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Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself: A Man and His Dog's Struggle to Find Salvation
An inspiring story about determination, bullying, and the invisible hands that brought a man and dog together to overcome their dark legacies. While hiking on a solo vacation in a remote, uninhabitable region of Arizona, Zachary Anderegg happened upon Riley, an emaciated puppy clinging to life, at the bottom of a 350-foot canyon. In a daring act of humanity that trumped the deliberate savagery behind Riley’s presence in such a place, Zak single-handedly orchestrated a delicate rescue. What didn’t come out in the initial burst of publicity this story received is that Zak and Riley’s destinies were intertwined long before they improbably found each other. For much of Zak’s childhood, he was at the bottom of a veritable canyon himself—a canyon whose imprisoning depth and darkness was created by bullies who just wouldn’t quit and parents who weren’t capable of love. From the age of five, Zak was everyone’s favorite target. When Zak came upon Riley, the puppy’s condition bespoke his abusers’ handiwork—three shotgun pellets embedded beneath his skin, teeth turned permanently black from malnutrition. The meeting was one of a man and a dog singularly suited to save each other. As a former US Marine sergeant, Zak was one of only a few people with the mettle and physical wherewithal to get Riley out. And in rescuing him, Zak was also attempting to save himself, conquering the currents of cruelty that swelled beneath his early life and always threatened to drown him. 21 color photographs
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2013
About the author
Zachary Anderegg
3 books8 followersBorn & raised in Wisconsin. Joined the Marines at age 17. Honorably served four years receiving two Navy Achievement medals for personal performance.
Lived in Newport, RI as well as St. Thomas, USVI after leaving the Marines. Owned & operated a yacht brokerage in Dana Point, CA with his wife from 2002-2009. Owned & operated a self-serve auto repair shop that he started from 2009-2012.
Found a dying puppy in the bottom of a slot canyon on June 20, 2010 and was featured on the Today Show, Inside Edition & the Ellen show. Three years later had a book published. Life is a crazy journey!!!
Lived in Newport, RI as well as St. Thomas, USVI after leaving the Marines. Owned & operated a yacht brokerage in Dana Point, CA with his wife from 2002-2009. Owned & operated a self-serve auto repair shop that he started from 2009-2012.
Found a dying puppy in the bottom of a slot canyon on June 20, 2010 and was featured on the Today Show, Inside Edition & the Ellen show. Three years later had a book published. Life is a crazy journey!!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 5, 2013
I was given the opportunity to read the advance reader's copy. I'm so glad that I did. This book is not only about a heroic dog rescue but also about a life journey and the long term effects bullying and the mistreatment of children can have on the adults they become. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the struggles that Zak has had as an adult from their own pasts. There is so much to be learned from our beloved dogs. Riley (the rescued puppy) is such a good example of "letting go" of the past and learning to trust people again.
I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I did.
I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I did.
December 4, 2013
Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself is an adventure story on the surface, but it digs much more deeply into the narrator’s psyche than most adventure stories do. This is what makes it true to the memoir genre. Author and co-author have done a marvelous job of taking the story of the abandoned dog’s rescue, which is amazing in itself, and tying it together with the backstory of the author’s own childhood traumas and disappointments and abandonments. It’s never easy to tie two stories together, and the way it’s done in this book works well. I recommend this for animal lovers and for human lovers—for anyone who has ever been bullied or bullied someone else—two things that are not mutually exclusive.
To write an honest memoir, you have to be willing to let the world see you at your most pathetic and most human. Zak had absolutely no training in this: no writing workshops, no classes. And he managed, with Pete’s guidance, to write a brilliant memoir. I applaud him for being brave enough to let the world see him at his worst when the temptation surely would have been there to only show him at his best.
This is also a good book for parents to read, because it makes you think deeply about how much the things you do and say, that may seem small to you at the time, can impact a child. The lesson at the end is loud and clear—love, empathy and compassion are stronger forces than any pain that we inflict on one another.
To write an honest memoir, you have to be willing to let the world see you at your most pathetic and most human. Zak had absolutely no training in this: no writing workshops, no classes. And he managed, with Pete’s guidance, to write a brilliant memoir. I applaud him for being brave enough to let the world see him at his worst when the temptation surely would have been there to only show him at his best.
