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Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure
David Rosenfelt's "Dogtripping" is moving and funny account of a cross-country move from California to Maine, and the beginnings of a dog rescue foundation
When mystery writer David Rosenfelt and his family moved from Southern California to Maine, he thought he had prepared for everything. They had mapped the route, brought three GPSs for backup, as well as refrigerators full of food, and stoves and microwaves on which to cook them. But traveling with twenty-five dogs turned out to be a bigger ordeal than he anticipated, despite the RVs, the extra kibble, volunteers (including a few readers), and camping equipment. Rosenfelt recounts the adventure of moving his animal companions across the United States with humor and warmth, and tells the tale of how he and his wife became passionate foster parents for rescue dogs, culminating in the creation of the Tara Foundation and successfully placing several thousand dogs with loving families.
When mystery writer David Rosenfelt and his family moved from Southern California to Maine, he thought he had prepared for everything. They had mapped the route, brought three GPSs for backup, as well as refrigerators full of food, and stoves and microwaves on which to cook them. But traveling with twenty-five dogs turned out to be a bigger ordeal than he anticipated, despite the RVs, the extra kibble, volunteers (including a few readers), and camping equipment. Rosenfelt recounts the adventure of moving his animal companions across the United States with humor and warmth, and tells the tale of how he and his wife became passionate foster parents for rescue dogs, culminating in the creation of the Tara Foundation and successfully placing several thousand dogs with loving families.
278 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2013
302 people are currently reading
3671 people want to read
About the author
David Rosenfelt
74 books2,895 followersI am a novelist with 27 dogs.
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
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December 13, 2018
This month, with only two books remaining in the Andy Carpenter series, I decided to read this book by the same author instead. It is their travelogue involving the transport of the 25 rescue dogs that David Rosenfelt and his wife Debbie had in their Southern California home to their new home in Maine. They rented 3 RV’s and serendipitously found 11 volunteers to accompany them on this journey across the country.
Told with his trademark quirky humour spiced with plenty of the self-deprecating variety, this story is perfect for the holiday season. Isn’t that what many people do?
Parents: “What are you going to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas?”
Child: “A puppy! I want a puppy for Christmas!”
And then, in some households there is the kind of end story that David Rosenfelt described in this book. A year later, the puppy is no longer little, cute, and squishy. It is now pretty much full grown and not as cute as it used to be. Dad takes his two young boys and the dog to a shelter and says they want to drop off the dog and pick up another puppy.
Shelters in the Southern California area are so crowded that voluntary drop-offs are usually euthanized if they can’t be placed quickly. If it is a stray or a dog dropped off by someone who found the dog, there is a 5-day period of “grace” to find the owner before trying to find an adoption home and, if unsuccessful, this ex-pet is also euthanized.
The story of how David and Debbie came to set up their own rescue foundation is one that went straight to my heart. The majority of the dogs that David and Debbie take in are rejected “seniors”, and many of them have health problems. It is their mission to give these dogs a joyful, safe, and love-filled life for whatever time they have left.
The story of their cross-country trip with their 25 dogs is fun, funny, and has a few intense moments, too. According to David, he was the only wet blanket on the trip but I’m fairly certain he enjoyed himself and the trip a lot more than he let on, despite all the anxieties over logistics.
One of the highlights of this book for me was reading the stories of the dogs they took on the trip – what is known of their previous lives, how the dogs came to their attention (and their home), and what their personalities are like. I loved their stories and they were included as little vignettes between the adventure tale of their cross-country move. Reading the individual stories of these now-beloved pets brought tears to my eyes every time.
A lovely and love-motivated novel, one told in a style that is unmistakably David Rosenfelt’s, this was a super enjoyable and satisfying read for me.
Told with his trademark quirky humour spiced with plenty of the self-deprecating variety, this story is perfect for the holiday season. Isn’t that what many people do?
Parents: “What are you going to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas?”
Child: “A puppy! I want a puppy for Christmas!”
And then, in some households there is the kind of end story that David Rosenfelt described in this book. A year later, the puppy is no longer little, cute, and squishy. It is now pretty much full grown and not as cute as it used to be. Dad takes his two young boys and the dog to a shelter and says they want to drop off the dog and pick up another puppy.
Shelters in the Southern California area are so crowded that voluntary drop-offs are usually euthanized if they can’t be placed quickly. If it is a stray or a dog dropped off by someone who found the dog, there is a 5-day period of “grace” to find the owner before trying to find an adoption home and, if unsuccessful, this ex-pet is also euthanized.
The story of how David and Debbie came to set up their own rescue foundation is one that went straight to my heart. The majority of the dogs that David and Debbie take in are rejected “seniors”, and many of them have health problems. It is their mission to give these dogs a joyful, safe, and love-filled life for whatever time they have left.
The story of their cross-country trip with their 25 dogs is fun, funny, and has a few intense moments, too. According to David, he was the only wet blanket on the trip but I’m fairly certain he enjoyed himself and the trip a lot more than he let on, despite all the anxieties over logistics.
One of the highlights of this book for me was reading the stories of the dogs they took on the trip – what is known of their previous lives, how the dogs came to their attention (and their home), and what their personalities are like. I loved their stories and they were included as little vignettes between the adventure tale of their cross-country move. Reading the individual stories of these now-beloved pets brought tears to my eyes every time.
