From Marley and Me to Cesar's Way, millions of dog owners eagerly seek out great dog stories that yield keen behavioural insights, and one of their favourite new sources is DogTown, the National Geographic Channel's latest hit show. Now, DogTown's most moving stories and challenging cases are collected in this book to evoke both the joy and the occasional, but inevitable, heartbreak that accompanies the important work of saving homeless dogs. Focusing both on the relationships between dogs and people and on the latest discoveries in animal health and behavior, the book features 12 of DogTown's most memorable cases. Each chapter follows one dog--often considered unadoptable by other shelters - from the first days at DogTown, through assessment and treatment, to the whether the dog finds a forever home outside the shelter. Photographs of each dog trace its entire journey at DogTown and chart its progress from beginning to end. DogTown's veterinarians, trainers, and experts who are featured on the show contribute essays on their most meaningful moments in working with animals. Interwoven in each story is the science behind the therapy.
We learn how dogs process information, how trauma can affect them, and what can be done to help them. We see how DogTown's veterinarians investigate illness and the great lengths to which they will go to heal the injured and sick. We see the strong bonds and relationships that form between dog and caregiver, and how that bond can help each one to grow and thrive. In the end, we come to see that with patience, care, and compassion, people can help dogs to heal. The dogs themselves come from many backgrounds: Some are high-profile cases, like the Vicktory Dogs, fighting dogs rescued from the property of former NFL-quarterback Michael Vick. Some rescues come from as far away as Ethiopia and Lebanon, while others have been rescued from hoarders and puppy mills in the United States. Many suffer from mysterious illnesses, serious injuries, or antisocial behaviours that discourage potential adoptions. But good fortune led them to Best Friends and the dedicated people there devoted to helping them recover, live better lives, and find welcoming homes.
