Customer Reviews

Shelter Dogs

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book was really touching. The photos are beautiful and most of the dogs you can just feel their soul and personality right through the pages.
(Buyer beware, not all the dogs are rescued and live happily ever after. I didn't realize this when I bought the book so my heart leaped when reading their stories and I got to the ones that had been euthanized. It's very heartbreaking to see such a beautiful living (when the photo was taken) being and know they are gone.)
I wish this book was in every library, school, store in the country, it would make a difference. I got my pooch from the humane shelter 5 1/2 years ago as a 2 month old puppy that had been tossed out on a freeway to die. She is my best little buddy and better than any human friend I've ever had.
Thank you for such a beautiful book!

This is a collection of photographs of dogs from various shelters, each with a short description of their situation. These dogs are the unlucky and unwanted, sometimes abondoned by their "best friend", and some are picked up as strays. The photos capture the character of these dogs, and some have such sad looks. It is heartbreaking to read that some of these dogs in this book were euthanized, sometimes simply due to the lack of space in shelters. In those cases, these photos are the only remaining evidence of their short existance. Recommended for anyone who loves dogs. A percentage of proceeds from sales go to shelters.

Traer Scott has done an extraordinary job. The photos of these dogs are mesmerizing. A must have for dog lovers, and especially those of us who have walked into a shelter and fallen in love with a furry stranger who then becomes our best friend on the ride home.

...and I have been for a long time. I recently read this book, although I have been a shelter volunteer and animal lover and rescuer my whole life. What this book is about is nothing new to me, but I still cried my eyes out as I do each and every time I read, hear about, or encounter shelter dogs.

I agree with the MANY who said that the people who REALLY need to read this book will NOT. Rather, those of us who are already aware of the huge pet overpopulation problem, the unnecessary deaths, and the need for spaying/neutering are the ones who will read this book and simply be reminded of the terrible situation many abandoned pets in America face.

And that is too bad.

Because the ones who NEED to read this book are the lowlife, pathetic excuses for human beings who dump their dogs at a shelter and never look back. The losers who tell shelter workers "I am moving and can't take him with me." And yes, even the heartless pregnant woman and her husband, who decide that since a baby is on the way, the dog is on the way out. These very situations happen a lot, folks. We live in a throwaway society that's simply to lazy to do anything other than abandon our pets without a care in the world. It is far too easy in our country to just pawn off out pets and let them be someone else's problem. These people deserve harsh punishment, and they should NEVER be allowed to have a pet EVER again.

I know I sound furious, and it's because I am. 'Furious' isn't even the word, as how I am feeling is even far beyond that.

This book is amazing, to say the least. I wish I could force every idiot out there who has abandoned or abused a pet to read it. But they just don't care enough. And I guess that that's the real heart of the issue.

Great country we live in, ain't it?

The photography in this book is beautiful. Ms. Scott captures the innate beauty and emotions of every dog she photographs. Just by looking at these dog faces, one can get a sense of the hardship, the longing, and the hope of these canines. The stories behind each dog gives them such depth and character. Of course, these stories leave the reader/viewer filled with emotions including sadness and joy, but most importantly, they provide a reminder of just how precious shelter dogs are and just how much they want and deserve to be loved.

--JohnC

Anyone interested in dog rescue should buy this book. I purchased a dozen of them and gave them to all the senior officers at my county's animal control department...one month later they deceided to review their behavioral evaluation process and stop euthenasing behavioral dogs until they were sure the dogs were getting a fair shake...this book might have saved hundreds of dogs lives and that's in only one county...perhaps a dog patron might want to try the same thing in their city/county! Please spay and neuter your pets and tell everyone to do the same thing... the un-intended offspring of our companion animals do not deserve to be tossed on the side of the road, neglected, incarcerated and euthenized due to their owners negligence.

What a lovely, lovely, and (unsurprisingly) sometimes heartrending collection of photographs. They speak for themselves so much more eloquently than I ever could. This is a most moving book, though not always easy or comfortable to look at. People who care about dogs (as well as many other living things) will find much to think about here.

This is such a beautiful book about the sad state of 'disposal pets'.

These wonderful, intelligent, affectionate creatures imprisoned for the mere fact that no one wants them.

...gazing into the soulful eyes of these beautiful homeless creatures. I rarely cry, by the way, and this is in *public* no less. The book really is that moving.

I love this book for so many reasons. First, a portion of the sale goes to animal rescue operations. Second, books like this raise awareness around the importance of altering our pets and doing what we can to save an innocent life. Third, as a photographer who is just starting to take pet portraits, it's jaw-dropping how gorgeous these images are. (Maybe this should've been first -- they really are hauntingly beautiful.) So buy this book. Then buy one for everyone on your birthday and holiday gift list.

This book is a must for anyone who loves dogs. The book is a permanent reminder of beautiful animals that are put to death everyday across the US. The pictures in this book will move you to tears. The stories of these beautiful animals will tear at your heart. Well written but you can only wish the book was double it's size because it leaves you wanting to see and read more.