My Old Dog – Book Review
Ever since my last dog passed away and I moved across the country many years ago, I’ve been pining for a canine companion to fill the void.
Like most prospective dog parents, when I dream of a new addition to my family, images of adorable young puppies go dancing through my head. But, when reality sets in and I remember all of the patience and energy it takes to transform a gregarious young pup into a good canine citizen, I must confess – adopting an older dog sounds a whole lot more appealing.
It appears I’m not the only person who’s come to that realization.
In My Old Dog – Rescued Pets With Remarkable Second Acts (written by Laura T. Coffrey and photographed by Lori Fusaro), you’ll read story after amazing story about individuals who have discovered that older dogs make incredible pets.
Along the way, you’ll learn why, in many instances, older dogs are a better fit for your family than those cute but untrained puppies that you might be tempted to gravitate towards!
My Old Dog is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging book that is filled with gorgeous photographs of dogs that have been blessed by a second chance in life and stories of the remarkable people who cared enough to save them from what would have otherwise been a certain death.
Here are a few of the rescued pets you’ll fall in love with in My Old Dog:
Einstein, 10 – Photo © Lori Fusaro
Einstein, the 10-year old, food-obsessed cocker spaniel who melted George Clooney’s heart. This cutie made the legendary actor and filmmaker so nervous about being liked, that he smeared meatballs all over his shoes before his home-safety check to help ensure that Einstein would take a shining to him!
Cody. Age 9 – Photo © Lori Fusaro
Cody, an amazing 9 year-old K9 with an exemplary record of police service who, through no fault of his own, was forced into early retirement. One unfortunate circumstance after another resulted in Cody being taken to doggy jail, where the end results could have been disastrous – but lady luck finally shined upon him and he now has a loving home where he guards his best friend, 8-year old Maddy.
Rocky, Age 15 – Photo © Lori Fusaro
Rocky, the 15-year old Golden Retriever has suffered a stroke, is battling cancer, has arthritis, has lost his best bud and brother Boomer and is obese – but that doesn’t stop him from making the most of his second act and bringing joy to others! Rocky is a full-time resident at Rosario Assisted Living in Washington, where he serves as an anchor and best friend to a group of older women living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The residents sing nothing but praises for Rocky:
Rocky is perfect.
He loves people.
He helps all of us.
Each story in this heartwarming book will have you wanting to run down to your nearest animal shelter to rescue and embrace a senior dog of your very own – and the author provides plenty of tips and resources to help you do just that! You’ll learn what you can do to help senior dogs live healthier, happier lives (whether or not you are able to adopt a dog of your own) – and you’ll have a state-by-state listing of all of the senior-specific rescue groups at your fingertips.
Hands down, My Old Dog is one of the best books I have read this year, and one of my favorite dog books of all time!
I cannot recommend My Old Dog highly enough to you and to all of your dog-loving friends.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
My Old Dog – An Interview With The Author & Photographer
About Laura Coffey
Laura T. Coffey is a longtime writer, editor, and producer for TODAY.com, the website of NBC’s TODAY show. A journalist with more than two decades of experience, Laura has written and edited hundreds of high-profile human-interest stories. She has won numerous awards, including first-place feature-writing awards from the Society for Features Journalism and the Dog Writers Association of America. Laura lives in Seattle with her husband, Michael, her son, Tyler, and their dogs and cat.
About Lori Fusaro
Lori Fusaro is staff photographer at Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles and owner of Fusaro Photography, whose clients include BAD RAP, Guide Dogs for the Blind, k9 connection, Angel City Pit Bulls, and other animal-rescue organizations. She also serves on the advisory council for HeARTs Speak. An advocate for homeless animals, Lori has donated her time to photograph dogs and cats at shelters to increase their chances of being adopted. Lori lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Darrell, and their dogs and cats.
Resources
For More Information
- Visit the My Old Dog Website.
- Visit Laura’s Website.
- Visit Lori’s Website.
- Read this article on how A Paw-Some Adventure Leads To A Heartwarming New Book.
- My Old Dog is available on Amazon.
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- Visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews.
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My Old Dog – Autographed Book Giveaway
Thanks to the generosity of New World Library, Create With Joy is thrilled to offer one of our US readers a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of My Old Dog!
To enter this giveaway, please follow Create With Joy, leave a comment, and submit your entries through the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway is open to Create With Joy readers, 18 years and older, who reside in the United States, and is open now through Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST.
Additional Information
The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. The sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. The winner releases Create With Joy from all liability associated with this product/contest. All decisions by Create With Joy are final. The complete Terms and Conditions are listed on the Rafflecopter form. By submitting an entry, you are indicating that you have read and agree to these Official Rules.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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I would consider adopting a senior dog. I am thinking of fostering also. We have two adopted dogs from shelters and love them to pieces. We could never imagine how much joy they would bring into our lives. They are getting to be seniors; one is ten and the other is turning eight in January. I dread the day when they won’t be here any more. I love them so much.
This book would be for me and I would pass it along to my children to read also.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thank you for sharing your story Deborah – it’s so inspiring! I SO miss having a dog and would even love to foster one but my circumstances don’t permit it. You will find the stories in this book SO heartwarming and it will definitely nurture the loving values in your children I know you want to pass along!
Thanks so much for being the first to find and enter the giveaway for this VERY special book! 🙂
Ack! I had not heard of this book?! Thank you for sharing! My dog was an adult when I rescued her. Some college students had abandoned her and her pups when they moved out early without notifying the landlord! She kept her pups alive but without food and water she was in bad shape. The landlord placed an ad in hopes of finding homes for the pups. She was surprised when I asked about the puppies’ mom. I brought her home and she is THE BEST dog I’ve ever seen. She looks kind of like Cody in your blog post. 😍
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
That’s so amazing Gina, especially considering how much more difficult it is to place an older dog than it is a younger dog!