This is also a good book for parents to read, because it makes you think deeply about how much the things you do and say, that may seem small to you at the time, can impact a child. The lesson at the end is loud and clear—love, empathy and compassion are stronger forces than any pain that we inflict on one another.
November 5, 2017
I've wanted to read this book for a couple of years. I first read about Riley on the Canyon Puppy site. It left me wanting more. Kind of like in "Wild" there is a back story that ties in with the main one. In this case it's about being bullied as a kid. As the book progresses, he identifies behaviours and family actions that contribute to being victimized. He learns coping mechanisms, and ultimately how to get out of the vicious cycle. At the end he confronts his tormenters, and finds peace with himself. Meanwhile there's a daring rescue of Riley from the bottom of a slot canyon in Arizona. I enjoyed the rock climbing part of "Into the Wild", and this book features that in detail too. Lastly it's about the love of a man and his dog. Well worth reading.
May 26, 2015
He went off the rails with the lengthy yacht discussion. I liked the premise and the story (the saving of the dog, and how it related to/reflected on Anderegg's upbringing). But holy crap, this book needed a good editor.
May 28, 2022
Interesting and well-written, but it's really not about the dog.
February 11, 2017
Rating 2.5. This book purports to be about a dog rescue with side parallels to the life of the rescuer who was bullied. In actuality it's a book about the rescuer with a side of dog rescue. Not what I expected or wanted to read. The dog rescue was interesting. The bullying wore thin very, very quickly. It was all about pooorrr Zak. Clearly he was terribly affected by these incidences and has never been able to let go of his anger. I personally think that gives the power to the abuser. I have refused to allow them to have the power. The things they did to me was on them, not on me. I learned to fight back, stop the abuse, and hold myself apart thereafter. I have forgiven, but never forgot. It made me the winner. I think that's what Riley did. Zak should take a page from his book.
Want to Read
December 31, 2013The author and the dog were just at my store doing a book signing, so I met Riley and he is a sweetheart!! Looking forward to reading this, and I even got it signed! :)
September 27, 2014
Feeling and Healing
If you're looking for a funny, laugh out loud book, you've chosen the wrong one. This is a heartfelt story of a dog that was abused, the man who tried to rescue it and the realization that their existence was more alike than when they first came in contact with each other.
When I first saw this story on Facebook, I was so sad that someone would do such a horrible thing as to abandon a vulnerable animal in a place where no one would find it, depriving it of food and water, to die a horrible death, well, it was unimaginable. I have a deep love of all creatures and the thought of someon doing that to that puppy made me cry.
Then I found out the author had a story to tell that was parallel to what Riley, the puppy, endured. I must applaud Zach Anderegg's strength and courage in retelling the story of his life. it certainly made me look at bullying in a much clearer light. I have never been bullied nor have I bullied anyone else but I didn't fully recognize the deep, long-lasting effects bullying has on a young persons sense of self.
His personal story was painful to read about and appeared to be told with a "no holes barred" attitude that flowed very smoothly with his reenactment of Riley's rescue. I'm so happy they found each other. The fact that Zach has learned so much from Riley is a testimony to the human races ability to change what has been ingrained in our minds and souls to make us a better version or ourselves. Congratulations to him.
I will continue to shout to anyone I know about reading this book and how it's not just a story about saving an animal. It's a story of feeling and healing.
If you're looking for a funny, laugh out loud book, you've chosen the wrong one. This is a heartfelt story of a dog that was abused, the man who tried to rescue it and the realization that their existence was more alike than when they first came in contact with each other.
When I first saw this story on Facebook, I was so sad that someone would do such a horrible thing as to abandon a vulnerable animal in a place where no one would find it, depriving it of food and water, to die a horrible death, well, it was unimaginable. I have a deep love of all creatures and the thought of someon doing that to that puppy made me cry.