A lovely and love-motivated novel, one told in a style that is unmistakably David Rosenfelt’s, this was a super enjoyable and satisfying read for me.
March 13, 2023
David Rosenfelt is a prolific author who also created a pet rescue foundation with his wife; it is called the Tara Foundation after their dog, Tara. Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure describes Rosenfelt and his wife's cross-country move from Southern California to Maine with their 25 dogs, 11 volunteers and three RVs.
What an adventure! The story is told with humor, self-deprecation, and heartfelt love for dogs. Rosenfelt shares stories on how many of their rescue dogs came to live with them.
Highly recommend!
What an adventure! The story is told with humor, self-deprecation, and heartfelt love for dogs. Rosenfelt shares stories on how many of their rescue dogs came to live with them.
Highly recommend!
March 29, 2016
So at that point I was just trying to gauge how hotels react to our request. I decided to be honest, not because that's my natural instinct or because I thought there was any kind of moral imperative in play here.
Rather, my fear was that if I lied, we'd show up at a hotel and of course be unable to sneak the dogs in undetected, and we'd get turned away. And the only way we wouldn't be detected was if the proprietor was in a coma. A very deep, kept-alive-by-machines coma.
My feelings about this book are mixed.
The gist is simple: a man and his wife own 25 dogs. They are moving from CA to ME and they can't afford to put the 25 dogs on a plane, so they rent some RVs and drive them across the country.
The dogs are dogs the couple adopted. They are not being moved to a rescue, or being placed in new homes, the couple OWNS 25 dogs. They mainly find these dogs at shelters. Rosenfelt has really no innate love of dogs, but when he met his wife, she was a dog-crazy person, and he goes along with it. They have owned up to 42 dogs at one time. A shelter will call them because a dog is going to be put down, the wife will of course have to save it, and she will return with the dog in question plus four more dogs. You can see how they ended up with so many.
Debbie used to just have one dog, a dog she loved and worshiped - a Golden Retriever named Tara. However, when Tara died (1 year and 3 months after David and Debbie get together), she made it her mission to save Golden Retrievers (but ends up not limiting herself to the breed). She vows never to leave one in a shelter. She is a feisty person who literally marches up to a man leading a dog to the needle and demand to adopt it immediately. I admire her desire to help and save dogs.
The author has a great sense of humor, mainly stemming from self-deprecating humor. Rosenfelt is a coward, lazy, and not a "real" man. This is how he describes himself, and where his humor mostly stems from. When he's funny, it's great. He made me laugh out loud 9 times. I counted. And that was wonderful! I don't laugh at books so easy - or perhaps I just don't read funny books very often. But I enjoyed laughing so much.
But the places between the laughter are pretty boring. It's like Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul or something. I love dogs! But reading 278 pages of dog shit, dog vomit, the dog escaped, the dog killed a small animal, we rescued this dog from a hoarder, we saved this dog from being put down, we helped this stray... My dog-loving attention span is engaged primarily when there is an actual dog in the room with me. I can pet it, talk to it, take it on a walk, etc. However, just because I love dogs doesn't mean I want to hear about them non-stop for five hours. You know what I mean?
Also, I can't help but being a little... concerned. Owning 25-42 dogs? Are you saving the dogs from hoarders or are you hoarding yourself? Rosenfelt actually addresses this:
I sometimes think that we might be considered hoarders, though I suppose a major distinction is that hoarded animals are not well cared for or loved; they are simply kept.
Okay, roger that. But his wife cannot go to a shelter without bringing home 2-4 new dogs. Isn't that indicative of something? Luckily, she seems to go for senior dogs or dogs with severe health problems who are unlikely to be adopted. So their 'turnover rate' is relatively high.
I would have thought they have no children, because no children are ever mentioned in this book. However, Rosenfelt's site says he has two (I think from his previous marriage before he met dog-loving Debbie). 4 - 6 dogs sleep with them every single night in their bed. Is there ever any opportunity for intimacy? What about work? Well, both Rosenfelt and his wife work. But Rosenfelt is an author of a murder mystery series and conveniently works from home.
Almost all the dogs on pills, sometimes multiple pills. The pills need to be administered daily, or twice daily. Feeding takes 45 minutes, twice a day. The couple never ever sits down to eat at the table, but only eats standing up in the kitchen, because the dogs beg and Debbie feeds them from the table. The dogs are their life, basically.
I really, really think Rosenfelt and his wife are doing good work. Saving dogs from euthanasia and hoarding situations is very noble. They obviously take great care of the dogs and love them to bits. But the book was a bit too much for me - I just am not obsessed enough with dogs to enjoy reading stuff like this. Perhaps a short story or an article once in a while, but not a whole book.
P.S. I like that pictures are included in the book.
P.P.S. Because I read this book, I am going to check out Rosenfelt's fiction and see how it is.
Rather, my fear was that if I lied, we'd show up at a hotel and of course be unable to sneak the dogs in undetected, and we'd get turned away. And the only way we wouldn't be detected was if the proprietor was in a coma. A very deep, kept-alive-by-machines coma.
My feelings about this book are mixed.
The gist is simple: a man and his wife own 25 dogs. They are moving from CA to ME and they can't afford to put the 25 dogs on a plane, so they rent some RVs and drive them across the country.