I think most people automatically think of puppies when it comes “dog adoption” time because that’s what we’re conditioned to do.
By raising awareness – through personal testimonies like yours and the ones shared in this book – people begin to really think about what’s right for them and look at the animals before them in a different light.
Cody’s story is amazing – one of my favorites in the book! 🙂
This book sounds very heart-warming. We lost our old dog not too long ago. I would consider getting an old dog, if we moved somewhere with a yard. Thanks for the review 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I’m so sorry you lost your dear dog, Lisa. I hope you have a chance to read this book.
It is hands down one of my favorite books of the year – a must for any pet lover’s library! 🙂
We adopted an adorable sweet dog from Lap Dog Rescue which was the best thing ever. What a joy Bogie is, sensitive, smart, energetic and a true companion and sage.
My older dog, Charlie, passed away January 4, 2012, he was my best buddy in the world. A chocolate lab. I still have not adopted another dog, sometimes I think a puppy would be best, but I love old dogs so much. There is something so special about them.
I think I am waiting for an old dog to come along that needs a home.
That sounds like a great book.
I haven’t rescued an old dog before — but our dog that was a rescue dog is not getting quite old. I know I would enjoy reading this.
What a wonderful book! Animals of all ages need homes and an older dog can be a much better fit that a rambunctious puppy.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
This is such a wonderful book – one you’ll read over and over again!
So glad you joined us – best of luck to you!
What cute dogs and I love the concept behind this book. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
We have discussed adopting an older Basset Hound for our next pet. Pierre will eventually go back to live with our daughter and Bentley will be very lonesome. I believe in always having two dogs.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
That sounds awesome – I believe in the power of two as well!
Twitter: browndogcbr
says:
Hi Y’all!
What a wonderful read…hopefully it will help old dogs who’ve fallen on hard times find loving forever homes.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Hawk,
I find it hard to imagine that anyone who read even 1 story in this amazing book would not want to open their hearts and homes to a senior dog – let alone reading the entire book!
I am savoring each and every story (multiple times!)
Have a wonderful week and thanks for joining us Hawk! 🙂
All month I’ve been campaigning with the HD to adopt and senior dog I saw at one of our local rescue centers. I didn’t even know it was adopt a senior month . This dogs eyes just spoke to my soul. When I finally won the campaign and went to pick him up he had been adopted the day before 🙁 Soon I’m on the search fora another senior to give a home to.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I’m so sorry that you did not get the dog you wanted Carol, but so happy that he did go to a good home and thrilled that you won the campaign to add a special companion to your life!
I can’t WAIT to meet the special dog that you DO adopt!
Best of luck to you in the giveaway (even if you don’t win, buy the book – it’s a must have!) – and be sure to share your new companion with us and leave me a note at Wordless Wednesday when your new companion arrives! 🙂
This is right up my alley. My last foster dog Walter was with us for quite a few months before he passed. He was a Dane Mastiff mix. He was 5 and heartworm positive. But, he was the best darn dog out there. And no one wanted to take a chance on him. We opened our home to him and love him till his very last day. If only we had had more time though!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
It is so heartbreaking that big dogs – who have big hearts to match – often have shorter lifespans. I am unable to have a dog in my current living situation but I dream of them and several of the breeds I dream of are in that “7 year” range which I just can’t imagine.
At the same time, it makes you appreciate each and every moment you spend with them and it makes you truly want to give them the best life possible.
Thanks for joining us in this very special giveaway Kim. Best of luck to you! 🙂
I hope with all our education and outreach people are becoming more aware of the responsibilities and challenges of raising a puppy. They will melt your heart and there is something so attractive about those little faces, but the challenges often get overlooked.
I would also encourage shelters and rescues to think in human kind the same way. Older dogs match well with senior owners as well. I had friends who got turned down who turned to a breeder. The feeling was the prospective pet parents were too old. Perhaps if you were looking at the long term care and needs of a puppy this might have been a fair assesment. However, an older dog with a shorter life span might be the perfect dog to keep and older person or in this case persons out, moving, and healthy. As long as the prospective owners have the resources and ability to care for the dog an emergency plan can be discussed should something happen to the owners that requires the dog to need rehoming. There are creative solutions.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Bailey for your thoughtful response! There are several amazing stories in My Old Dog about seniors who adopted senior dogs, so it’s sad to hear that rescues have discriminated against senior owners in the adoption process. It appears that education is needed on both sides as your comment so eloquently states.
Have a wonderful week and best of luck to you! 🙂
We just lost our old dog. She was 4 days shy of her 13th birthday. We are so sad.
Have a terrific day. ☺
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I”m so sorry for your loss.
I hope that when the time is right you will find a new dog to love!
I’m so into senior dogs right now – you see Harley will be 7 yrs old next week! I would love to read this book. Sounds fascinating. Thanks for tell us about it.
What a wonderful book! I’d love to win, of course, but if I don’t, I’ll have to run out and buy it!
They’re so cute…I love Rocky! Thanks so much for sharing at Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Twitter: Myllls
says:
This looks like a fun book for dog lovers!!!
Good luck to all entrants
Awww, this book sounds so sweet! I adored raising our dog from puppyhood but I would definitely consider an older dog in the future… older pups need love tooooo!
Twitter: MaryHill16
says:
This book is so cute. I love shelter dogs and this book reinforces the need to support our local shelters. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays.
Twitter: DashKitten
says:
The books sounds so lovely!