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67th out of 396 books
—
946 voters
DogTown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption
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...more
A national rescue organization with more than 200,000...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
October 27th 2009
by National Geographic
(first published October 5th 2009)
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Superb!! If you have watched the tv show, you will recognize some of these dogs... I encourage you to read it anyway. Their stories do not get old or less touching in the retelling. Read and recap the lives of Georgia, Wiggles, Bones, Bruno, Vivian and more. Some of them were at one time Michael Vicks dogs, pit bulls bred to fight that survived appalling circumstances. Two dogs covered in this novel are Katrina survivors. A different trauma, but with lifelong effects. My heart goes out to these...more
This was a charming little book. It chronicles the stories of several dogs that have been featured on the TV show Dogtown, and goes a little more into detail about the sanctuary itself. I really enjoyed reading the stories, which I thought were well chosen and varied.
I felt that the writing itself was a little simplistic. I thought the author could have done a better job describing particularly the trainers. Whenever they were described, the descriptions were so over the top that it kind of pull...more
I felt that the writing itself was a little simplistic. I thought the author could have done a better job describing particularly the trainers. Whenever they were described, the descriptions were so over the top that it kind of pull...more
My mom convinced me to read this as she kept thinking of our sweet, yet neurotic Millie (a rescue). I really did enjoy it. Dogtown is a remarkable place that rescues can live forever if no homes can be found or if they aren't considered adoptable. I'd love to visit it someday and it surely reinforced my desire to only have rescue dogs. Did give me some thoughts on our dog too, though I would have liked some other ideas on approaching the issue of her very frequent nightmares.
I did find the book...more
I did find the book...more
"DogTown" is the nickname of the canine section of Best Friends Animal Shelter in Kanab, Utah. Best Friends provides rehabilitation and training in hopes of finding adoptive homes for its residents -- but if that proves impossible, the animals are given a "forever home" on the ranch.
Bechtel shares stories of several DogTown residents, from two of the Vick pit bulls to a dog whose elderly guardians passed away to a dog who lived at the facility for 13 years before getting his own family. He also...more
Bechtel shares stories of several DogTown residents, from two of the Vick pit bulls to a dog whose elderly guardians passed away to a dog who lived at the facility for 13 years before getting his own family. He also...more
I loved this book. It was about each dog and their story of how they came to a dog rescue center in Utah. It made me want to just up and move to Utah and work there with dogs!
DogTown is my kind of town! DogTown by Stefan Bechtel is just a wonderful book! It's about Dog Town--a no-kill sancturary for dogs in Utah. All the stories in DogTown are excellent! I had a hard time deciding which was more amazing, the people or the dogs! You will smile, laugh and cry as you read these stories. They touched my heart and will probably touch yours too. It also includes tips on how to handle dogs. I hated to see this book end. I really, really enjoyed DogTown a lot--it made me wan...more
I have currently start reading this book. So far it is very well written but I must for warn people that the short stories regarding the dogs in this book are very emotional. I found myself tearing up over the story of one Micheal Vick's Pitbulls. And so on. But the good thing is that the book is very well written and the stories go by fast. I am all ready on page 53. I started on 2.18.2010.ou I have finished this book on 2/23/10. The stories are very sweet but also very sad on how the dogs wher...more
A REALLY great book. All the dogs that were written about touched my heart. I was surprised and touched at the determination and kindness of the Dogtown staff and trainers. They took dogs that would be put down, dog that people thought could no be turned around, and totally turned them into great dogs. My next dog is coming from Dogtown, I don't care if it's across the country, this shelter is wonderful, and what they are doing is wonderful.
If you enjoy heart-touching stories of dogs who's lives...more
If you enjoy heart-touching stories of dogs who's lives...more
A nice collection that lets you see inside the Best Friends animal sanctuary. Gives a very readable look into everyday life at the sanctuary, essays by the staff, and (my favorite) rescue/rehab/adoption stories. A good read for all animal-lovers, although if you know nothing about the sanctuary, you may want to read Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary first.
I've loved watching Dogtown on Netflix Instant Watch over the past six weeks, so I was excited to find out there was a book. Unfortunately, this book is essentially the TV show in book form, down to the exact quotes from Dogtown employees. It did have a little bit of unique information so we learned what happened to some of the dogs that hadn't been adopted as of their episode's air date, and essays from the Dogtown employees. If you can't get your hands on the TV show and you love animals, this...more
Most of the major issues affecting man’s best friend are addressed in Stefan Bechtel‘s Dogtown, through the stories of individual canines residing at the world famous animal sanctuary Best Friends.
One of the dogs profiled is Parker, a mistreated dachshund who was rescued from a massive puppy mill in my backyard of Parkersburg, WV. Like many puppy mills, the Internet was a godsend for “Whispering Oaks Kennels.” The owners could present the mill as a quaint country farm, and ship puppies across...more
One of the dogs profiled is Parker, a mistreated dachshund who was rescued from a massive puppy mill in my backyard of Parkersburg, WV. Like many puppy mills, the Internet was a godsend for “Whispering Oaks Kennels.” The owners could present the mill as a quaint country farm, and ship puppies across...more
I love the DOGTOWN show and I loved this book of wonderful stories. I really liked how it was organized with the story of each dog from when it entered Dogtown until it was adopted (or not). The people who care for, train and love these dogs are real heroes who look for the best for all of their charges. No dog is considered hopeless.
