When you meet Baby, the first thing you notice is her limp. She only has three legs, you see -- she lost one following years of mistreatment at a puppy mill. But spend a little more time with Baby and her irrepressible "Ma," Jana Kohl, and you'll hear the story of how this gentle creature has gone from puppy-mill victim to celebrity "spokesdog" -- hobnobbing with celebrities, lobbying politicians, and inspiring an entire movement to end the kind of animal abuse she suffered for so many years. Several years ago, Jana decided she wanted to buy a toy poodle. But the nightmarish conditions she was confronted with at a breeder's farm -- hundreds of dogs confined to small, dirty cages for their entire lives until they were killed for the crime of being too old to produce puppies -- opened her eyes to abuses in the world of commercial breeding. There are thousands of puppy mills all across the United States, and most of those cute little puppies in pet store windows are products of such nightmarish places. Jana knew this was a wrong she couldn't ignore. Her first step was to adopt a rescued adult dog instead of buying a puppy from a commercial breeder.And that's how she found Baby, a roughly nine-year-old poodle who had been locked in a cage. But Jana's mission didn't stop there. Soon, Jana and Baby (whose sweet face and three-legged hobble attract attention wherever she goes) found themselves speaking to groups about the terrible conditions at many breeders' farms and urging politicians to change the lax laws that regulate this industry. Today, Baby is the unofficial spokesdog for the Humane Society of the United States on the topic of puppy mills, and she and Jana travel around the country lobbying for reform on this important issue. A Rare Breed of Love contains more than sixty photographs of Baby with many of her high-profile fans, from Barack Obama to Judge Judy to Patti LaBelle, as well as original essays from luminaries such as Alice Walker and Gloria Steinem about the special love we all have for the pets in our lives. In this heartbreaking, compelling, and ultimately heart-warming book, Jana Kohl and Baby offer practical advice on what each of us can do to raise awareness, make a difference, and stop animal suffering everywhere.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Jana Kohl is a writer, artist, psychologist, and an animal welfare advocate. Having worked for the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies for many years, she has long been concerned with how cruelty becomes sanctioned by society. Kohl has testified before the Illinois State Legislature on the link between legalized violence against animals and interhuman violence. She has participated in numerous animal welfare campaigns, most notably to end the sale of foie gras in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Kohl currently resides on the West Coast with Baby and a cat named Kitty Pie, whom she also adopted.
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More About the Author
Jana Kohl, Psy.D. is a psychologist, author, speaker, artist and animal advocate who is concerned with legalized animal cruelty, namely that which occurs in every animal-based industry. After adopting a 3-legged puppy mill survivor named Baby, Dr. Kohl was inspired to write "A Rare Breed of Love." Baby and "the Ma," as Kohl is known, travelled the nation to raise awareness about puppy mills and the importance of adopting rather than buying dogs as a means to end the cruelty of the dog breeding industry. Kohl is currently at work on her second book, a tell-all about the corruption in Congress she witnessed over the past years.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A beautiful book about a dog named Baby who is a puppy mill survivor. The book
has great photos of Baby with celebs, politicians, and animal lovers. When you see
the love Baby shows throughout the photos you see that she has not lost her hope
in humanity. A perfect companion to anybody who saw the Oprah show on puppy mills and wants to learn more about it.
has great photos of Baby with celebs, politicians, and animal lovers. When you see
the love Baby shows throughout the photos you see that she has not lost her hope
in humanity. A perfect companion to anybody who saw the Oprah show on puppy mills and wants to learn more about it.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Leica Hound
Format:Hardcover
I purchased this book on a trip to Costco - having no intentions to shop other than routine groceries --- then the CUTE dog on the cover compelled me to open and browse. Not only did I stop and look inside - I purchased 3 copies to give to my fellow animal lover friends.
This canine biography works on so many levels with the endearing photos of pro-animal activists and citizens - but most of all - telling the story from the point of view through Baby's eyes brings home the agony of the suffering caused by puppy mills. Credit should also go to the Oprah show for devoting air time to this sad subject giving it the attention it deserves with Lisa Ling's in-depth puppy mill profile. I believe Baby was a featured guest on that show - so I was moved to see the photos in this book.
Jana - Keep up the good work on your mission to educate people to the suffering inflicted by our fellow humans - I agree with Andy Rooney's quote - "the average dog is a nicer person than the average person" - how sad but true!
