Customer Reviews

To the Rescue: Found Dogs with a Mission

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TO THE RESCUE
Found Dogs With a Mission
Elise Lufkin
Photographs by Diana Walker
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-60239-772-9
$19.95 - Hardback
Reviewer: Annie Slessman

My husband and I are big time dog lovers with three of our own. We have owned many dogs over the years and many of them have been rescued dogs. There is always a story behind a rescue animal. It was with great interest that I picked up the latest book by Elise Lufkin with photographs by Diana Walker called TO THE RESCUE, Found Dogs with a Mission.

Within the pages of this work you will find many stories of rescue dogs, their owners and how the dogs have made a difference in the lives of many. Ms. Lufkin starts her stories with Bailey, a golden retriever, who was almost starved to death before he was rescued by a victim's advocate, specializing in child abuse who ultimately trained Bailey as a cadaver dog. One of Bailey's jobs was working the remains of the horrific 9/11 disaster.
She continues on with great stories of rescued dogs in ever breed who have found themselves working within their respective communities in varied occupations. Whether they are working as therapy dogs with children, the elderly or those who are hospitalized, these dogs have been taken from terrible conditions, loved and they in return have shown their appreciation by servicing those in need.

The stories in this work are beautifully, but simply told. The pictures are heartwarming and thoughtful images that will warm the reader's heart.

Any dog owner will enjoy this book and will find themselves nodding in agreement and smiling throughout the reading process. It is a great book to share with others and would make a great gift for any occasion. I would venture to say that children of reading age would also enjoy this book.

N.B.: This is not an unbiased review. Please take a large grain of salt before continuing to read.

(pause for effect)

OK, here goes:

First the usual stuff about a book purchase from Amazon: I ordered a couple of copies some weeks back, and they finally got here today. OK, I did order them before the publisher released them, but that is just being picky. They arrived in good condition. There are beautiful black and white photos throughout, and they are well presented on glossy paper.

As a previous reviewer noted, the main text is about 53 animals, mostly dogs, and how they survived over early difficulties and then went on to help people, real people who really needed help.

There is some front matter about how and why the stories were chosen, and some really good back matter about how to, and why to ... or why not to get involved yourself.

The main text is well organized and written. The style varies between sections, which is to be expected since each was written by a different person. With 53 chapters or sections it is easy to read for a short bit, put it down, and read more later. Which doesn't explain why I read it straight through this afternoon. At first I wasn't sure how it was organized, but the author's method became clear when I finished the book.

The main text is interesting and entertaining, but the back matter has a lot of reference information that will be of continuing value to anyone interested in pets, especially dogs, or to anyone interested in assisting people to improve their lives. It turns out to be a two-way street. People help dogs who help people.

If you are interested in reading about such people and such dogs, you will like "TO THE RESCUE, Found Dogs with a Mission."

Oh yes, about how it was organized. Simple.

They saved the best part for last. I just counted, and we have six (6) photos of one of the dogs on our refrigerator. We have known that dog for years. He comes to our house to dispense love (and fur) for Christmas every year, and we visit him at his home a couple of times a year. And, we have known his owner for many years more.

All of the dogs in this book are rescues, coming from a variety of unusual (and often unsavory) backgrounds. They were all "throwaways" but they've gone on to help people in a remarkable variety of ways. The different ways these dogs help people was what surprised me most - search-and-rescue dogs, therapy dogs, teachers aides, cadaver dogs, even dogs with a company called "K-9 Detectives" that hire out to hotels and apartment buildings to sniff out bedbugs! And that's only a small slice of the 53 animals in here. All of the stories are told in the first person by the owners. The photography is stunning - it has to be seen to be believed. There are also four very helpful appendices: "Adopting a Dog," "To Get Involved," "Activities to Share and Organizations of Interest," and "Recommended Reading." This book definitely makes my personal "Recommended Reading" list!

I am a little biased, my dog Sunny is profiled in the book, but until I was approached to be in the book I'd never read any of Elise Lufkin's other books. Every story is so moving. It is such an honor to have my wonderful boy be a part of this amazing collection.

While it's heartbreaking to see the way some of these animals were treated, it's so lovely to hear about the wonderful people who've made them a part of their families. Could have used a little more editing and wordsmithing but the content more than made up for the choppy writing.

This book is a wonderful heart uplifter.

Sometimes I get down about all the animals that are put down every year.

This book brings back hope that all animals are worth something and we should stop euthanization completely.

Love a dog - Love a mutt -they bring such joy!!!

I am so pleased at the fast shipping and great service I recieved from this company. I will buy from them again, I did all my Christmas shopping online and have not had the same service with alot of other companies, thanks for doing a great job.

Robin in SC

I am partial to this book because I/we are in it. I would love it anyway, because I so treasure found dogs. And especially I want to give a "shout out" to the author and photographer for boosting interest in what found dogs can do.

My rescued hearing dog has changed my life for the better. I could add no more than that.

What a wonderful book. Interesting and touching. If you like dogs and are interested in people who do unusual things with their life then this is the book for you. One of those books that you will go back to again and again after you have finished it just to relive those special touching moments.