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44th out of 66 books
—
9 voters
Little Boy Blue: A Puppy's Rescue from Death Row and His Owner's Journey for Truth
by
Kim Kavin (Goodreads Author),
Jim Gorant
When journalist Kim Kavin decided that she wanted a puppy, she did what millions of people do every year: clicked on an online photo and submitted an application. She had no idea that the adorable brindle puppy—advertised as healthy and near her home in New Jersey—was actually a last-minute rescue from a gas-chamber shelter in North Carolina. Blue had arrived in the Northe...more
Hardcover, 306 pages
Published
September 1st 2012
by Barron's Educational Series
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If you have mixed feelings about the cost/benefit ratio of transporting shelter dogs between states in search of new homes, as I did going in, this would be a good place to start.
At first I objected to what I saw as a hostile SHAME ON TAXPAYER-FUNDED DEATH CENTERS tone, worried that she wouldn't take into account the effects of restrictive budgets versus rescue groups with more appeal to enthusiastic donors and volunteers. But as the book progressed I felt she did a very fair job of not bashing...more
At first I objected to what I saw as a hostile SHAME ON TAXPAYER-FUNDED DEATH CENTERS tone, worried that she wouldn't take into account the effects of restrictive budgets versus rescue groups with more appeal to enthusiastic donors and volunteers. But as the book progressed I felt she did a very fair job of not bashing...more
Okay, I have to confess, I'm an animal lover/advocate but I have not yet been able to read this entire book (I'm about halfway). The book is not an easy read but should be required reading for anyone who plans on buying a dog from a puppy mill (aka. pet shop) or breeder; go check out the local shelters or even www.petfinder.com to be rescued by your next pet.
In this book, Ms. Kavin researches just how she came to have Blue and how truly lucky he was/is. She also finds out just how cruel many an...more
In this book, Ms. Kavin researches just how she came to have Blue and how truly lucky he was/is. She also finds out just how cruel many an...more
Full disclosure: Kim and I have been friends for nearly 20 years. We've been college students and co-workers.
That said, Kim pulls together a masterful piece of journalism. She takes her personal story of finding Blue, and uses it as a launching point to examine how animal shelters and rescues work within the U.S.
She does a fabulous job of analyzing the facts and statistics. She illustrates numbers to make them relevant and realistic, easy to grab onto and understand. No one side is demonized i...more
That said, Kim pulls together a masterful piece of journalism. She takes her personal story of finding Blue, and uses it as a launching point to examine how animal shelters and rescues work within the U.S.
She does a fabulous job of analyzing the facts and statistics. She illustrates numbers to make them relevant and realistic, easy to grab onto and understand. No one side is demonized i...more
This is the story of Kim Kavin's search for more information about Blue, a dog she adopted through a local rescue group near her New Jersey home. For every question that was answered, more questions arose. She followed each trail and ended up on a journey that revealed the good, the bad, and the ugly of some grassroots canine rescue groups and animal shelters.
Because of the prevalence of high-kill shelters in many areas - and thanks to the internet's ability to connect like-minded and dedicated...more
Because of the prevalence of high-kill shelters in many areas - and thanks to the internet's ability to connect like-minded and dedicated...more
When I got this book, I was expecting a cute story about a woman and her dog. Awesome!
Instead, I discovered it was a powerful exposé of animal shelters and rescues in the U.S.
Kim lives in New Jersey. After she adopted Blue (who she named after the character in the movie, Old School), a sweet and friendly puppy, she was curious about where he came from.
She tracked his origins to a funded shelter in Person County, North Carolina, which has a gas chamber and a 95% kill rate. Can you imagine??!! Blu...more
Instead, I discovered it was a powerful exposé of animal shelters and rescues in the U.S.
Kim lives in New Jersey. After she adopted Blue (who she named after the character in the movie, Old School), a sweet and friendly puppy, she was curious about where he came from.
She tracked his origins to a funded shelter in Person County, North Carolina, which has a gas chamber and a 95% kill rate. Can you imagine??!! Blu...more
This is a pretty amazing book, and I would urge anyone who cares about dogs to read it with an open heart.
Part memoir, part investigation, Kim Kavin switches easily between the pride of a new-puppy-parent and the the objectivity of a reporter, while still communicating her shock and outrage at the situation of all unwanted dogs in the country.
My only issue with the book is the author's brushing off all breeders as contributing to the overpopulation of unwanted dogs in shelters. My own personal c...more
Part memoir, part investigation, Kim Kavin switches easily between the pride of a new-puppy-parent and the the objectivity of a reporter, while still communicating her shock and outrage at the situation of all unwanted dogs in the country.
My only issue with the book is the author's brushing off all breeders as contributing to the overpopulation of unwanted dogs in shelters. My own personal c...more
Little Boy Blue is the story of how one puppy was rescued from death row at a shelter in North Carolina, transported north, and adopted by a writer living in New Jersey.
After author Kim Kavin adopts Blue, her mixed-breed pup from a North Carolina shelter, she gets curious about the lack of information surrounding Blue before he came to her. She begins digging deeper after she takes Blue to the vet to be checked out and the vet looks over the scant medical information provided.