The dogs are dogs the couple adopted. They are not being moved to a rescue, or being placed in new homes, the couple OWNS 25 dogs. They mainly find these dogs at shelters. Rosenfelt has really no innate love of dogs, but when he met his wife, she was a dog-crazy person, and he goes along with it. They have owned up to 42 dogs at one time. A shelter will call them because a dog is going to be put down, the wife will of course have to save it, and she will return with the dog in question plus four more dogs. You can see how they ended up with so many.
Debbie used to just have one dog, a dog she loved and worshiped - a Golden Retriever named Tara. However, when Tara died (1 year and 3 months after David and Debbie get together), she made it her mission to save Golden Retrievers (but ends up not limiting herself to the breed). She vows never to leave one in a shelter. She is a feisty person who literally marches up to a man leading a dog to the needle and demand to adopt it immediately. I admire her desire to help and save dogs.
The author has a great sense of humor, mainly stemming from self-deprecating humor. Rosenfelt is a coward, lazy, and not a "real" man. This is how he describes himself, and where his humor mostly stems from. When he's funny, it's great. He made me laugh out loud 9 times. I counted. And that was wonderful! I don't laugh at books so easy - or perhaps I just don't read funny books very often. But I enjoyed laughing so much.
But the places between the laughter are pretty boring. It's like Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul or something. I love dogs! But reading 278 pages of dog shit, dog vomit, the dog escaped, the dog killed a small animal, we rescued this dog from a hoarder, we saved this dog from being put down, we helped this stray... My dog-loving attention span is engaged primarily when there is an actual dog in the room with me. I can pet it, talk to it, take it on a walk, etc. However, just because I love dogs doesn't mean I want to hear about them non-stop for five hours. You know what I mean?
Also, I can't help but being a little... concerned. Owning 25-42 dogs? Are you saving the dogs from hoarders or are you hoarding yourself? Rosenfelt actually addresses this:
I sometimes think that we might be considered hoarders, though I suppose a major distinction is that hoarded animals are not well cared for or loved; they are simply kept.
Okay, roger that. But his wife cannot go to a shelter without bringing home 2-4 new dogs. Isn't that indicative of something? Luckily, she seems to go for senior dogs or dogs with severe health problems who are unlikely to be adopted. So their 'turnover rate' is relatively high.
I would have thought they have no children, because no children are ever mentioned in this book. However, Rosenfelt's site says he has two (I think from his previous marriage before he met dog-loving Debbie). 4 - 6 dogs sleep with them every single night in their bed. Is there ever any opportunity for intimacy? What about work? Well, both Rosenfelt and his wife work. But Rosenfelt is an author of a murder mystery series and conveniently works from home.
Almost all the dogs on pills, sometimes multiple pills. The pills need to be administered daily, or twice daily. Feeding takes 45 minutes, twice a day. The couple never ever sits down to eat at the table, but only eats standing up in the kitchen, because the dogs beg and Debbie feeds them from the table. The dogs are their life, basically.
I really, really think Rosenfelt and his wife are doing good work. Saving dogs from euthanasia and hoarding situations is very noble. They obviously take great care of the dogs and love them to bits. But the book was a bit too much for me - I just am not obsessed enough with dogs to enjoy reading stuff like this. Perhaps a short story or an article once in a while, but not a whole book.
P.S. I like that pictures are included in the book.
P.P.S. Because I read this book, I am going to check out Rosenfelt's fiction and see how it is.
August 17, 2013
I just fell in love with 25 dogs (and I actually prefer cats) and David Rosenfelt.
Rosenfelt, movie and TV writer and a successful author of mysteries and thrillers (patrons love his Andy Carpenter series), married Debbie Myers in the 1990s and together they started the Tara Foundation, named after their beloved golden retriever. They set out to rescue over 4000 dogs, accumulating 25 (and at times more) along the way. In 2011 they decided to move from Los Angeles to Maine and a logistical nightmare ensued. This book covers not only the organization of the trip across the US and the journey with 25 dogs (how exactly do you get 25 dogs out for a potty-break,and more importantly, who wields the scooper?), but also the stories of various rescued dogs that were with them on the journey. The trip became known as "Woofabago" (google Woofabago and Facebook for photos).
This book was charming but I have to admit it was sometimes difficult to read as I seemed to have tears of either laughter at Rosenfelt's Dave Barry-ish humor, or emotion while reading the backstories of the dogs' rescues, brimming in my eyes. And what I liked best about David and his wife was their preference for rescuing large older dogs, even those that only had a few months to live [sniff].
David Rosenfelt has become one of my favorite people on this planet and he is my hero.
This book would make a wonderful gift for any animal lover.
Rosenfelt, movie and TV writer and a successful author of mysteries and thrillers (patrons love his Andy Carpenter series), married Debbie Myers in the 1990s and together they started the Tara Foundation, named after their beloved golden retriever. They set out to rescue over 4000 dogs, accumulating 25 (and at times more) along the way. In 2011 they decided to move from Los Angeles to Maine and a logistical nightmare ensued. This book covers not only the organization of the trip across the US and the journey with 25 dogs (how exactly do you get 25 dogs out for a potty-break,and more importantly, who wields the scooper?), but also the stories of various rescued dogs that were with them on the journey. The trip became known as "Woofabago" (google Woofabago and Facebook for photos).
