Interspersed with anecdotes about her ever-growing pack of dogs at home, her young daughter, and her struggles to maintain a relationship with her husband in light of her busy urban life, Klam tells the stories of several dogs who she discovers in need of her care.
She tells about finding an abandoned pit bull who shows signs of physical abuse. She and her infinitely forgiving husband take their first vacation in years, to visit a post Katrina New Orleans and view rescue efforts. They then get caught up in the search for a stray who is seen with a jar over its head (which it is later determined was not due to its efforts to get food, but by the evil-doings of juvenile delinquents).
Ultimately, Klam shows us that giving is often far more beneficial to ourselves than to the animals receiving.
This book was quite short, but very good reading. I love reading about people's efforts to help animals in need. I am a serious animal lover and have been since I was a child. A serious animal lover:
Me: Nice doggy (as I stick my hand through an alley way fence).
My Mother: Stop! Don't! (as she envisions the "nice doggy" nicely removing the better part of my right hand)
I am the person who, at a party, will be found in the corner petting the family dog or cat, rather than mingling. Honestly, it's like a disease... I was a freshman in college before I was able to watch the animated version of The Grinch Whole Stole Christmas because the big-green dude kept kicking and yelling at the little puppy (it took a good bottle of vodka and a couple of strong, male friends to hold me down to get through it).
In fact, I have avoided reading books in the past (The Yearling, Bambi) because I've been told that animals are hurt or killed in them. I have always envisioned leading such a life, rescuing animals and making life better for them. But, honestly, I would be terrible at it. I would never give a pet away once it lived with me. I would end up living in a zoo and being known as "the crazy dog/cat lady down the street"
But I wish I could.
And I cry every time I see those Sarah McLaughlin commercials!
Klam's writing is funny and heartwarmingly fulfilling. I look forward to reading more of her work.
4/5- Great. Push it on your friends and family.
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