I don't remember how I came across this book -- but I like dogs and I'm interested in foster care programs so I picked it up to read a little bit and then move on to another title in my ever growing stack of books. But that's not what happened...I couldn't put it down. I like the author's writing style and voice and you can tell she really cares about these dogs....and has a serious puppy addiction. I also like how she presents each foster dog with its own personality and own problems and traumas, however, unlike humans they can't tell you about them....(or maybe exactly like humans, because humans who have gone through trauma don't usually want to talk about it either). I was impressed with the OPH (Operation Paws for Homes) that Cara worked with...they were very organized and followed careful rules and guidelines to protect the dogs, the foster homes, and the adoption homes. I was also impressed with Cara's husband who although didn't understand her dog obsession, he did understand her need to do it and gave her the support needed for her to foster fifty dogs (at this publishing....I think I saw a sequel that brought the total to 100 amazing rescues.) The book also has personal memories scattered through of her family and children and how everyone interacted with the dogs/puppies or how the situation of the dogs reminded her so much of being a parent. Great read, especially for those who like animals/dogs. NOTE: Some of the dogs situations are mention, but I don't remember them being very detailed or graphic. I do remember that was a lot of drinking in the book. ( )

I 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. ( )

Definitely a story for dog lovers! The audiobook was the perfect length for a 600-mile trip--but I'm still getting used to audiobooks, and the story might be better in shorter doses than all at once. (Why? Simply because parts of the arc of the storyline feel a bit repetitive. And also because it's impossible to see the architecture of a book by, say, looking at the table of contents: so at any point in time, the listener doesn't really know how far into the story he or she is. That's simply a shortcoming of the mode, not the story in question. (Indeed, I'd love an audiobook with an explanatory preface that describes how the book is organized. In other words, I'd have appreciated knowing that this book has twenty-four chapters, an epilogue, and a couple additional sections in the back matter. Then, for example, when the narrator, Xe Sands, announced "Chapter Twelve," I'd have known we were nearing the halfway point.) The narration is brilliant; and Achterberg makes a fitting comparison between fostering animals and rearing children (who will eventually leave to live lives of their own). It's certainly good PR for the fostering of animals; Achterberg doesn't bury or sugar-coat her views. (That she was motivated to write this book is evidence enough of how much she cares about the lives of animals.) Thanks to the LibraryThing Early Reviewers promotion for providing my copy.

Cara 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. ( )

I 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 many kids with so many activities - and of course so many dogs. I am a huge dog lover. My husband and I are volunteer puppy raisers that 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. ( )