This book was charming but I have to admit it was sometimes difficult to read as I seemed to have tears of either laughter at Rosenfelt's Dave Barry-ish humor, or emotion while reading the backstories of the dogs' rescues, brimming in my eyes. And what I liked best about David and his wife was their preference for rescuing large older dogs, even those that only had a few months to live [sniff].
David Rosenfelt has become one of my favorite people on this planet and he is my hero.
This book would make a wonderful gift for any animal lover.
June 15, 2016
This is a wee bit gif heavy. I apologize but my brain is too tired to put words on the page and it's dogs and I love dogs, especially goldens. They are such smart, sweet, happy go-lucky creatures.
But author David Rosenfelt and his wife might have developed a little dog obsession. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Especially when you’re as kind hearted and generous as the Rosenfelt’s. When David’s wife retired, instead of sipping martinis by the pool or spending their time golfing or some other cliché retirement thing, they took up rescuing old and unwanted golden retrievers and a few other mixed breeds that had fallen on hard times. Many husbands fear their wives walking into a mall and blowing the budget, this guy feared his wife’s visits to the shelter. She could never leave without bringing a few more home.
One day they woke up and a few dogs had turned into, well, a whole heck of a lot of dogs (I think it was 50+ at one point!). But they wouldn’t have it any other way. These people are devoted and I enjoyed reading every moment of their story. This is some of their pack.
Be warned. If you read this you can’t ever unread it. If you someday end up spending all of your retirement savings on doggie food and vet bills and water for hosing off your poopy shoes, you’ll have to get in line behind me.
When the couple decides to relocate from California to Maine, they soon realize that it’s not going to be as simple as loading up one vehicle and taking a road trip. Flying was out of the question. At this time they have twenty-five mostly elderly dogs that spend their time sleeping, barking, eating and pooping. Twenty-five! Can you imagine? They end up renting three RV’s and are fortunate to have a crew of crazy adventurous people volunteer to take the trip with them. Yes, these people actually VOLUNTEERED. There really are people out there in the world like this and they give me hope.
Their story is full of the ups and downs of a life filled with dogs. Interspersed within the telling of the epic cross-country trip to Maine, Rosenfeld tells the stories of many of the dogs that have been a part of their lives and, of course, there are moments . . .
But Rosenfeld has a way with the words and a great wry sense of humor that never allows one to wallow in the grief for very long. I was sad when it ended because it ended. I think I could’ve listened to this book forever.
Very highly recommend. Especially if you’re having one of those days when you fear for humanity.
November 26, 2025
4, maybe even 4.5 stars, simply because he got through to my fellow animal loving self.
The work the author and his wife do for shelter dogs is a dream for most of us, but they just have the financial freedom to do it. I loved hearing all the different rescue stories.
The work the author and his wife do for shelter dogs is a dream for most of us, but they just have the financial freedom to do it. I loved hearing all the different rescue stories.
September 30, 2024
Those of you who love David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter mystery adventures, which always involve dogs – and dog rescues – will now have an opportunity to learn more about the real man and the real dogs behind the stories.
This is truly...An amorous journey of wit and love and dog obsession.
It’s heartwarming, and sad, and funny – and annoying (because sometimes his jokes are silly).
Still...If you love dogs and are curious about what it would take to move 25 of them from California to Maine, you might find this an incredibly interesting adventure!
This is truly...An amorous journey of wit and love and dog obsession.
It’s heartwarming, and sad, and funny – and annoying (because sometimes his jokes are silly).
Still...If you love dogs and are curious about what it would take to move 25 of them from California to Maine, you might find this an incredibly interesting adventure!
May 19, 2022
Rosenfelt released this book first, and then wrote 'Lessons from Tara' second, but I read 'Lessons' first and then Dogtripping. I loved both books and put them in my category of favorites and would recommend both. Both books cover the same ground and often the same stories though. If you love the stories and info like I did, then just more to love.
In my opinion people who rescue dogs are saints, so those like the Rosenfelts that rescue hundreds even more so. The fact that they rescue older dogs, and dogs that some feel are not worth putting in the vet bills to help, pile the honor on them even higher. Then to pile it on more, just think of how much of their time goes to caring for all those dogs (20-40 living with them at a time), feeding them, cleaning up after them, giving them their meds, petting/playing with them, and taking them to the vet including being there to pet them when they take their final breaths on earth knowing someone is near who loves them.
I love hearing about the dogs, their story how they were acquired, their quirks and personalities. I remember a quote that each person has a whole different world in their head, and it is the same way with dogs. Each is different but virtually all have the traits we love in a dog. Dogs just love to be with humans.
The interspaced chapters on the preparation and execution of the trip were interesting but not as riveting to me as the other chapters, but still a good story.
I like Mr. Rosenfelt's humor and in both books found myself laughing out loud. It is similar humor he uses in his mystery books. I have seen some reviews who don't appreciate his humor as much. Oh well, people like different things.
Anyway, both great books. I would be interested in hearing which of the two books they prefer more. I know which one you read first will influence your thinking. For me it was the other one, but loved this one too, and it has pictures :-)
In my opinion people who rescue dogs are saints, so those like the Rosenfelts that rescue hundreds even more so. The fact that they rescue older dogs, and dogs that some feel are not worth putting in the vet bills to help, pile the honor on them even higher. Then to pile it on more, just think of how much of their time goes to caring for all those dogs (20-40 living with them at a time), feeding them, cleaning up after them, giving them their meds, petting/playing with them, and taking them to the vet including being there to pet them when they take their final breaths on earth knowing someone is near who loves them.
