The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant

Title: The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption

Author: Jim Gorant

Series:

Genre: Non-fiction, animals, sports

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 2010, September 16

Format: E-Book, 488 pages

Source: Bought for my Barnes and Noble Nook

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man’s best friend, in the aftermath of the nation’s most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick’s brutal dog fighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant’s Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in “restitution” to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs: Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

What I liked:  I really liked how this book has changed my opinion on the American Pit Bull Terrier.  Not only does this book talk about the Vick case it also goes into the history of this breed.  Did you know that the American Pit Bull Terrier is known as the "Nanny Dog?"  It was originally bred to be a family pet and a protector of the farm.  I also really enjoyed that once things got rolling on the case each dog was evaluated on it's individual merit. They got to learn how to be dogs and do dog things and interact with people on a positive level for probably the first time EVER. When the dogs were seized there was only 1 dog in the 51 that were taken that was deemed to dangerous to even try to touch.  This book shows that there are a lot of advocates for those without voices.

What I Didn't Like:  There are some pretty graphic scene's in this book to show the reader how big an asshat Michael Vick truly is.  Anyone who can hurt another living breathing creature just needs to be taken out of the gene pool entirely, but that's just my opinion.

Overall Impression:  I LOVED this book.  I downloaded on a whim and tore through it very quickly.  But like I mentioned above there are some pretty graphic scene's so just beware.  There is a TON of heartbreak and triumph so I whole heartily recommend a box of kleenex when reading this book.  I also recommend this book to any animal lover out there.

Rating: Break the Bank!