Second Chances: More Tales of Found Dogs

by Elise Lufkin, Jamie Lee Curtis (Foreword), Diana Walker (Photographer)

Every year, millions of dogs are abandoned-at animal shelters, racetracks, or on the side of the road. Many of these animals end their days without ever knowing a caring human hand, but some are fortunate enough to be found and given a second chance. And these dogs, often rescued from death's door, seem to have even more than the usual canine capacity for love and loyalty. Second Chances, is full of wonderful photos and words by people who have adopted dogs in myriad ways. Celebrities from Julio Iglesias, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Donna Shalala, and Oscar de la Renta to everyday heroes who have found dogs--from sleek greyhounds to scruffy mix-breeds--that have become service dogs, protectors, and friends, offering solace, aid, companionship and inspiration.

SECOND CHANCES is a moving tribute to the power of love between people and dogs-how that love has transformed dogs who were lost, and the people who were lucky enough to find them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals

196 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All royalties from the sale of this book and it's predecessor "Found Dogs-Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet" are donated to animal-related organizations. The stories and their pictures will bring a smile to your face and warm your heart.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heartwarming book from the authors of "Found Dogs."
I challenge anyone with their own dog to not want to give it extra hugs while you are reading these books!

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully compiled book sharing wonderful stories of abandoned dogs and the humans who decided to give them a second chance. In some cases, it is hard to tell who was offered the appeal, the dog or the human. In a beautifully written foreword by Jamie Lee Curtis, she uses the definition of friendship as "someone whom one knows, likes, and trusts." This can be said about all the stories in the book. Some dogs were rescued by celebrities and went on to lead a posh life, others showed their true colors by becoming service dogs that either helped people who couldn't help themselves or saved lives of people who found themselves in unfortunate places. In all stories, the dog is the hero, either by a heroic act or by just simply being a companion to a lost soul. Because that's what being a best friend means, being a friend for life.

[Peregrine 12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad they made a second book to follow Found Dogs: Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet. I read Second Chances before the other one, but they're both the same - one-page vignettes, written by dog owners about their dogs and their relationship to their dogs. As a dog owner and found-dog-rescuer myself, this book filled a need for me. So now my copy has a permanent home on my shelf.

(Special thanks to Lucky Dog Used Books in Dallas for keeping such a great and unexpected collection of inventory.)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me as a happy “feel” good book. Looking at its title I was afraid oh no another tear jerker and did not want a tear jerker but a feel happy book. The person that recommended was very right in that it is a feel happy book. A few of the stories made me laugh out loud as the dogs are rendered as characters. Sometimes it was the new owner in their naivety of dog ownership.

Any way I recommend this as a happy book and best thing when purchased proceeds go towards a good cause. And if you don’t want to read the stories some of the pictures are worth flipping through. Enjoy, ps there are two-three other books put out prior, now I just have to find them.

[Tom Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sequel to Lufkin's _Second Chances_, as heart warming as the first one. A big smile to be found with every turn of the page. This is a 'must read' for all those in rescue; for all animal lovers everywhere.
Elise Lufkin

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this lovely book from the library back in the late 90's. I loved the sotries of the shelted dogs who found loving homes, some after gorrific abuse. it will bring tears to your eyes. When I saw a copy at a book sale, I bought it to keep so i could re-read it. recommended for all dog lovers.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

To paraphrase Madeleine Albright--there's a special place in hell for people who abuse animals. This book is an anthology of true stories (a page or two each) about abused dogs who have found forever homes with good people. There is a photo of each dog with its new person. Some of the descriptions of what these dogs have been through is horrifying, but each story has a happy ending.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about dogs who found the right human. The stories are written by the owners of the dogs on how they started their life together. Some stories are a brief half page and other a couple pages, all have a picture accompanying them. This book shows for every evil person in the world there is a Angel to step in a make things right and help an animal heal.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really my kind of book -- vignettes of dogs who find a lovely forever home and bring joy to all their families, without too heavy a dose of what happened to them before. It won't hurt your heart to read these stories -- it is smiles all the way. thank you, Elise Lufkin.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet, hopeful book:) It made me happy, and feel loving:) Also, great photos- i especially like the ragamuffin on the front, but there are other gems inside too:)

[Margaret Antill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, I found myself crying more than a few times. An inspiring book filled with inspiring tales.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short snippets of owners and their adored found dogs. Portraits included.

[Melissa M]

also on loan from my animal-lover aunt (with it's "partner" book FOUND DOGS)

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching tales of humans and their "rescued" dogs -- sweet!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet little tales and pictures of strays, pound dogs, and other dogs who found their way into people's homes.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too repetitive, quit after 35 pages.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical. Reading it again today.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reminder of the beauty of the human-canine friendship.

[Everett Prchal]

it was a good book and i like dogs alot so i liked it and it was intersting how they got alot of different stories and put it in a book about giving dogs a second chance