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August 15, 2011

Sharon Langford compiled stories and years worth of insights from the many rescued dogs with whom she has shared her life. Living With the Rescues: Life Lessons and Inspirations chronicles those experiences and details exactly how she manages such a large multi-dog household. I won’t mince words. I could NOT do what she does.

best dog blog, champion of my heart, photo of Lilly with the book ... Living With the Rescues
Look at that face? If that doesn't say, no more pups while I'm around ... I don't know what does.

Forever intrigued by the many definitions of “dog lover,” I can tell you unequivocally that Sharon’s story is outside my reality.

Loyal Champion of My Heart readers know that two dogs is my limit — for practical, emotional, and financial reasons. So, experiencing Sharon’s daily routine with juggling the special needs and personalities of so many dogs via the book exhausted me. Truly.

Complicated logistics and the fact that Sharon works, travels a good bit, and volunteers with rescue groups … not to mention all those calls friends make because, “Surely, Sharon will know what to do…” make me wonder if / when she ever gets any sleep.

I do, however, covet Sharon’s basement dog room with all its dens and accoutrements that she explains early on in the book. It’s very, very cool.

Sharon’s story reminded me of our local friends at Dream Valley Ranch, who juggle not just special needs doggy care but also special needs horsey care too.

After a big-picture introduction, Living With the Rescues devotes a chapter to each dog — current and past — in Sharon’s life. (There is a whole Crossing the Rainbow Bridge section that more sensitive readers might want to skip … unless you’re in the mood for a good boo-hoo.)

Through one or two salient tales from each dog’s life, you’ll learn:

  • How he / she came to live with Sharon
  • What particular medical or behavioral issues are at stake
  • Why Sharon values this dog in unique ways
  • What lessons she has learned from this dog

Proceeds from the book go to Daisy’s Legacy, a national trust for special needs dogs, established in memory of Sharon’s first rescue dog.

Of all the lessons in the book, this one from Kellye (an Irish Setter) resonated the most with me at this strange stage in my life:

“Make the most of where you are.”

The book I hope to write about Lilly will include our many shared lessons. What’s the best thing you’ve learned from your dog?

 

***

FTC Disclosure

Andrea Newsome from Greanleaf Book Group sent me a free copy of the book to review. Otherwise, I was not compensated in any way for this review.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. Will keep an eye out for this book. I’m always curious about the “how” of people doing rescue on a large scale.

    I can’t pick one lesson Honey teaches me–I do that every week at Something Wagging.

    But I do agree that dogs have so many lessons to teach us…if we’ll only listen.

  2. Too funny-I was thinking “that sounds like our life!” and then you actually wrote that 🙂 I will definitely read this book! How neat! Thanks for reviewing it! Kisses to sweet Lily!
    Sue

  3. Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a great book. We can learn so much from the dogs who pass through our lives. Right now, I’m learning by the foster puppy snoring next to me that I would be better off napping. Zzzzz… 🙂

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