I love hearing about the dogs, their story how they were acquired, their quirks and personalities. I remember a quote that each person has a whole different world in their head, and it is the same way with dogs. Each is different but virtually all have the traits we love in a dog. Dogs just love to be with humans.
The interspaced chapters on the preparation and execution of the trip were interesting but not as riveting to me as the other chapters, but still a good story.
I like Mr. Rosenfelt's humor and in both books found myself laughing out loud. It is similar humor he uses in his mystery books. I have seen some reviews who don't appreciate his humor as much. Oh well, people like different things.
Anyway, both great books. I would be interested in hearing which of the two books they prefer more. I know which one you read first will influence your thinking. For me it was the other one, but loved this one too, and it has pictures :-)
October 31, 2013
I absolutely loved this book! I like his mystery stand alone books and the Andy Carpenter series, and this was a pleasant treat to learn more about the author. I had no idea he was so into dog rescue and the focus of this book is the dogs. What is not to like about a guy who has one word for those who mistreat animals: "assholes." Unlike the author, I was sorry to see the trip end as I wanted to read more! His humor, love of dogs, and personality really comes through in this book and I was thoroughly entertained. If I had known about the trip back then, I also would have volunteered to go along for the ride!
March 28, 2013
An amorous journey of wit and "poop" known as "Dogtripping."
January 26, 2014
Working through NPR's Best Books of 2013.
-The entire chapters in italics are horrible.
-That most chapters are only 2 pages long is horrible. He needed ONE chapter titled DOGS and then tell all the "how we got this dog" stories. Except it's all the same story and he repeats it over and over and over again, "We got a call from Shelter, there's an unwanted dog there, so we picked it up, took it to the vet, and it lived its life out here."
-He repeats himself over and over again like each chapter is its own separate book. Yup, we know you are an author. You told us that in the Intro, then in chapter 3, and chapter 5 etc.
-He's whiny like Dave Barry.
-Nothing actually happens on the dog trip.
-The entire chapters in italics are horrible.
-That most chapters are only 2 pages long is horrible. He needed ONE chapter titled DOGS and then tell all the "how we got this dog" stories. Except it's all the same story and he repeats it over and over and over again, "We got a call from Shelter, there's an unwanted dog there, so we picked it up, took it to the vet, and it lived its life out here."
-He repeats himself over and over again like each chapter is its own separate book. Yup, we know you are an author. You told us that in the Intro, then in chapter 3, and chapter 5 etc.
-He's whiny like Dave Barry.
-Nothing actually happens on the dog trip.
October 13, 2019
All I can say about this book is, if I had known about this trip before it had happened they would have had one more "real man" along, me! I can drive a motor home and know how to operate the relevant systems. I can think of nothing more exciting than to be responsible for the care and well-being of 25 dogs for a week with a bunch of like-minded idiots.
So, David Rosenfelt, if you ever have to do it again, this petite woman is your man.
You made it sound like a blast, and the stories you told about all the dogs you and Debbie have saved made me love the ones my family has adopted even more.
So, David Rosenfelt, if you ever have to do it again, this petite woman is your man.
You made it sound like a blast, and the stories you told about all the dogs you and Debbie have saved made me love the ones my family has adopted even more.
July 28, 2013
Dogtripping is a real life story about David Rosenfelt and his wife's journey to rescue dogs and move across the country. The Rosenfelt's are moving from Southern California to Maine. When they do this they have to move 25 dogs in the process. After much thought has gone into this plan they decide the best way to do this is in 3 RV's with 11 other people who volunteered to help. David talks about this move and in between talking about the move he introduces the readers to the various dogs that he and his wife have rescued and kept.
I won an ARC of this book and I am so glad I did. This was one of the best books. It's hilarious and warmhearted. Thank goodness for people like David and his wife.
I won an ARC of this book and I am so glad I did. This was one of the best books. It's hilarious and warmhearted. Thank goodness for people like David and his wife.
August 26, 2013
Having moved cross-country from Ohio to California for 5 days in a U-Haul truck with a cat; I know the difficulties of relocating a pet. I can’t even imagine doing this with several animals. David Rosenfelt can and DID: with 25 dogs! He recounts his adventures in “Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on our Canine Cross-Country Adventure”.
Rosenfelt and his wife, Debbie, are the dog version of “crazy cat ladies”. They have volunteered at numerous animal shelters and pet rescues (and run their own rescue), having saved thousands of dogs plus have previously owned upwards of 40 dogs at a time in their own home. Clearly, these dog-crazy folks wouldn’t dream of relocating without their 25 dogs in tow when moving from California across the map to Maine. Enter: “Dog tripping”.
“Dogtripping” is suitably filled with humor and emotions, fitting the story being told. I laughed, I cried, and laughed some more… And that was only within the first 15 pages! Rosenfelt writes in a hilarious and friendly tone which heightens the tale and results in laugh-out-loud comedy. His sarcasm is heavy and yet translates easily through text which is impressive. Rosenfelt could have a great career as a stand-up comedian.