Even though I have seen every episode of the show, I appreciated every page of this book. Some of the dogs were "old friends" and some were new....but all were int...more
Even though I have seen every episode of the show, I appreciated every page of this book. Some of the dogs were "old friends" and some were new....but all were int...more
Feb 27, 2010
Susan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Animal lovers everywhere
Recommended to Susan by:
Tara
Shelves:
animals
This book is based on Dogtown, the dog sanctuary part of Best Friends Animal Society (www.BestFriends.org) and on the National Geographic specials about Dogtown, where every dog is given the best life possible, whether able to be placed with a family or not.
The book is divided into chapters, each about a special dog and about the people who care for them. Included are great black and white photos of the dogs and those who care for them. The hardest chapter for me to read was the first, about a...more
The book is divided into chapters, each about a special dog and about the people who care for them. Included are great black and white photos of the dogs and those who care for them. The hardest chapter for me to read was the first, about a...more
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This book has a lot of interesting stories in it, and it's interesting to read about how things work at the best friends shelter. Sad to read about what some of the animals there have gone through, though, especially considering how many others are out there looking for homes and stuff.
I'd probably have given it a higher rating, but for some reason the style of writing just didn't really draw me in. It's still a book I'd recommend, though, especially for animal lovers.
I'd probably have given it a higher rating, but for some reason the style of writing just didn't really draw me in. It's still a book I'd recommend, though, especially for animal lovers.
DogTown is a book of wonderful rescue stories from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. All of the stories featured in this book have also been on the DogTown TV show on the National Geographic channel, so if you're a fan of the show you might recognize some of the stories. The dog stories are also interspersed with stories from the DogTown staff and how dogs have changed their lives. A very inspiring book - especially if you love animals.
A good read but many of the stories are taken from the National Geographic TV series. This is one case where it might actually be more meaningful to watch the DVD, where you can really get a sense of the dogs, the trainers, and the amazing Utah landscape where the Best Friends Sanctuary is located.
We visited Best Friends/DogTown in 2003 for a tour but we are going back to volunteer for a few days in less than a month! I am even more excited after finishing this book. There's not too much that you don't know from watching the show but you get a bit more in-depth information here.
Hard to read, but good to read. This amazing shelter of sorts is a safe place for dogs deemed untrainable, deadly, etc. It's a no kill shelter in Utah that takes essentially the worst of the worst. Each section focuses on a dog or a worker at the facility. Really enjoyed reading it. Serves as a reminder that abandoned/traumatized/abused animals aren't always lost causes that should be "put out of their own misery."
For those who have either watched the National Geographic series or fans of Best Friends Animal Society, this is a must read. The author lets the reader get to know the wonderful staff at this facility as well as the wonderful dogs they have been fortunate enough to work with.
This is an awe inspiring book. The people who run Dogtown are my heros. This book is a series of stories about individual dogs. Some have happy endings and some are terribly sad.
Heartwarming stories of the dogs featured on the Nat Geo TV show of the same name. I teared up during the last few pages. Even so, at times, the writing gets condescending and repetitive. (Yes, readers know the evils of puppy mills. We don't need frequent reminders.) Sometimes dog training and rehab are challenging. (I share my house with 2 rescued Siberian huskies.) Many of these stories don't seem to have this peak-flatline-valley of proper training; many of the dogs instantly and magically ch...more
This was a little disappointing because all of the dogs featured in the book had been on the show, so I already new their stories.
The dogs at DogTown, Best Friends are very lucky. It's inspiring to read the dogs stories and the dedicated people at Best Friends as well. I think my favorite part was the last segment about Mister Bones - he really seemed like the epitome of so many shelter dogs we see (I volunteer at my local shelter) and it was heart-breaking that he didn't get adopted for the longest time and then he finally did, only to die a few months later. But I know he was thankful for the TLC he got at DogTown and hi...more
Every story in this book just warmed my heart. This is such a great group of people, they give their all for animals in need. Bless their hearts!! I had great difficulty with two of the stories in this book, I cried so hard I didn't think I would ever stop...and that was Bruno's story and Mister Bones. If you are an animal lover, if you care about the innocent and the ones who are hurting and misunderstood, this book is for you. This book should be required reading in all schools! This organizat...more
Its really good, I love the stories about the dogs. Its so touching how hard the people in dog town try.
Eh... Read too much like a tv series would read (i had not seen the tv series). I guess I am not that huge a dog lover after all?
Heartbreaking stories, but so many heartwarming victories, too.
Simple storytelling, quick read, a little sappy, but hopeful.
Wonderful! I so hope to visit there someday.
I have watched the Dogtown show on NatGeo before, and always admired this amazing organization of people devoted to animals. Several of the animals in this book, I remember from the TV show. What an inspiring story of how animals can be helped with time, patience, and love. The people who work at Dogtown are true heroes. I would love to visit Best Friends one day, just to see the magnificent beauty of this haven for unwanted and abused animals. If I ever did, I know I wouldn't be leaving without...more
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