Then I found out the author had a story to tell that was parallel to what Riley, the puppy, endured. I must applaud Zach Anderegg's strength and courage in retelling the story of his life. it certainly made me look at bullying in a much clearer light. I have never been bullied nor have I bullied anyone else but I didn't fully recognize the deep, long-lasting effects bullying has on a young persons sense of self.
His personal story was painful to read about and appeared to be told with a "no holes barred" attitude that flowed very smoothly with his reenactment of Riley's rescue. I'm so happy they found each other. The fact that Zach has learned so much from Riley is a testimony to the human races ability to change what has been ingrained in our minds and souls to make us a better version or ourselves. Congratulations to him.
I will continue to shout to anyone I know about reading this book and how it's not just a story about saving an animal. It's a story of feeling and healing.
August 6, 2016
An direct, open, unusually well-written book that reveals the deep suffering and long-lasting effects that severe bullying can have on its victims. Through the rescue of a severely malnourished and dehydrated dog senselessly left to die in a remote wilderness spot from which there is no hope of escape, the author is reminded of, recounts, and begins to come to terms with his own childhood--a childhood in which he was emotionally abandoned by adult caregivers while being severely bullied and treated as an outcast by those his own age. The child is indeed the father of the man. When a child is profoundly alone in suffering and interpreting ongoing social, emotional, physical, and relational cruelty, the child inevitably learns and relearns the lessons his own life is teaching him--lessons about himself, his worth, life, and the untrustworthiness of others. A masterfully constructed window into the world of a bullied child become adult. Lest anyone think this book is simply a depressing downer, it isn't. It has has a happy ending for both man and dog. And leaves the reader not depressed, but richer. Hope and change, this book says, is possible. And begins with us, wherever and whoever we are, as we contemplate truths that this book so eloquently demonstrates.
March 6, 2014
Disturbingly insightful book about a man rescuing a dog while reflecting on a past life of neglect, bullying and self depreciation. It made me very sad that one's past left this child feeling unable to make any friends until he stumbled into a way to slowly reconnect somewhat, to life and love. I think Zachary is still a work in progress and I wish him love, happiness, and hope he finds an ability to laugh and relax.
September 4, 2018
An interesting story about a man who rescues a dog from a canyon. What makes the story into a book is how Anderegg weaves his personal story of being neglected and bullied into the story of the rescue and the puppy. Enjoyed reading it, but not for right before sleep!
February 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m in the middle with the rating system for this book. I give the author credit for his good intentions, but the story fell a little flat for me. I guess I wanted more dog in the story and less the author’s sad background. Nevertheless, he rescued a dog he found in the very bottom of a 350 foot canyon. No one knows how he really got there. The dog was still a pup, starving and emaciated. The author likes to go on solo rappelling hikes, a skill he leaned while in the Marines. While living in Salt Lake City in 2010, he went on such a trip to Page, Arizona, and came upon the aforementioned pup. He was very detailed, technical, and descriptive about how he went about the rescue. And there are some great color photos in the middle of the book. But there are lot of flashbacks to his childhood and how bullied he was in school coupled with divorced parents who weren’t able to make him feel loved. This book came out in 2013 and Riley has crossed the rainbow bridge now.
The 52 Book Club Challenge - 2024
Prompt #16 - a book relating to the phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs”
I’m in the middle with the rating system for this book. I give the author credit for his good intentions, but the story fell a little flat for me. I guess I wanted more dog in the story and less the author’s sad background. Nevertheless, he rescued a dog he found in the very bottom of a 350 foot canyon. No one knows how he really got there. The dog was still a pup, starving and emaciated. The author likes to go on solo rappelling hikes, a skill he leaned while in the Marines. While living in Salt Lake City in 2010, he went on such a trip to Page, Arizona, and came upon the aforementioned pup. He was very detailed, technical, and descriptive about how he went about the rescue. And there are some great color photos in the middle of the book. But there are lot of flashbacks to his childhood and how bullied he was in school coupled with divorced parents who weren’t able to make him feel loved. This book came out in 2013 and Riley has crossed the rainbow bridge now.
The 52 Book Club Challenge - 2024
Prompt #16 - a book relating to the phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs”
April 28, 2022
Very moving story of one man's bravery and determination to save a helpless puppy. In his determination to save the puppy he began to understand, come to term with and begin to recovery from the abuse he suffered in his childhood.