Although “Dogtripping” is written well-enough, there are problems with execution. The chapters alternate between stories of dog rescues and the actual dog relocation. This feels choppy and abrupt, with the dog rescue chapters being short and somewhat irrelevant. It would have made sense to singularly pen the book on the account of the relocation which were the more interesting chapters, anyway. Oddly, the dog trip chapters are presented in italic font which makes it appear like reading a memory, dream, or letter which is quite distracting.
Furthermore, much of “Dogtripping” felt like a “shout-out” to friends/peers of Rosenfelt; while also including references to LA-city life which makes sense to me as I live here, but wouldn’t so much for those who live elsewhere. Again, much of this feels extraneous and “Dogtripping” would be much shorter if the focus was on the actual trip (which is perhaps why all of this was included: there wasn’t enough material).
The chapters concerning the stories of dog rescues become quite repetitive slowing down the pace, while the dog relocation chapters leave unanswered questions. Why didn’t the Rosenfelts’ adult child(ren) help with the move? Did they move their belongings? Why is Rosenfelt’s wife not in any of the photos? Although minor areas, “Dogtripping” continues to feel more like a family account or blog versus a substantial book.
The conclusion of “Dogtripping” rounds out nicely with a summarized ‘moral’ ending albeit, a bit boring. Basically, Rosenfelt’s trip was uneventful (I had more adventures on my own cross-country trip) and therefore the concept of the book is interesting but the actual feat of relocation wasn’t that remarkable.
“Dogtripping” is a whimsy and humorous book which is light and reads quickly: perfect for a beach bag. As an animal lover, I support Rosenfelt and his wife’s animal-saving advocacy but aside from humor, “Dogtripping” just felt like a glorified diary entry/thank-you note to those who helped make the trip possible. “Dogtripping” isn’t terrible and is suggested for animal lovers but it won’t change lives or bear too much repeating.
Rosenfelt and his wife, Debbie, are the dog version of “crazy cat ladies”. They have volunteered at numerous animal shelters and pet rescues (and run their own rescue), having saved thousands of dogs plus have previously owned upwards of 40 dogs at a time in their own home. Clearly, these dog-crazy folks wouldn’t dream of relocating without their 25 dogs in tow when moving from California across the map to Maine. Enter: “Dog tripping”.
“Dogtripping” is suitably filled with humor and emotions, fitting the story being told. I laughed, I cried, and laughed some more… And that was only within the first 15 pages! Rosenfelt writes in a hilarious and friendly tone which heightens the tale and results in laugh-out-loud comedy. His sarcasm is heavy and yet translates easily through text which is impressive. Rosenfelt could have a great career as a stand-up comedian.
Although “Dogtripping” is written well-enough, there are problems with execution. The chapters alternate between stories of dog rescues and the actual dog relocation. This feels choppy and abrupt, with the dog rescue chapters being short and somewhat irrelevant. It would have made sense to singularly pen the book on the account of the relocation which were the more interesting chapters, anyway. Oddly, the dog trip chapters are presented in italic font which makes it appear like reading a memory, dream, or letter which is quite distracting.
Furthermore, much of “Dogtripping” felt like a “shout-out” to friends/peers of Rosenfelt; while also including references to LA-city life which makes sense to me as I live here, but wouldn’t so much for those who live elsewhere. Again, much of this feels extraneous and “Dogtripping” would be much shorter if the focus was on the actual trip (which is perhaps why all of this was included: there wasn’t enough material).
The chapters concerning the stories of dog rescues become quite repetitive slowing down the pace, while the dog relocation chapters leave unanswered questions. Why didn’t the Rosenfelts’ adult child(ren) help with the move? Did they move their belongings? Why is Rosenfelt’s wife not in any of the photos? Although minor areas, “Dogtripping” continues to feel more like a family account or blog versus a substantial book.
The conclusion of “Dogtripping” rounds out nicely with a summarized ‘moral’ ending albeit, a bit boring. Basically, Rosenfelt’s trip was uneventful (I had more adventures on my own cross-country trip) and therefore the concept of the book is interesting but the actual feat of relocation wasn’t that remarkable.
“Dogtripping” is a whimsy and humorous book which is light and reads quickly: perfect for a beach bag. As an animal lover, I support Rosenfelt and his wife’s animal-saving advocacy but aside from humor, “Dogtripping” just felt like a glorified diary entry/thank-you note to those who helped make the trip possible. “Dogtripping” isn’t terrible and is suggested for animal lovers but it won’t change lives or bear too much repeating.
December 20, 2024
5.0 If you are a dog lover, you will love this book. I love this author. This is the second book I have read by him. I learned that it was his wife that started the dog rescuing but David is all in and I love both of them for that. This is a true story about their move from California to Maine with their 25 to 30 dogs. Love the pictures and there are more on his website along with some really good videos. His Andy Carpenter series is about a lawyer and the cases he takes which is very different from this book but still quite good. Love his sense of humor.
October 30, 2016
Cute book, cute vignettes of the various dogs in his life, way too much trying-to-be-funny-sarcasm that got old after a while. For a light read it was OK but it was far less engrossing than I expected. Also, I dislike main characters that are helpless, as Mr. Rosenfelt proclaimed and proved himself to be throughout the book.
