Hardcover, 304 pages
Published July 7th 2020 by Pegasus Books
After nearly a year struggling to find a home for a particular foster dog, Cara begins to wonder how the story ends - when will all the dogs be saved? Even after the 100th foster dog passes through Cara’s home, the stream of homeless dogs appears endless. Seized by the need to act, Cara grabs her best friend, fills a van with donations, and heads south to discover what’s really happening in the rural shelters where her foster dogs originate.
What she discovers will break her heart and compel her to share the story of heroes and villains and plenty of good dogs in the hope of changing this world. From North Carolina where pit bulls fill the shelters and heart-worm rages to Tennessee where dogs are left forgotten in pounds and on to Alabama where unlikely heroes fight in a state that has largely forsaken its responsibilities to its animals, Cara meets the people working on the front lines in this national crisis of unwanted animals. The dogs, the people, and their inspiring stories draw her south again and again in search of answers - and maybe a dog of her own.
One Hundred Dogs and Counting will introduce listeners to many wonderful dogs - from sweet Oreo to quirky Flannery - but also to inspirational people sacrificing their personal lives and fortunes to save deserving animals.
Join Cara on the rescue road as she follows her heart into the places where too many dogs are forgotten and discovers glimmers of hope that the day is coming when every dog will have a home.
THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
One Hundred Dogs and Counting is such an amazing book any dog lover or animal lover must read. Cara's story is so touching and really brought me to tears reading her stories, what she advocates for and for her heart.
I have learned so much about how our animals and dogs in particular are mistreated and unfortunately, with the lack of funding and resources, our dogs continue and will continue to suffer consequences through abuse, malnutrition and neglect. Since there is severe lack of space, even a healthy puppy only months old can be euthanized.
I love how the book brings awareness about shelters and rescues, how to foster, volunteer in every type of avenue, donating for the cause and how to advocate for these dogs in every way possible. The book is such an amazing read that I enjoyed a lot. At times, I did need to break for the heavy topics but it did not deter me from learning more about it, and picked it back up again.
Today is as good as any time to do this for our dogs - a man's best friend. I challenge you! Pick this book up and do something positive for our dogs today.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:
Cara Sue Achterberg is a blogger, novelist, and rescue dog advocate who lives on a hillside farm in York County, Pennsylvania but longs for the mountains of Virginia.
She is the co-founder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, an intiative of Operation Paws for Homes. It's mission is to raise awareness and resources for southern shelters and rescues. Find more information at WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org.
Information on all her books, blogs, and upcoming appearances can be found at CaraWrites.com. Her next book, Blind Turn, a novel about forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident will be released January 2021.
When not writing or weeding (which can sometimes be one and the same), Cara enjoys hiking, reading, visiting Virginia wineries, and trying not to fall off her favorite horse, True.
You can keep up with Cara on facebook (Cara Sue Achterberg, writer), twitter (@CaraAchterberg), or Instagram (carasueachterberg), and of course, at CaraWrites.com.
Thanks for sharing the real message of this book - we can all do something to fix this. While the book shares the reality- the messy, the hard, the joyful, the frustrating, it also challenges us to do better - to be better. AND offers solutions, ideas, and resources. We owe it to these animals who depend on us and believe we are so much better than we are. We need to live up to that trust. Thanks for helping share its message!
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