Paws n Motion - Recommended Reading - Second Chances: More Tales of Found Dogs

Not all recommended dog books have to be about training or health to be of value. There are those out there that feed us on an emotional or spiritual level instead of an intellectual level, and that's okay too. In fact, it's important to read books like this because it reminds us why we bring dogs into our lives in the first place. This is a wonderful compilation of stories of dogs that were found, adopted, or rescued. It's the sequel to "Found Dogs," and all proceeds from both books benefit dog-related organizations like the ASPCA. In a society that focuses a lot of attention on purebred and "designer" dogs, this book and its predecessor brings shelter dogs, throwaway dogs, and mutts out of the shadows, and demonstrates that these dogs have as amazing characters and abilities as any purebred. The inspirational stories include that of Popsicle, the pit bull that had been used as a bait dog in a dog fighting organization and was later taken to a shelter where he faced breed-specific discrimination that made it difficult for him to find a home, only to be recruited by US Customs to become a drug-sniffing dog on the Mexican border; and Tommy True (partially blind and deaf) and Frances (deaf), both adopted by a gentleman who's made it his goal to provide a home to dogs that other people would consider "disabled." The photographs really help bring the stories to life, and make this book a great gift option for that rescue-dog-lover in your life. The stories exemplify human compassion and the trust, loyalty, and resilience of dogs. Two cautions: you will need a box of tissues, and you may find yourself with a sudden urge to visit your local animal shelter.

Not all rescue stories end as well as those featured in this book. Many so called "second hand" dogs do come with extra baggage, such as separation anxiety, fearfulness, or over-protectiveness of their new owners due to being abandoned, not to mention other issues, such as aggression, that might have developed because of mistreatment by previous owners. There are things you can do to help ease an adopted dog's transition into your home and ensure he's off to the best start possible. And it's entirely possible to "mess up" an otherwise perfectly emotionally healthy puppy from a breeder by not properly socializing the dog or providing the right structure in your home.