One Hundred Dogs and Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and A Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A challenging foster dog inspires an experienced foster mama to explore where the endless stream of unwanted dogs is coming fromand how things could change.

After nearly a year struggling to find a home for a particular foster dog, Cara begins to wonder how the story endswhen will all the dogs be saved Even after the one-hundredth foster dog passes through Caras 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 is 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 Countingwill introduce the reader to many wonderful dogsfrom sweet Oreo to quirky Flannerybut also to inspirational people sacrificing 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.

Reviews

"Full of passion and compassion, this is an urgent and eloquent call to arms for anyone who cares about the countless dogs in the nations shelters every year. -- Peter Zheutlin, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of RESCUE ROAD and THE DOG WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
"It takes not just a special writer, but a special human being to go into the darkest corners of dog rescue and tell the story with so many glimmers of hope and light. Cara Sue AchtenbergsOne Hundred Dogs and Countingdocuments a journey of compassion, curiosity and faiththat knowing and sharing the truth is worth the effort, for its what ultimately will save so many more dogs." -- Kim Kavin, award-winning journalist, author of THE DOG MERCHANTS
"An inspiring, call-to-action story about one womans dedication to the solution. Through her candid and heart-warming adventures, Achterberg proves that even small acts of kindness can save lives. Her message is a beacon that shines light directly on the path to end suffering; her journey proves that together we can end the needless suffering of millions of shelter animals across the nation." -- C. J. English, author of RESCUE MATTERS
"Saddened by her emptying nest, Cara Sue Achterberg started fostering dogsdozens of them. Here she shares the journey (and some super cute photos)." * People (Praise for ANOTHER GOOD DOG) *
"Heartwarming and humorous. Achterberg fills her readers with the warmth of hope and light of inspiration, which will likely galvanize a new wave of fosters." * Shelf Awareness (Praise for ANOTHER GOOD DOG) *
"Thats where people like Cara Sue Achterberg come into the picture.Another Good Doghas to be the feel good book of the year. The perfect gift." * Best Friends (Praise for ANOTHER GOOD DOG) *
"Achterberg has in fact written another good book about dogs, but even more so she has produced a manifesto on how to change the world: through single acts of caring and compassion stacked one on top of another without end." -- Jim Gorant, New York Times bestselling author of THE LOST DOGS
...She also throws a blinding light on the horrors of abuse and neglect occurring in some rural southern shelters, and shows how often healthy and adoptable dogs are euthanized due to lack of food, medication, and funds...This combination personal story and heartbreaking manifesto will both shock and move readers as it outlines just what we humans must do to make a difference in vulnerable animals' lives. -- Cassandra Smith * Booklist *

Author Bio

Cara Sue Achterbergis the author of several books, includingIm Not HerandGirlsWeekend, which were national bestsellers. She is the author ofAnother Good Dog, also available from Pegasus Books, and lives in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.