Quotes for Dogs Who Found Me"Generosity and gratitude power this compelling account of thereciprocal nature of rescue. Ken Foster illuminates a profound lessonabout saving a life: Doing it makes you able to do it."-Amy Hempel, author of The Dog of the Marriage and Reasons to Live"I read this at once, and could hardly bear to put it down. This is awonderful, strange book, beautiful and funny and moving. It deliverssomething crucial about bravery, the human spirit, and the place thatdogs occupy in our landscapes. It's about confronting need,vulnerability and love, and responding."—Roxana Robinson"Ken Foster writes about the human/canine bond with wisdom, insight, andgreat heart. This is a fascinating and useful book, full of greatstories and practical knowledge every dog lover needs. Ken's dogs arelucky to have found him, and so are his readers."—Sean Wilsey, author of Oh The Glory of it All"Foster's dogs are memorable, delightful characters, with vivid,poignant stories. THE DOGS WHO FOUND ME is a testament to the joys dogsbring, and to the beauty in the work of saving them."—Rene Steinke, National Book Award finalist for Holy Skirts"If you love dogs as much as Ken Foster, you will probably recognizeyourself in much of The Dogs Who Found Me. You will remember your heartstopping or being shredded... only to be repaired with an even greatercapacity to love."—Terry Bain, author of You Are A Dog"Pitbulls pitbulls pitbulls, and a man, like me, who loves them.Alternately brutal and sentimental, like the lives of the dogs herescues. A very very cool book." —James Frey, author of A MillionLittle Pieces and My Friend Leonard"This book isn't about Foster as much as it's about his dogs, who helphim through 9/11, a heart condition that lands him in the hospital andthe deaths of two good friends...Interspersing vignettes on topics suchas missing dog posters, shelters, heartworms and understanding dogs'body language, Foster fleshes out this charming account of a life amongdogs while providing hints for would-be dog savers."—Publisher's WeeklyReview; "The book's conversational, straightforward prose is one of itsstrengths. And Foster's powers of observation and eye for meaningfuldetail elevate what he has to say above the level of the averagememoir."—www.numag.neu.edu(Northeastern University Magazine)"...an absorbing and quirky memoir...Foster's style is blunt, funny andpoignant. He smoothly melds the events of his turbulent life along withthe gritty details of rescuing abandoned dogs into a piece that goes tothe heart."— San Francisco Chronicle"...[a] beautiful and funny account of dog love...This light, deeplyfelt chronicle puts that best-selling confection 'Marley & Me' in theshade."— Plain Dealer "Foster's book might sound dangerously warm and fuzzy, but it maintains an edge of wisdom and self-awareness...Foster has led an untidy life, and he's lucky his pets have taught him the value of letting things get messy."— Sarah Goodyear, Time Out New York (review)"... (a) warm, candid, and unusual account..." —Booklist"There are people who like dogs, there are dog lovers, and then there are dog people. The Dog's Who Found Me is a book about dog people."—The Oregonian (review)"The book is far from overwhelming or overly ambitious; it succeeds as what it is: a plainspoken, sincere account of one man's direct experience with the mutual condition of rescue."—Bark magazine (review)"This book is for everyone—not just dog lovers. Foster recounts his doggie and human adventures in a readable, humorous, touching style. The reader can feel his empathy, concern and humanity as he tells of his rescues, his requited love of the dogs he finds, and the wonderful things they have taught him."—Best Friends Magazine (review)"...touching collection of essays and insights..."—Mississippi Magazine (review)
Following a 2006 interview on NPR to promote his book The Dogs Who Found Me: What I Learned from Pets Who Were Left Behind, Foster received a flood of letters from people who had also rescued dogs, many of them pit bulls or mixed breeds and many with medical or psychological issues. These letters form the basis of this book and give Foster the opportunity to comment on the multifaceted aspects of the human-animal bond, particularly on how allowing a rescue dog into one's life can change it. Among the stories Foster relates is that of pit bull Trap, whose adoption forced his owner to move to a dog-friendly apartment, escaping the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He retells the story of shepherd mix Max, the hemophiliac adopted hours before euthanasia, who works as a therapy dog and touches the lives of many people similarly afflicted. With well-told, moving stories, this is a good choice for public libraries.
—Florence Scarinci
