Teresa Rhyne’s The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) made me nod in agreement, laugh, cry, and laugh some more. In this sequel to the New York Times best seller The Dog Lived (And So Will I), Rhyne shares her story of fighting for her family’s health and embracing a more compassionate lifestyle. It made me laugh, cry, nod in agreement, and laugh some more. Look for The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) on bookstore shelves on October 7.
I am a total sucker for dogs, especially shelter dogs. I tell myself that I’m just going to pet them and give treats, but three times now we’ve adopted because someone in the family fell in love. Our first baby, a fawn Boxer names Willow, had sad eyes and an equally sad story. I wasn’t sure about a dog her size while apartment living, but she zeroed in on hubby and daughter and nuzzled her way into their hearts. She completely won me over the night we brought her home. She climbed into hubby’s chair the second we walked in, then walked right into our bedroom that night and selected her spot on the bed. We were smitten. When mast cell cancer struck, there was no veterinary oncologist in town and her options were limited. Surgery and meds gave us 7 more months to spoil her rotten and we did. She knew without any doubt how much she was loved. I miss that girl every day.
Teresa Rhyne’s The Dog Lived (And So Will I) made me cry like a baby. The author and her dog Seamus both fought cancer and won. I wept for my lost girl while reading this best seller. When approached with the chance to read Rhyne’s second book, I was a bit worried. I knew it would make me cry, but I had to read more about Seamus, Chris, and Rhyne’s journey. I don’t regret it for a second, not even when I bawled like a baby.
I received an advance copy of The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) a few weeks ago. In it, Rhyne shares more about the loves of her life, Chris, and their beagle Seamus. Both Rhyne and Seamus survived cancer and I was thrilled for them both. In the first few pages of The Dogs Were Rescued, I learned that cancer wasn’t done with Seamus. I put the book down and walked away. I didn’t pick it up again until I’d adequately prepared for the tears I knew would come. When I returned, what I found was more than I expected. Rhyne’s journey toward a healthier lifestyle for her family made me laugh out loud. Chris’ skepticism mirrored my husband’s and I remember having similar conversations about my grocery purchases and dinner menus. Meeting beagle babies Daphne and Percival made me teary, angry, and giggly at the same time. I remember what it was like to bring the new fur baby home to wary siblings. I remember how angry I was at those who abused my pups in their early lives and how heartbroken I was for my dogs. And many of Rhyne’s feelings about cruelty-free products mirror my own (yes, vegan nut cheeses are to live for). The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) made me nod in agreement, laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Anyone with furry family members will love this. Anyone on a health journey will love this. Yes, I cried, and found my eyes misty while writing this.
Look for The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) on bookshelves on October 7, 2014. A portion of the proceeds from the print copies will benefit Beagle Freedom Project. If you haven’t heard of this wonderful organization before, prepare to be moved.
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I know that this is a book I would love and would also make me weep. I am sorry that you had such a difficult time with your first dog, but I know you would go through it again rather than never having had her at all.
(Book Review: The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) What a heart warming story, I would love to read this. My ex sister -in-law has a really cute beagle.
This book sounds amazing and one that would make me cry on page one! I love animals so much and shelter animals need priority. Thank you for sharing this great review this is one I would love to read and to give to someone as a gift. Animals do so much for us they are healers.
This book sounds touching and amazing! True, too. When my daughter lost her dog of ten plus years, it broke her heart. She got him when she was 13, and he was her baby and true love. She was sure she was done and didn’t want that again. A year went by, and she had another grief. She came to me and said she just wanted to hold a dog. For months, we went, looked, and held. Then, she started pricing. She wasn’t sure about getting one though. She kept looking and one day at an adoption event, she saw her. While another person was interested, too, the lady knew me and said to put in our paperwork. We had a backyard check. My daughter wasn’t sure still, but the doggie was. Missy followed her all over the yard and got upset when my daughter went inside. Yes, she picked us; squeezed into our hearts and is such a little love. Rescue dogs aren’t to be afraid of or shamed. They aren’t lesser animals. In fact, they are survivors and have a lot of love to give.
Dogs become such a huge part of our families that we feel their loss terribly. I am sorry for yours, but it sure sounds like you guys were meant to be her forever family. I have to be in the mood to watch a movie or read a book like this. Either can take a real emotional toll on me. Sounds like a great book and I hope it will be on audio at some point.
This looks like a very good book. I would love to read it. I will have to find it and see what the book is all about. I have rescued many dogs and it looks like a great book to read.