Curious about his...more
After author Kim Kavin adopts Blue, her mixed-breed pup from a North Carolina shelter, she gets curious about the lack of information surrounding Blue before he came to her. She begins digging deeper after she takes Blue to the vet to be checked out and the vet looks over the scant medical information provided.
Curious about his...more
It started with a search on PetFinder.com for dogs available for adoption near Kim Kavin’s New Jersey home. That's where she found Blue, the dog who would inspire her to research and write Little Boy Blue: A Puppy's Rescue from Death Row and His Owner's Journey for the Truth. Kavin soon learned that Blue (named for a character in the movie Old School) was actually being brought to her local rescue organization from a shelter in Person County, North Carolina. Blue’s vet raised some questions abou...more
3.5 stars -- If you live in most parts of the US, chances are, you know animal shelters have improved drastically since the day of the dismal “dog pound.” Today’s shelters are, for the most part, run by decent people who try their best to get pets into new homes. They utilize everything from online social networking sites to printed newsletters to out-of-building adoption festivals to achieve the goal of more adoptions and fewer euthanasias. However, this is not the situation everywhere. Some ru...more
Little Boy Blue is a fascinating look at dog rescue - particularly rescuing dogs from Southern animal shelters that have high-kill rates and transporting these dogs to homes up North. Even though I am from the South and am NOT an uneducated redneck, there is still an unfortunate ignorance when it comes to pets that continues to exist in the South. Kim Kavin found her puppy Blue through the website Petfinder and he was transported from North Carolina to her home in New Jersey. Being a journalist,...more
Little Boy Blue is an excellent, informative, educational read, well-researched by the author and presented in a format anybody can easily read. If you ever wanted to know more about the whole shelter/rescue/foster/spay-and-neuter movement going on in today's society, this book will teach you. While most of the author's investigation was eye-opening for her, it isn't for me, and alot of it, even her horror at the "bleach-and-Monistat" home remedy, makes sense. I've done battle with ringworm befo...more
Having adopted an amazing dog who was rescued last year from a southern shelter and transported to Wisconsin, this book hit very close to home. To learn that over 95% of dogs die in those shelters breaks my heart. What if no one had rescued my precious dog? This is an extremely well-researched book that chronicles the modern "Underground Railroad" that is saving thousands of dogs every year by pulling them out of southern shelters and shipping them to rescue groups in the north that find loving...more
What a FANTASTIC book Little Boy Blue by Kim Kavin is! There is more to this book than just Kim rescuing Blue, the dog. A lot more! Her journey to find out about Blue before she got him is very interesting. I found out things that I didn't know such as if two out of four people got dogs from shelters or rescue places there would be no need to worry about dogs being killed. I also found out some things that wish didn't happen, but unfortunately, do. Be sure to read near the end of the book about...more
We have been fostering dogs and helping with transport for about 6 years. Kavin does a great job of telling her personal story but also investigating the issues around rescue in a way that brings in different viewpoints. The book is well written and easy to read (in terms of the flow and organization), not so easy in terms of some of the content. Kavin definitely doesn't go for the big reality TV type drama but rather is a calm voice in an arena where passions run very high. I thought she did a...more
If you think you know what happens to animals dropped off at your local humane society (they are eventually adopted by loving people, right?), be sure to read this book. It will definitely open your eyes to the magnitude of the problem of animal overpopulation and how it's dealt with in this country. You're not gonna like what you read, but you need to read this book anyway. (Kavin's description of the killing methods and disposal of the bodies will break your heart.)
Prevention - spaying and ne...more
Prevention - spaying and ne...more
Sep 10, 2012
Lisa Irby
added it
Kim Kavin's journey to find answers is touching and heart breaking at the same time. This was an even harder book for me because I am a Person County native and knowing some of the people and places involved broke my heart. I have a rescue dog myself. He belonged to neighbors and they moved leaving him behind. I am so thankful that we took him in and he was never taken to the animal shelter because our Miles would have been one of the 95%. I really hope this book changes some policies and views...more
Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/SXjFQ1
My opinion: Anyone who follows my blog, knows that I don't review much non-fiction. Especially non-fiction that can cause a ton of debate due to me wanting to keep A Book and A Review a light zone. I had the opportunity to stumble upon this book and knew I not only needed to review it, but, as an animal lover, get the word out on this book.
This book is a must read for anyone who feels that spaying/neutering their pet is inhumane and those who are animal...more
My opinion: Anyone who follows my blog, knows that I don't review much non-fiction. Especially non-fiction that can cause a ton of debate due to me wanting to keep A Book and A Review a light zone. I had the opportunity to stumble upon this book and knew I not only needed to review it, but, as an animal lover, get the word out on this book.