February 10, 2014
I liked the concept for this book. I have to admit I didn't finish it, though. The reason for that was because after a while I got tired of the agenda of it. I am a fan of rescuing animals. All my pets come from shelters, and I only adopt adult animals, figuring they have a lesser chance than the cute kittens. That's why the preachy "all people who take their animals to shelters are bad, bad, BAD people!" refrain began to grate on my nerves. I agree that it's awful to get rid of a dog or cat because you get tired of it. I agree you should take responsibility for your animals. It just seemed like he was hitting the reader over the head with his opinions. It is as though the author assumes you can not possibly agree with his sentiment, so he repeats it over and over...and over. I never did make it to the trip (I only got halfway through), because it seemed to take a loooong time to plan everything and give backstory,(and preach to the choir), so I truthfully got tired of it. A good concept for a book, but it was just too much anti-shelter system, and I felt he didn't care a fig for anyone who was even ambivalent about animals. Too much agenda in what should have been just a fun read about traveling with 25+ dogs.
January 9, 2014
I got this sound recording for the family to listen to on a recent car trip. My husband and I were entertained by about the first quarter of the book. We enjoyed David Rosenfelt's brand of self-deprecating humor and the idea of this cross-country road trip with 25 dogs just seemed too insane not to be funny. The kids never really got into the book - it was not engaging enough for them. After the first quarter by husband and I started to get bored with the repeated stories of he and his wife going to a shelter, bringing home 2-5 dogs and adding them to their existing brood. He goes into great detail describing many (perhaps all) of the dogs who made the trip, but after a few dogs' stories that got a little old too. Eventually he began to talk about setting up the logistics of the trip and finally in the last quarter of the book talked about the actual trip across country. Unfortunately for the reader (but I guess fortunately for the Rosenfelts) the trip was pretty uneventful. My husband made the comment that this would have been better as a 4-page magazine article, and I have to agree.
April 7, 2020
i'm a fan of the writer's andy carpenter series. so while i await the next book in that series, i noticed he wrote several stand-alones & 2 non-fictions.
i'm slowly going thru those.
this was the true story of how he & his wife began Tara's Foundation & started rescuing dogs. Then they transported said dogs from the West to East coast via helpful friends & RV's.
lots of humor. fascinating story.
i like the way he divided it up into topics using various chapter titles yet didn't distract from the flow of the narrative.
but there were alot of dogs & people introduced so at times i got a little lost.
i would recommend this to those who enjoy this writers books (you can see elements of andy's life mirrored in david's) as well as dog/pet lovers.
and i must say, what he does w/the foundation is very worthy & admirable. Bravo Mr. Rosenfelt!!!
August 14, 2013
I loved this book.
Through the whole book I was either giggling at the author's sarcastic wit or the antics of one of his many rescue dogs, or I was sobbing uncontrollably. Part of being a dog lover is learning to let them go, but that never makes it easier. I get emotional thinking about dogs being put down... a sadness that this author is all too familiar with.
This is a must read for dog lovers. You will love it from start to finish, just like I did.
I also got to see David Rosenfelt speak recently. He's entertaining to listen to, so if you have the chance to go listen to him, go. :)
Through the whole book I was either giggling at the author's sarcastic wit or the antics of one of his many rescue dogs, or I was sobbing uncontrollably. Part of being a dog lover is learning to let them go, but that never makes it easier. I get emotional thinking about dogs being put down... a sadness that this author is all too familiar with.
This is a must read for dog lovers. You will love it from start to finish, just like I did.
I also got to see David Rosenfelt speak recently. He's entertaining to listen to, so if you have the chance to go listen to him, go. :)
March 13, 2016
I nearly fell asleep reading this one. It was boring, and he didn't have anything very interesting to say about the trip, which didn't happen until halfway through the book. The dog profile chapters that he mixed in were equally as bland. I don't think the author was very likeable or considerate. Just because you save dogs doesn't give you a pass to be inconsiderate to other people and their property.
I read an entire chapter on dog shit. Not fun. Enough said.
I read an entire chapter on dog shit. Not fun. Enough said.
August 17, 2019
So much to like! Funny, sad, 300 dogs. And yes! Tara will live forever. No need to worry. He mentions at one point his Andy Carpenter books were just doing ok so maybe this last one would end the series. Well it was the first cover (#6 PLAY DEAD) to have a dog on it and sales took off.
February 22, 2016
I walked by this book at the library. Am I sure glad I went back and checked it out. Totally got teary eyed.
October 24, 2013
I’ve been a huge fan of Rosenfelt’s since first discovering his wonderful Andy Carpenter series on the bookstore shelves in 2009. I have since purchased and read all of his mystery novels - both within the series and his standalone thrillers. This book marks not only Rosenfelt’s nonfiction debut, but also my first experience listening to one of his books rather than reading it. And what a terrific experience it was!
Morning traffic - once the bane of my commute - suddenly became a welcome thing. I became a nicer driver - waving people ahead of me, in no hurry to get to where I was going, content to listen to the smooth narration (though not read by the author, his voice certainly sounded convincing to me) alternate between relating the history of his journey into being “dog-crazy” and his cross-country move from California to Maine. Some chapters focus on one particular dog in his family and because the Rosenfelts tend to adopt only the most unadoptable of dogs (the elderly or terminally ill), these sections evoke tears. But, like in his fictional novels, Rosenfelt’s humour balances the sadness. And the books is also filled with a lot of love - not only for the dogs (golden retrievers in particular), but also the very obvious love for his wife. It is a wonderful book and I was genuinely disappointed when it ended - I wanted more stories! And though I wouldn’t want to slow down the publication of his fiction novels, I would love to read (listen) to more about Rosenfelt’s real life.