July 18, 2025
This would have been a fantastic short story about the dog.
September 25, 2018
I am such an animal lover that this book really hit home. But also the “real” story of the author’s own trauma of being bullied as a child and the lack of support from his parents. I hope everyone who reads this book will come away with how they can help someone else in life especially if they see signs of bullying in a young person.
Don’t miss out on this encouraging book.
Don’t miss out on this encouraging book.
January 6, 2018
My heart still feels like it has been prodded by a sharp stick. I found this nonfiction book so touching and powerful, I know it will linger with me for a long time. The story begins when Zak Anderegg, a young vet in his 30's, is climbing and rappelling through a slot canyon outside of Page, Arizona. He is an expert climber and has a passion for it. As he descends this particular slot canyon he finds a pit at the bottom in which is huddled a black puppy, near death.
It is clear that the puppy could not have ended up in that pit on its own; someone intentionally placed the pup there and then left him to die a slow and horrible death. Zak attempts to rescue the little dog and in so doing opens up an emotional torrent relating to the bullying he suffered as a child.
This is why I read books--to be touched by the struggles and victories people face; how adversity sometimes can launch us into new realms of possibilities and can free us from the weight of sorrow that we carry. Its success has to do with the size of the fight in the dog, just like the little black dog trapped 350 deep down in a pit.
It is clear that the puppy could not have ended up in that pit on its own; someone intentionally placed the pup there and then left him to die a slow and horrible death. Zak attempts to rescue the little dog and in so doing opens up an emotional torrent relating to the bullying he suffered as a child.
This is why I read books--to be touched by the struggles and victories people face; how adversity sometimes can launch us into new realms of possibilities and can free us from the weight of sorrow that we carry. Its success has to do with the size of the fight in the dog, just like the little black dog trapped 350 deep down in a pit.
February 14, 2024
This memoir was an interesting read. I was interested in the two storylines of the book, the one about the rescuing of the dog and the one about the impact of bullying. Thankfully I never felt bullied, I was lucky enough to escape harassment because I had a protective brother, and a mother who set an example of how to "stand your ground" when appropriate. This is an important book for many of us to read; empathy is an important part of our emotional intelligence, and sometimes it takes another person to highlight certain behaviours that may not have been noticed and, if possible, acted upon, particularly if a person is in a position to be able to do something about it. For me, the book is all about empathy, the lack of it, and the gaining of it.
June 22, 2018
Great book
I loved this book. My heart broke for Zach because of his childhood experience and I will pray that his road to emotional healing will now be smoothed out and I have faith that he will be the one that stops the cycle of abuse in his family. His children will be loved and nurtured and will be able to pass it down to their kids. What a wonderful man who is blessed by an awesome wife. They share their love for each other with their pets. Now that's living the "life of Riley"!☺ I pray that they are successful in all of their future endeavors.
I loved this book. My heart broke for Zach because of his childhood experience and I will pray that his road to emotional healing will now be smoothed out and I have faith that he will be the one that stops the cycle of abuse in his family. His children will be loved and nurtured and will be able to pass it down to their kids. What a wonderful man who is blessed by an awesome wife. They share their love for each other with their pets. Now that's living the "life of Riley"!☺ I pray that they are successful in all of their future endeavors.
March 17, 2016
One to touch your heart
This is a beautiful story about how the interaction of a human being and an animal can be healing to both of them. Well told by the human involved, the tale of rescue against difficult odds will move you, because saving an abandoned animal helps a man face his own demons. Great material about bullying and its impact on both bullies and victims. This is a very special book.
This is a beautiful story about how the interaction of a human being and an animal can be healing to both of them. Well told by the human involved, the tale of rescue against difficult odds will move you, because saving an abandoned animal helps a man face his own demons. Great material about bullying and its impact on both bullies and victims. This is a very special book.
June 25, 2017
Get the tissues ready!
I absolutely loved this book. It's not necessary to be an animal lover as am but I'm sure you'll feel the rush to read this book as soon as reading the description before purchasing. And regarding the bullying , it disturbed me deeply. Parents - try and get your kids to read book. Even if they aren't bullies themselves, they will have more compassion for those on the receiving end.