This book is a must read for anyone who feels that spaying/neutering their pet is inhumane and those who are animal...more
As always when I read a book that is painful/emotional in its content, it's hard to describe why I rated this book highly. Being someone that is in the animal care business, I understand only too well all the challenges faced in trying to get animals out of shelters yet believe many shelters are just too attached to the way things have always been and/or the staff are just plain lazy. Unfortunately, as always, the animals pay the price for this. Ms. Kavin did the unthinkable -- traced the roots...more
This was a great and heart breaking read. Having volunteered with a dog rescue, I knew a lot of the material presented in this book. A lot of the information about back yard breeders and gas chambers was very sad.
If you are in the market for a dog, and get one from a "breeder" or pet store, you truly are an ass.
Read this book and you'll understand more about exactly how many homeless dogs are out there and how buying from a breeder or pet store contributes to this issue.
As for the book itself,...more
If you are in the market for a dog, and get one from a "breeder" or pet store, you truly are an ass.
Read this book and you'll understand more about exactly how many homeless dogs are out there and how buying from a breeder or pet store contributes to this issue.
As for the book itself,...more
As someone involved in animal rescue, this book was a must read. I learned a lot about the history of shelters, about how different rescues work in other parts of the country, and the ups and downs of being involved.
There is a section about midway through where the author gets really personal, and I think that was fairly distracting. I kind of understand why she brought up her unfortunate situation, but I think she could have done so without going into as much detail. I was a little uncomfortabl...more
There is a section about midway through where the author gets really personal, and I think that was fairly distracting. I kind of understand why she brought up her unfortunate situation, but I think she could have done so without going into as much detail. I was a little uncomfortabl...more
Wow! This book was eye opening to the world of animal shelters and pet over population. I will admit I have always been leery of adopting a shelter or rescue dog as I am worried about possible behavior problems and not knowing the dogs background. I may have to reconsider this for my next dog. This book was all too sad to hear about the thousands of perfectly dogs that are put down every single day simply because there isn't enough room in shelters for them.
On a positive note, I loved reading a...more
On a positive note, I loved reading a...more
There are a few sad or disturbing notes. But mostly the book is inspiring and uplifting. Making you want to be a part, if small, of the solution. Let's make things better ... that's the overriding tone of this quick and easy to read book. I learned this: if two in four people (instead of just one in four people) would get their dog from a shelter or rescue instead of from a breeder that our country would statistically have eliminated the killing of dogs. That's HUGE. And happily, that's also a v...more
This was not at all what I expected; I thought this would be more of a story about Blue, but instead, it is a hard and in-depth look at what happens to dogs who ends up in some of these "shelters." I love Blue's story, but I have to admit, it is tough reading. The reality of a shelter dog's chances is something that everyone needs to know about. Hearing about the gas chambers at some of the shelters disturbed, saddened and angered me. It brought me to tears thinking about the plight of these ani...more
Great book about animal rescue efforts and all the work of people all over the country; a few chapters were very, very hard to get thru...............detailing gas chambers and kill shelters..............that's why it took so long to get thru this book; I would have to put it down for a couple of days to just "digest" things, and then pick it back up. A must read for all animal lovers.
This book is really a must read for anyone that has a dog, loves dogs, or is thinking of getting a dog. I have a rescue dog and I thought I knew quite a bit about where he came from and what goes on in shelters. This book is very eye opening. At times, it is difficult to read, but it is information that must be known.
This book is very interesting and highly readable.
This book is very interesting and highly readable.
It took me a minute to get into this story, but about 1/3 way through I started picking up steam. I had no idea that gas chambers were still used to kill thousands of homeless dogs in shelters! So while I learned a lot from this story, my greatest take away from this book is that we need more foster moms and dads to get dogs like Blue out of high-kill shelters.
My bookstore The Booktrader of Hamilton is having a signing with Kim November 10th from 1-3pm. I'm very excited to have her come to our store and am reading her book now in anticipation of the event. So far it's been very good, though there have been a few times when I was close to tears. I have a soft spot for animals and Blue is so lovable!
Amazing book, well researched and written. I can't wait to talk with the author and have her sign my book!
Amazing book, well researched and written. I can't wait to talk with the author and have her sign my book!
A person who adopts my pets from shelters. I found this to be a well written book about the shelter system and a adopters relationship with their pets. I have friends who have adopted dogs through the rescue system and didn't understand why they didn't get them locally - now I understand! It pulls at your heartstrings - but in a good way.
Insightful look into the rescue operations and animal shelters in the Eastern U.S. Author explored all facets of dog rescue efforts from fosters to transport to adoption. Well written and hard to put down for a non-fiction piece. Dog lovers everywhere will want to read this!
A great book for anyone wondering what really goes on in dog rescue. Its an inside look to the southern shelters. Not really a perfect view of the rescuers though. Not enough credit is given to those ladies and gents trying to do the near impossible.
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| Goodreads Librari...: 9780764165269 | 5 | 30 | Aug 24, 2012 12:34pm |
I've been writing publicly since my freshman year of high school, when I joined the school newspaper. I'm a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism as well as the Dow Jones Editing Program. I spent more than seven years as a daily newspaper editor before becoming executive editor of Yachting magazine. After more than three years in that job, I quit in 2003 to follow my...more
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