Buy this book to share with family and friends ... most of all don't forget to spay and neuter your pets.
This canine biography works on so many levels with the endearing photos of pro-animal activists and citizens - but most of all - telling the story from the point of view through Baby's eyes brings home the agony of the suffering caused by puppy mills. Credit should also go to the Oprah show for devoting air time to this sad subject giving it the attention it deserves with Lisa Ling's in-depth puppy mill profile. I believe Baby was a featured guest on that show - so I was moved to see the photos in this book.
Jana - Keep up the good work on your mission to educate people to the suffering inflicted by our fellow humans - I agree with Andy Rooney's quote - "the average dog is a nicer person than the average person" - how sad but true!
Buy this book to share with family and friends ... most of all don't forget to spay and neuter your pets.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Stacy
Format:Hardcover
"A Rare Breed of Love" is coffee table type book - short stories/chapters, glossy pages, lots of wonderful photos. You can read it from beginning to end or skip to certain parts. The book centers around a three legged dog who came from a puppy mill and, with her owner, has gone on to become spokespeople (or "spokesdog") to fight puppy mills and why we should care about the treatment of animals.
I enjoyed both reading all the stories as well as looking at all the pictures of Baby with celebrities. The book starts with the story of Baby, her adoption story, an overview of puppy mills, and how Baby accidentally became a celebrity "spokesdog" against this horrible practice. The book continues with pictures of Baby and various politicians, celebrities, animal activists, etc. Along with the photos, most of the celebrities also tell a short story of their love of animals, why we should care about how we treat animals, etc. I have found myself drawn to this book and continuing picking it up every day since I purchased it last week. I plan to buy copies for other animal lovers in my life. Its a beautiful book that will surely touch your heart.
I enjoyed both reading all the stories as well as looking at all the pictures of Baby with celebrities. The book starts with the story of Baby, her adoption story, an overview of puppy mills, and how Baby accidentally became a celebrity "spokesdog" against this horrible practice. The book continues with pictures of Baby and various politicians, celebrities, animal activists, etc. Along with the photos, most of the celebrities also tell a short story of their love of animals, why we should care about how we treat animals, etc. I have found myself drawn to this book and continuing picking it up every day since I purchased it last week. I plan to buy copies for other animal lovers in my life. Its a beautiful book that will surely touch your heart.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you love dogs you must read
This book will bring you to tears and convince you to do your homework and never consider buying any puppy from a puppy mill.
Published 4 months ago by Evette Cowen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book
This is a beautiful book with wonderful photos and of course the best part is the story! Highly recommend! I also had great speedy service from Amazon!
Published 18 months ago by sweetvegan
5.0 out of 5 stars
VegNews on A Rare Breed of Love
If the masses only knew the horrific conditions some 150,000 "breeder dogs" languish in as captives of US puppy mills--the ones producing two to four million purebred puppies... Read more
Published on March 30, 2010 by Cafe VegNews
5.0 out of 5 stars
All About Love
Great book about How The love of one tiny dog can help others. Inspiring and sad, but also Heartfelt and warm.
Published on March 23, 2010 by Colleen Troiani
5.0 out of 5 stars
Baby is an inspiration.
I loved this book. I hope it inspires anyone who wants to buy a puppy to adopt/rescue instead. Baby is so beautiful and sweet, just think how many others are out there who aren't... Read more
Published on December 19, 2009 by Twisted Bamboo
5.0 out of 5 stars
heart breaking and heart warming
Everyone needs to be aware of the horrors of pupply mills and this book demonstrates this. Jana Kohl and Baby's mission is so important and heart warming. Read more
Published on November 9, 2009 by JM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent and touching book!
I have heard about the horrors of puppy mills and other problems regarding the treatment of animals the past couple of years. Read more
Published on June 16, 2009 by theaterfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I thought this was a wonderful, heartwarming book. The writer along with her Dog "Baby" take you inside the cruel world of Puppy Mills - where Baby spent the first nine years of... Read more
Published on May 3, 2009 by Shirley A. Hudleson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read
This book tells you exactly where many pet store puppies come from, if you are about to buy a dog please read this first, you owe it to your new dog.
Published on May 2, 2009 by C. Hoar
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Rare Breed of Love
Thanks to a talented, sensitive, educated and dedicated woman, Jana Kohl, the real truth about puppy mills is told for the country to read and see. Read more
Published on March 22, 2009 by Ruth J. Griffith
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