DogTown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption - Softcover

Bechtel, Stefan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1426206429 ISBN 13: 9781426206429

Publisher: National Geographic, 2010

Synopsis

Now in paperback, this companion to the hit National Geographic Channel show, DogTown, tells the moving stories of homeless dogs and their caretakers at the Best Friends Animal Society, evoking both the joy and the occasional, but inevitable, heartbreak that accompanies the important work of saving homeless dogs.
Focusing both on the relationships between dogs and people and on the latest discoveries in animal health and behavior, the book features 12 of DogTown's most memorable cases. Each chapter follows one dog —often considered unadoptable by other shelters —from the first days at DogTown, through assessment and treatment, to the whether the dog finds a "forever home" outside the shelter. Photographs of each dog trace its entire journey and chart its progress from beginning to end. DogTown's veterinarians, trainers, and experts who are featured on the show contribute essays on their most meaningful moments in working with animals.

About this title

Review:

Book Description
From Marley and Me to Temple Grandin’s groundbreaking books to Cesar Millan’s television show, America’s many millions of pet owners eagerly seek new insights into animal behavior, and one of the most popular sources of compelling stories and practical advice is DogTown, the National Geographic Channel’s latest hit show.

A national rescue organization with more than 200,000 members, DogTown is the area where dogs live at the nation’s largest companion animal sanctuary run by Best Friends Animal Society. This informative, inspiring book presents representative stories of dogs considered unadoptable by other shelters. They come from many backgrounds: some were abandoned; some prowled the streets as strays; others suffer from mysterious illnesses, serious injuries, or antisocial behaviors that discourage potential adopters. But good fortune led them to Best Friends and the dedicated people devoted to helping them recover and find welcoming homes.

These compelling, winningly illustrated true stories, each uniquely moving and inspirational, draw upon the experience of veterinarians, trainers, and volunteers to probe a range of tough, touching cases that evoke both the joy and the occasional but inevitable heartbreak that accompanies this work. Each chapter follows a dog from the first day at Dogtown until he ultimately finds (or doesn’t find) a permanent new home, focusing both on the relationship between the dog and the Dogtown staff and on the latest discoveries about animal health and behavior. We learn how dogs process information, how trauma affects their behavior, and how people can help them overcome their problems. In the end, we come to see that there are no "bad dogs" and that with patience, care, and compassion, people can help dogs to heal.

A Look Inside DogTown
Click to see larger images

About the Author:

Stefan Bechtel is a veteran storyteller, a founding editor of Men's Health; and a contributor to Esquire and the Washington Post;and the author of seven books on conservation, health, investment, and severe weather, including Roar of the Heavens, a chronicle of the fury of Hurricane Camille. His books have sold more than two million copies and have been translated into eight languages.

About this edition

• Publisher: National Geographic
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1426206429
• ISBN 13: 9781426206429
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304