Monday, October 11, 2010

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.

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book, thanks for sharing.
    Ever since I had kids I haven't had much time to read, but I think I may have go out and buy this one:)

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  2. I had to take a few days off from reading it because the first 40 pages were so difficult to read. His descriptions are so graphic, but I feel it needed to be said to set up the rest of the book. It really is engrossing and I'm looking forward to getting to the parts where he tracks the individual dogs' stories, even though I already know many of them. I was pleasantly surprised to see this book debut at #10 on the NYT bestseller list.

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  3. Sounds good. Hearing his name makes mom say bad words.
    Benny & Lily

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  4. greetings from a welsh smallholder and his 2 welsh terriers and a scottie!

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  5. I am so excited to read this book!

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  6. Mom really wants to read dis book too! :)

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

    PeeS Hi to Lola

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