin. Casual readers will enjoy the humor and star-studded appearances.