GREAT BOOK!!😅
I absolutely loved this book. It's not necessary to be an animal lover as am but I'm sure you'll feel the rush to read this book as soon as reading the description before purchasing. And regarding the bullying , it disturbed me deeply. Parents - try and get your kids to read book. Even if they aren't bullies themselves, they will have more compassion for those on the receiving end.
GREAT BOOK!!😅
January 6, 2018
Acts of cruelty to animals by lowlife humanity is so sickening. A chance discovery by Zachary Andregg of a starving dehydrated young dog that had been left at the bottom of a canyon to die, and the subsequent rescue and care he gave the poor animal makes a heartwarming story. Woven into the story is Zachary's own experience of being constantly bullied as a young boy, and the damage bullying does to the victim.
January 9, 2018
For the most part, I liked this book.
From the start, though, it frustrated me how people can be so cruel to each other and animals. I'm glad Riley was found and rescued by Zak and Zak is on his way to recovering from his past.
BE NICE.
From the start, though, it frustrated me how people can be so cruel to each other and animals. I'm glad Riley was found and rescued by Zak and Zak is on his way to recovering from his past.
BE NICE.
July 6, 2015
Popsugar 2015 Reading Challenge
A nonfiction book.
A nonfiction book.
August 11, 2019
In June 2010, Zak was hiking in the canyons of Arizona and happened to look down and saw a puppy in a hole. He rappelled down and found the puppy was near death ... it was obvious the puppy had been there for a while. Zak rappelled back up, headed to a store for food and water for the puppy and returned that day, moving him onto a blanket for the night, promising to be back the next day to rescue him.
Zak managed to get the puppy out of the hole and took him to a local vet. After a couple of days of fluids and care, the puppy was ready to leave ... and Zak took him home to be part of his family and named him Riley.
Zak assumed that someone had intentionally lowered the puppy into the hole to die. This brought back feelings and emotions in him of when he was bullied as a child and had no one to turn to. Despite the title of this book, this is more a story about Zak, his childhood, being bullied, his non-responsive parents and still carrying the emotional baggage than rescuing and adopting Riley. So while an interesting story, it wasn't quite what I was expecting ... I thought it would be more about Riley than Zak. It's obvious that Riley is doing well nine years later ... I hope Zak has found the peace and closure he has been looking for.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/08...
Zak managed to get the puppy out of the hole and took him to a local vet. After a couple of days of fluids and care, the puppy was ready to leave ... and Zak took him home to be part of his family and named him Riley.
Zak assumed that someone had intentionally lowered the puppy into the hole to die. This brought back feelings and emotions in him of when he was bullied as a child and had no one to turn to. Despite the title of this book, this is more a story about Zak, his childhood, being bullied, his non-responsive parents and still carrying the emotional baggage than rescuing and adopting Riley. So while an interesting story, it wasn't quite what I was expecting ... I thought it would be more about Riley than Zak. It's obvious that Riley is doing well nine years later ... I hope Zak has found the peace and closure he has been looking for.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/08...
November 13, 2023
I had a difficult time relating saving a puppy to reflecting on one's childhood traumas (awful as they were) - and I found that the book focused on connecting the two scenarios a little too much. I did enjoy the descriptions of the slot canyons in Arizona, the technical aspects of climbing, and the relationship between the author and his wife.
I think I kept expecting the last third of the book to talk more about the dog (Riley), its healing, and how it fit into the new family. We did get some information about this, but I didn't feel much of a connection between Zac and Riley after he brought him home from the vet.
Perhaps the entire idea of bullying a child made me very uncomfortable. Maybe that's why this book didn't click with me. I believe other reviewers have mentioned that the story has brought "stuff" up from their childhood - I know it did with me. And maybe I just wanted to read a feel good story about a rescued dog.
I think I kept expecting the last third of the book to talk more about the dog (Riley), its healing, and how it fit into the new family. We did get some information about this, but I didn't feel much of a connection between Zac and Riley after he brought him home from the vet.
