Susie's Senior Dogs

by Erin Stanton

The viral Facebook sensation Susie's Senior Dogs has amassed over 500,000 fans as it advocates for the adoption of elderly dogs. Now Erin Stanton (Susie's owner) has written a heartwarming, compelling collection of "happy ending" adoption stories for our oldest and dearest canine pals.

In this collection of success stories culled from the nearly 500 matches SSD has facilitated, Erin Stanton—and Susie—talk to dozens of adopters who've learned what a perfect companion a senior dog can be. From Rudy, the 12-year-old Puggle who's a calm and sturdy first dog for two young boys, to Rocky, the shy German Shepherd who now escorts his owner on daily walks around their ranch, Susie's Senior Dogs celebrates dogs from all walks of life. And of course, we'll hear Susie's own story woven throughout! Featuring both internet "dog stars" like Chloe Kardoggian and Wolfgang, as well as brand-new, never-told stories of senior dogs getting a new lease on life, Susie's Senior Dogs will keep readers smiling and tails wagging!

This beautiful, upbeat book includes sidebars, Q&As, "Susie's Top Tips" and more, making it the perfect keepsake for animal lovers of all ages.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs, Biography, Pets

144 pages, Hardcover

Published October 25, 2016

Reviews

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣]

This book is filled with stories of varying lengths, some several pages, about senior dogs and their humans who brought them to their new home. Photos of the awesome pooches compliment the text, including closeups of doggy snouts. I wanna kiss them! A few are professional shots but most are those taken by the families, shelter workers, and fosters.

It's easy to see the stories are written by the individual contributors, each of their voices distinct. What they share in common is their love of these senior pups who need and deserve good homes and families.

A story contributed by someone who regularly volunteers at their local shelter is emotional and informative. She gives it to you straight but never loses sight of the love, the reason she does the difficult but 100% necessary tasks.

Both of the Stantons also contributed. I already knew some of the origin story of SSD and I liked getting more insight. I've been following Susie's Senior Dogs on Facebook since the beginning, I think. I have a vague memory of Brandon posting about Susie and the idea she had inspired in Erin. That over 500 senior dogs have been adopted thanks to SSD... Erin and everyone that has become a part of the network of shelters and fosters and adopters, they're all doing their part to make this world a better place, for dogs and humans alike.

This book is printed here in the U.S., and 100% of all profits are being put back into helping these senior snugglers find their forever humans. <3

[Runell]

My amazing boyfriend bought me this for Christmas after a lot of begging for many months.

I tried to take my time with it (being extremely sick helped a lot), but it was just too beautiful, too perfect, to read as slow as I wished I could to make it last longer.

Please, pick this little delightful book up. And remember, adopt, don't shop.

[Valerie Ihsan]

I loved this book. I bought it because 100% of the proceeds go to the Susie's Senior Dog project--an organization that educates about and supports the adoption of senior dogs, a cause I feel deeply about.

The book is beautiful with high quality photos of brave four-legged souls. Some of the stories are heart-breaking, but all are filled with love and dignity. I even, for the first time, can see myself fostering dogs in the future, as a result of reading this book. (Right now I have three big dogs, two with special needs, so a current foster situation might not be helpful to the dog in question. But it's something my heart wants to do now.)

[Deborah]

Great stories. Should include a warning: this book will make you want to rush out and adopt a senior dog. With two seniors of my own, I am resisting the urge. But I hope other readers will be persuaded!

[Katie Winkelman]

I absolutely love the idea of this book and the way it was written. It’s about real, life saving work being done and includes inspiring stories of rescued, senior dogs that (hopefully) encourages others to do the same (as it is MORE than greatly needed). However, as someone who does dog behavioral work for a living, the amount of ignorance within the stories regarding dog behavior (trainers, body language, etc) was killing me! That is the kind of stuff that is NOT helpful to dogs and I hope that most readers do not take advice (from certain parts) of this book, other than to adopt a senior dog instead of buying a puppy/being part of the problem, etc. (I will say there there was some good advice too though, such as being patient). There were also a multiple typos in the book which is isn’t impressive as it’s professionally published and not a lengthy, wordy book.
Overall, I would encourage people to read this, simply to gain an understanding of the great need for quality, adoptive homes for senior companion animals, but would note that training and behavioral advice (not that that was centered on in the book, but it stood out to me), should not be taken. Key overall point: SSD IS LIFESAVING. 💛

[Mimi]

<3 <3 <3

[Nina]

This book will have you crying 'get a load of that dog' more than you can count. Read at your own risk, because you will want to adopt a senior puppy after reading this!

[Maria L]

This one got me emotional from start to finish...love my fur babies

[Chrissy Mills]

4.5 ⭐️

[Emma]

I cried so hard. Happy tears, angry tears, and sad tears. I am so glad that these dogs got a chance to see what most humans can be like, loving and loyal. I, myself, have a dog whom I adopted from a group when she was a puppy. I later found out she has a brain disorder but that didn't stop me from loving her any less. If anything it made me love her more. My Charlie is a brave and happy girl and I am so glad that I was the one who fell in love with her the moment I held her tiny body in my arms. She is now almost four and I have loved every minute I have had with her and will continue to do so for many years to come.

[Katie | niftyreads]

First and foremost, for any animal lover out there, this is a great gift because all the proceeds go to help senior dogs in need! So why not get it? Secondly, it is a great and easy read. Honestly, I could have finished it in a day, but I stretched it out and saved it because I enjoyed every tale so much. Susie's human mom started Susie's Senior Dogs to raise awareness about senior dogs in shelters and to get people to adopt them. As a pet owner who has adopted/rescued (whatever term you want to use) six seniors now in my life, I can tell you first hand how rewarding it is. This book is just another way that solidified my choices. I hope more people pick it up, not only for the monetary help to charity, but because the stories are endearing and really educate that seniors have a whole lot of love and LIFE to give!!

[Glenda]

I sniffled and cried and smiled and repeated that, and also couldn't put this down after it arrived.

I pre-ordered a copy to support Susie's Senior Dog Rescue since I follow them on social media anyway, but didn't expect to sit down and read all of the dog stories practically in one sitting.

This is a lovely little read that makes my heart happy. I'm 100% in favor of adopt-foster-rescue of seniors from my own experience, and more so from these stories.

Love.

[Lori Monteiro]

Loved it!

I loved how it had adoption stories, and stories from foster parents. Fosters play such a large role in adopting dogs, yet they get overlooked. Hubby and I have 4 rescue dogs and volunteer with a miniature pinscher rescue. I love reading the stories, but bought the book to help SSD, since I love what they do.

[Karen & Gerard]

Susie's Senior Dogs by Erin Stanton tells the true story of senior dogs that have been given forever homes by people. I loved reading all the joy the dogs brought the people and the people gave their dogs. The pictures in the book are really good too! You can follow Erin and the Senior Dogs on Facebook and Instagram at "Susie's Senior Dogs." (Gerard's review)

[Deborah Lynch]

You might think that a book about senior dog adoptions stories would be sad. After all, these dogs are older, their time with their adoptive owners is sometimes quite short. Yet the stories are funny, inspiring, and feel good. The photos are an added bonus.

[Minna]

Quick read, but 110% worth it for the inspirational stories of senior dogs finding love with new forever families despite the odds. Just what I needed today.

[Holly Fairall]

Read this gem in a day, feel more inspired than ever to help improve animals' lives. Highly recommend to all! Heart-warming and enlightening and inspiring.