Morning traffic - once the bane of my commute - suddenly became a welcome thing. I became a nicer driver - waving people ahead of me, in no hurry to get to where I was going, content to listen to the smooth narration (though not read by the author, his voice certainly sounded convincing to me) alternate between relating the history of his journey into being “dog-crazy” and his cross-country move from California to Maine. Some chapters focus on one particular dog in his family and because the Rosenfelts tend to adopt only the most unadoptable of dogs (the elderly or terminally ill), these sections evoke tears. But, like in his fictional novels, Rosenfelt’s humour balances the sadness. And the books is also filled with a lot of love - not only for the dogs (golden retrievers in particular), but also the very obvious love for his wife. It is a wonderful book and I was genuinely disappointed when it ended - I wanted more stories! And though I wouldn’t want to slow down the publication of his fiction novels, I would love to read (listen) to more about Rosenfelt’s real life.
April 6, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, but I need to say it. The badly photo shopped cover does not accurately reflect the story within. The title does not really reflect it either. This is not the story of cute, wide eyed pups road tripping. This is the story of a man and a woman who step in and save adult dogs whom no one seems to want. Old dogs, sick dogs, ugly dogs, big dogs, nuisance dogs, dogs with learned behaviors that deem them unable to be adopted. These aren't the cute, body less puppies riding in a Chev (no, really, look closely at the cover, those dogs have no visible body through the windscreen) So what made me buy this book, apart from the fact I buy/read all animal memoirs and biographies I come across? The only thing the front cover got right; the words 'On the road with 25 rescue dogs...what could go wrong?'
The actual story thankfully is much better than the cover. I respect the work this couple does, and found unlikely humor and sadness. There is a great story here that I recommend to all my animal loving friends. Absolutely don't judge a book by it's cover!
The actual story thankfully is much better than the cover. I respect the work this couple does, and found unlikely humor and sadness. There is a great story here that I recommend to all my animal loving friends. Absolutely don't judge a book by it's cover!
July 28, 2013
If you've enjoyed David Rosenfelt's mysteries featuring Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever Tara, you'll find the same kind of writing here, with lots of humorous comments on humanity, including himself.
I laughed a lot and chuckled and teared up a few times. This is a great book for animal lovers.
Ostensibly the story of Rosenfelt's trip moving family, including 25 dogs, from California to Maine, the chapters about the trip itself are heavily interspersed with short chapters about various dogs Rosenfelt has rescued and loved. The chapters were great, but I felt that the trip itself was shortchanged. For example, nine people went with Rosenfelt and his wife, but the reader gets almost no sense of their personalities other than Rosenfelt saying they were great to volunteer (which I am sure he means sincerely) and they enjoyed the trip. The description of the trip could have been more lively.
I laughed a lot and chuckled and teared up a few times. This is a great book for animal lovers.
Ostensibly the story of Rosenfelt's trip moving family, including 25 dogs, from California to Maine, the chapters about the trip itself are heavily interspersed with short chapters about various dogs Rosenfelt has rescued and loved. The chapters were great, but I felt that the trip itself was shortchanged. For example, nine people went with Rosenfelt and his wife, but the reader gets almost no sense of their personalities other than Rosenfelt saying they were great to volunteer (which I am sure he means sincerely) and they enjoyed the trip. The description of the trip could have been more lively.
November 20, 2020
I read this on my grandparents' recommendation. They are big fans of Rosenfelt's "Andy Carpenter" series, and are dog lovers themselves (they are currently owned by two). So, not knowing what I was getting into, I waded in.
This book starts with the death of a dog. Just so you know what you're getting into. Her name was Tara, and she was very much loved. The book then intersperses David and Debbie's crazy cross-country RV trip with 25 doggos (yes, 25) and 3 RVs with sort of "vignettes" of different dogs they've adopted. By the time you read the last page, your face will be wreathed in smiles. It's a tribute to dogs, the love of dogs, and to the beautiful state of Maine. It's a fun, quick read that had me snickering. An "older" book, but definitely one of the best that I've read this year. Highly, highly recommended.
This book starts with the death of a dog. Just so you know what you're getting into. Her name was Tara, and she was very much loved. The book then intersperses David and Debbie's crazy cross-country RV trip with 25 doggos (yes, 25) and 3 RVs with sort of "vignettes" of different dogs they've adopted. By the time you read the last page, your face will be wreathed in smiles. It's a tribute to dogs, the love of dogs, and to the beautiful state of Maine. It's a fun, quick read that had me snickering. An "older" book, but definitely one of the best that I've read this year. Highly, highly recommended.
June 27, 2018
I needed something lighter this week. Though this has a few tough parts - as expected in any book dealing with the lives of rescue dogs - there were plenty of funny moments as well as heartfelt moments. I loved that he talked about each dog. Anyone who has spent time around a dog (or cat or any animal) knows they each have their own personality and quirks. That RV company had no idea what they had done. haha
September 12, 2013
The story of the author's move from southern California to Maine - with his 27 mostly-rescued dogs. Wonderful! And as humorous as his fiction "Andy Carpenter" series, which I recommend.
March 28, 2014
Hilarious, motivating and inside look into a "real dog lovers!"
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