Perhaps the entire idea of bullying a child made me very uncomfortable. Maybe that's why this book didn't click with me. I believe other reviewers have mentioned that the story has brought "stuff" up from their childhood - I know it did with me. And maybe I just wanted to read a feel good story about a rescued dog.
November 2, 2023
Ugh. I have sympathy for the author’s difficulties, and the fact is he was the victim of bad parenting and seemed to really like his role as the victim. There is not much positivity or optimism in this story. And a TON of assumptions are made, such as how the dog ended up in the canyon (NO ONE ON EARTH KNOWS) and if a human was behind it, he made more assumptions about that person, but again nobody knows.
More assumptions: according to the author, only men buy motorcycles and yachts, and if you decide to enjoy a cruise on a yacht while on vacation that makes you lazy and useless to humanity. And he labeled his own relatives who struggled with mental illness and addiction as “crazy” and “insane”.
My one wish for this author is that he reads The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz.
More assumptions: according to the author, only men buy motorcycles and yachts, and if you decide to enjoy a cruise on a yacht while on vacation that makes you lazy and useless to humanity. And he labeled his own relatives who struggled with mental illness and addiction as “crazy” and “insane”.
My one wish for this author is that he reads The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz.
November 18, 2023
This is one of those BookBub bargains I pick up now and then. If you’re an animal lover, it may cause a few tears- likewise if you care about children.
Besides relating the extraordinary steps he took to rescue the poor dog, the author also offers insights into bullying, of which he was a victim during his childhood. This is all of a piece with the story of the dog having been abandoned at the bottom of a canyon.
There is a clip on YouTube of their appearance on Ellen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQozL...
It’s very sweet.
So yes, this was a touching story and does not take a lot of time to read. It could be a YA book, especially for students (13 and older, I’d say) during a school’s anti-bullying campaign.
Besides relating the extraordinary steps he took to rescue the poor dog, the author also offers insights into bullying, of which he was a victim during his childhood. This is all of a piece with the story of the dog having been abandoned at the bottom of a canyon.
There is a clip on YouTube of their appearance on Ellen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQozL...
It’s very sweet.
So yes, this was a touching story and does not take a lot of time to read. It could be a YA book, especially for students (13 and older, I’d say) during a school’s anti-bullying campaign.
November 15, 2023
Bullying is NEVER acceptable
This is a great account of how bullying impacts humans and animals. Riley was discarded and left to die. Fortunately, he was miraculously found and saved. Zak went above and beyond, thank goodness and got Riley the care he needed after getting him out of a pothole in a canyon where he could not have gotten to by accident. Zak was able to better understand his own bullying as a child as he tried to understand Riley's abuse. This is a great book to hopefully realize it is never acceptable behavior to abuse or bully any living thing. Thank you for sharing your story, Zak and thank you for saving Riley.
This is a great account of how bullying impacts humans and animals. Riley was discarded and left to die. Fortunately, he was miraculously found and saved. Zak went above and beyond, thank goodness and got Riley the care he needed after getting him out of a pothole in a canyon where he could not have gotten to by accident. Zak was able to better understand his own bullying as a child as he tried to understand Riley's abuse. This is a great book to hopefully realize it is never acceptable behavior to abuse or bully any living thing. Thank you for sharing your story, Zak and thank you for saving Riley.
February 16, 2022
Since hearing of this book I’ve wanted to read it. I’m glad I did. Riley’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful. I found myself wishing to hear more about Riley’s involvement with Eric and less about Eric’s insights into the sad relationships that shaped his life. Having had to deal with my own painful periods growing up in a dysfunctional family some of these remembrances hit close to home. Riley was lucky that Eric found him and rescued him. Hopefully the person responsible for leaving this pup to die in a pothole inside a slot canyon hasn’t caused more pain and suffering for others.
May 13, 2017
I first saw this story on the internet and got a copy of the book. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. An emotional story about the turmoil suffered by children who are bullied. It was not a coincidence that the author came upon this dog who undoubtedly would have died had it not been for him. Even though I already knew the dog survived, I still found myself reading it as though I did not know the outcome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews