The Lost Dogs: A Review

I never really planned on reading The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant, but I saw there was an e-book at my library so I decided to give it a try.  I had nothing against the idea of the book, and I actually thought it was great that somebody wanted to write about what these dogs went through, but I thought it may be too difficult to read.  I was right in someways, but I was extremely wrong in others.

There are three parts to this book, and the first part was by far the hardest to read.  The first part, is about the investigation of the fighting ring. And I have to say,  there are some very specific details.  I actually skipped part of the first part.  I could not bring myself to read the horrific details that some of these dogs went through.  And the one part I did read, about what Michael Vick did to a dog was so horrific that I actually started crying.

Once I got to the second and third part, it was much better.  I could not put the book (or more correctly my nook) down.  I was hooked.  Gorant focused on specific dogs and told their stories, from the shelter, to foster home(s) and beyond.  I felt like I was right there with the dogs as they went through their troubles and triumphs.  I was especially drawn to Jonny Rotten and Jasmine's story.  Two very different dogs and situations.  But in both cases the humans that came in to help these dogs did amazing jobs giving them the love and affection and attention they never had.  They gave them a home and made them special.  

Jim Gorant did an amazing job of telling this story.  I felt like I could feel the different personalities of each of the dogs.  I felt like I was watching each dog.  I was laughing and crying throughout the story.  There are hilarious and sad moments.  Gorant, did a great job giving these dogs a voice and face.  They are no long the Micheal Vick dogs, they are Jasmine, Jonny, Sweet Pea, and so many more.

I would highly recommend this book, to any dog lover.  You will cry, but you will also laugh, and in the end I am sure you will love it.