Customer Reviews

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

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4 star:		(1)
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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!!

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.

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.

Written by the founder and president of Stray Rescue in St. Louis, Missouri, who won the first Guardian Award for his work to save homeless and maltreated animals, Miracle Dog is the true story of a dog who survived a shelter gas chamber to become the author's beloved companion, personal inspiration, and the "poster child" for a no-kill animal shelter movement. Narrated candidly, offering a glimpse behind the scenes to the cruelties mankind inflicts on his so-called "best friend", Miracle Dog is a profoundly heart-touching story with a resonating moral not only for animal lovers, but also humans who understand that how we treat animals influences how we treat each other. Black-and-white photographs, a list of resources and no-kill shelter locations, and a foreword by renowned wildlife scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall round out this ultimately positive testimony.

Grim tells the compelling story of the incredible survival of this Basenji mix dog. Running alongside the events surrounding Quentin's survival, adoption, and subsequent publicity are two secondary themes. The first: the appauling conditions and statistics regarding stray and feral dog populations in U.S. cities and the antiquated methods in which some humane organizations still operate. The second: Grim's personal battle with fear and panic attacks and how his dedication to the cause of saving abandoned animals aided his own healing. An well written, inspirational and eye-opening account all animal lovers will enjoy.

I just finished reading Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived The Gas Chamber To Speak For Animals On Death Row. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I found it both funny and sad. Randy Grim's personal stories make for some great reading. It's also a real eye opener about what goes on in shelters around the country. A definite "must read" for everyone. I highly recommend it.

I laughed, I cried, and I laughed again. Randy and Quentin will be my forever heroes. A couple of chapters were hard to read - not because the author didn't write them well, but because reality is often painful. I tried to imagine what Randy went through during his research for this book and I am overwhelmed with admiration for both Quentin and Randy. Well done!

The miracle of Quentin's survival is quite amazing and how he has gone on to be a national celebrity fighting for a more humane shelter system and encouraging people to adopt from a shelter. Randy, Quentin's guardian, is amazing as well. Here is a man with all sorts of social phobia's who ends up with a celebrity dog and has to overcome his own fears to handle the public and media...really a story about two miracles.

I had many good belly laughs about Quentin's antics and appetite while reading the book. This is a quick read because it is so entertaining.

The humor is balanced by the reality check that our animal welfare system is broken and the casualness in which the public views euthanasia needs to change. Was shocked by the statistics in this book....makes America and some humane societies seem caught in the 1950's level of consciousness. Interesting to learn that all Humane Society's are independent of each other and that a rare few are actually a no kill shelter like Stray Rescue in St. Louis.

I highly recommend this book.

A great story about the Miracle Dog - heartfelt and emotional. The book itself could use some reorganization and definitely needs someone to spell and grammar check it. Was disappointed with the quality of the copy, but the story was too good to not give 4 stars to.

This is the book to buy. What a wonderful book to write about a dog that has been through several struggles and survived. I would read all of her books that she writes. Great reviews....