Audiobook7 hours
Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs
Written by Cara Sue Achterberg
Narrated by Xe Sands
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
When Cara felt her teenaged children slipping away and saw an empty nest on the horizon, she decided the best way to fill that void was with dogs-lots of them-and so her foster journey began.
In 2015, her Pennsylvania farm became a haven for Operation Paws for Homes. There were the nine puppies at once, which arrived with less than a day's notice; a heart-worm positive dog; a deeply traumatized stray pup from Iraq; and countless others who just needed a gentle touch and a warm place to sleep. Operation Paws for Homes rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the rural south and shuttles them north to foster homes like Cara's on the way to their forever homes.
What started as a search for a good dog, led to an epiphany that there wasn't just one that could fill the hole left in her heart from her children gaining independence-she could save dozens along the way. The stories of these remarkable dogs-including an eighty-pound bloodhound who sang arias for the neighbors-and the joy they bring to Cara and her family (along with a few chewed sofa cushions) fill the pages of this touching and inspiring new book that reveals the wonderful rewards of fostering.
When asked how she can possibly say goodbye to that many loveable pups, Cara says, "If I don't give this one away, I can't possibly save another."
In 2015, her Pennsylvania farm became a haven for Operation Paws for Homes. There were the nine puppies at once, which arrived with less than a day's notice; a heart-worm positive dog; a deeply traumatized stray pup from Iraq; and countless others who just needed a gentle touch and a warm place to sleep. Operation Paws for Homes rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the rural south and shuttles them north to foster homes like Cara's on the way to their forever homes.
What started as a search for a good dog, led to an epiphany that there wasn't just one that could fill the hole left in her heart from her children gaining independence-she could save dozens along the way. The stories of these remarkable dogs-including an eighty-pound bloodhound who sang arias for the neighbors-and the joy they bring to Cara and her family (along with a few chewed sofa cushions) fill the pages of this touching and inspiring new book that reveals the wonderful rewards of fostering.
When asked how she can possibly say goodbye to that many loveable pups, Cara says, "If I don't give this one away, I can't possibly save another."
Author
Cara Sue Achterberg
Cara Sue Achterberg is the author of several books, including I'm Not Her and Girls Weekend, which were national bestsellers. She lives in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
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Reviews for Another Good Dog
Rating: 4.4375 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
16 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After suffering the loss of a beloved family dog, Cara Achterberg isn't sure if she wants another one. The pain of loss was just too great. Ultimately, she decides that fostering dogs might be a good, low-commitment way to try out some new family members. Once they find the perfect dog, they will adopt and in the mean time, they'll be saving dogs from an untimely death. Win-win, right?This book chronicles the author's emotional journey through the first couple years of fostering. At first it's therapy, then it's a hobby, eventually it becomes a passionate calling. Of course she wants to have her own special dog, but there are just so many that need help and the sacrifice of fostering has it's own rewards. Come along with this family as they embark on an amazing adventure together.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am a dog lover deluxe! I never met a dog I didn’t like or didn’t want to pet. Therefore, any true story about these furry angels has my attention. Not all are well written and some don’t really focus on the animals. Ms. Achterberg does a fantastic job with both. The author not only shares her experiences rescuing and fostering dogs but also shares her heart. I laughed, I cried and I stood in awe at her perseverance, dedication, sacrifice and deep love for these animals. It wasn’t their fault they ended up without a home but that of irresponsible humans. I was touched my how she accepted each one for who they were and was able to see past problems some of them had due to their experiences. She works so hard not only finding them a new home but overcoming obstacles they face. Every animal, be it a dog or any species deserves a second chance. Thankfully there are people like the author who will work so hard to give them one. This audio book made the miles of driving go faster as I enjoyed every minute of this book. I couldn’t wait to get back in the car and go somewhere to hear the rest! I felt a very personal connection with each animal and wish I could pet and snuggle each one. A touching story.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cara Sue Achterberg is a fiction writer who chose to write a memoir about dog fostering. Cara got into this after her beloved 4-legged running companion, Lucy, passes away. (They still have another dog of their own, Gracie.) What started out as a way to help save dogs on the way to finding the "perfect" dog for their family, grew into a mission to help as many dogs as she could.Cara hooked up with OPH, a rescue that takes dogs from Southern shelters where they'd probably be euthanized and transports them North to foster families willing to take them in. In the meantime, OPH adoption coordinators try to help find the "forever families" for these dogs. Cara shares many stories which cover the first 50 or so dogs that her family took in as fosters. She talks candidly about the pros and cons of being a canine foster. Note: I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story of the author and her family's adventures and experiences in dog rescue and fostering. In my humble opinion this woman is a hero. She has of this date fostered over 100 dogs that would have otherwise been euthanized because they were considered unadoptable. They are all now in their forever homes because of her strength and compassion. She also speaks of her family and how they cope with three growing teenagers and the trials and tribulations of so may kids with so many activities - and of course so many dogs. I am a huge dog lover. My husband and I raise service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. We are also breeder caretakers for our service breeder dog Puzzle who has had four litters so far. (One more to go) I know first hand how much work is involved with raising a litter of puppies and to hear how the author goes for it over an over again is truly heroic. I loved everything about this audio book. It is well written, touching, funny and honest. Now go foster a dog! Very highly recommended.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I received this audio-book through the LibraryThing early review give-away.This is a sweet story of one woman's compassion and determination to save as many dogs as she could through fostering them. It's is a well written story that even brought tear to my eyes at times.My only dis-like was the narrator's tone of voice.It was as if she were trying too hard to add lilt/determination/etc, in her narration. Instead of coming across as caring and sensitive, which I feel the author was, she came across as nonchalant and offhanded.