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Bark Until Heard
An inspiring true story of rescuing a puppy-mill dog, fighting for justice and finding joy in an unexpected place.
Living quietly in suburbia, writing for an international animal-welfare organization, I suddenly found myself on assignment in a dark Amish barn at a puppy-mill auction, looking into the eyes of a dirty, scared Chinese crested powder puff.
In front of me wasn't just one dog needing rescue from a miserable life of constant breeding-there were hundreds.
In that horrific moment, face-to-face with animal cruelty, I found complete clarity, With tears streaming down my face, I felt my soul open up.
In the days and years that followed, I found my voice and the courage to passionately fight for the thousands of silenced dogs forced to live a life of neglect. A journey that taught me about the importance of being true to a cause and of never giving up.
Living quietly in suburbia, writing for an international animal-welfare organization, I suddenly found myself on assignment in a dark Amish barn at a puppy-mill auction, looking into the eyes of a dirty, scared Chinese crested powder puff.
In front of me wasn't just one dog needing rescue from a miserable life of constant breeding-there were hundreds.
In that horrific moment, face-to-face with animal cruelty, I found complete clarity, With tears streaming down my face, I felt my soul open up.
In the days and years that followed, I found my voice and the courage to passionately fight for the thousands of silenced dogs forced to live a life of neglect. A journey that taught me about the importance of being true to a cause and of never giving up.
309 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 4, 2015
I'm not actually sure if I don't think the book is valuable - a book can be valuable even if I don't personally like it - or if I just absolutely cannot relate to the narrator. I also don't know if it's just a matter of the language used to tell the story being incongruent with the spirit of the story or if there really was a huge disconnect that was glaringly obvious.
I'll likely still suggest it as a book group read to get others' takes on it. Having run a dog rescue and kicked off a campaign against our local Petland stores, I realize I have a specific veiw that may not apply to the average reader.
I'll likely still suggest it as a book group read to get others' takes on it. Having run a dog rescue and kicked off a campaign against our local Petland stores, I realize I have a specific veiw that may not apply to the average reader.
August 24, 2021
Becky Monroe is a journalist and it shows. In her powerful memoir, Bark Until Heard: Among the Silenced Dogs I Found My Voice, she chronicles her journey into the dark, seedy world of dog auctions and shoddily regulated large-scale dog breeding. Yes, this topic is a hard one to read about, but because of Becky’s passion and desire to make a difference, you’ll be pulled along by her heartfelt story.
Unbeknownst to her, Becky was about to encounter a life-changing event. She was freelancing as a web writer for Best Friends Animal Society to report on the protestors outside a Thorpe, WI dog auction. The protestors were from the advocacy group No Wisconsin Puppy Mills. Becky knew nothing of dog auctions. And then the head protestor invited her inside... “If you really want to know why we’re here you need to walk inside.” As she walked down row after row of stacked cages she became overwhelmed – by the event and the incredible inhumanity toward the filthy and pitiful dogs in the cages. Desperate to do something to help one of them escape his or her life of imprisonment and forced breeding – she bid. And was successful. Thus begins her journey to animal advocate and activist with the purchase of an older, dirty, Chinese crested powderpuff she later names Thorpe.
I appreciate how Becky gave a face to this story – by interspersing Thorpe’s story across the book. Learning about where he came from and dealing with his residual trauma because of it – provides the impetus that changes Becky’s life.
Her heartfelt thoughts and questions about how a supposedly advanced species (as human as supposed to be) could allow the atrocity called puppy mills to exist left me wiping a tear at times. Becky weaves the experience of the dog auctions with her deepening camaraderie with members of the dog rescue groups dedicated to saving these dogs from their lives of hell. You can actually see her advocacy grow across this journey and that was extremely uplifting.
While it was disheartening at times to see roadblocks to more humane treatment of these dogs by politicians and newspaper editors that she contacted, it only built her resolve to be more effective in speaking up for the dogs through action and word. This is a story of awakening and challenging the status quo. Thank goodness Becky took to heart the words of a dog protest leader outside that fateful first dog auction, “If you take a dog out of here today, make sure to make a story out of him. Don’t let his story go untold.”
That is exactly what Becky has done – turning Thorpe’s story into one that will inspire dog lovers to speak up for puppy mill dogs by sharing this story and by NEVER buying a puppy from a pet store or online. As her book title implies, Becky has truly found her voice. Bravo, Becky Monroe!
Unbeknownst to her, Becky was about to encounter a life-changing event. She was freelancing as a web writer for Best Friends Animal Society to report on the protestors outside a Thorpe, WI dog auction. The protestors were from the advocacy group No Wisconsin Puppy Mills. Becky knew nothing of dog auctions. And then the head protestor invited her inside... “If you really want to know why we’re here you need to walk inside.” As she walked down row after row of stacked cages she became overwhelmed – by the event and the incredible inhumanity toward the filthy and pitiful dogs in the cages. Desperate to do something to help one of them escape his or her life of imprisonment and forced breeding – she bid. And was successful. Thus begins her journey to animal advocate and activist with the purchase of an older, dirty, Chinese crested powderpuff she later names Thorpe.
I appreciate how Becky gave a face to this story – by interspersing Thorpe’s story across the book. Learning about where he came from and dealing with his residual trauma because of it – provides the impetus that changes Becky’s life.
Her heartfelt thoughts and questions about how a supposedly advanced species (as human as supposed to be) could allow the atrocity called puppy mills to exist left me wiping a tear at times. Becky weaves the experience of the dog auctions with her deepening camaraderie with members of the dog rescue groups dedicated to saving these dogs from their lives of hell. You can actually see her advocacy grow across this journey and that was extremely uplifting.
While it was disheartening at times to see roadblocks to more humane treatment of these dogs by politicians and newspaper editors that she contacted, it only built her resolve to be more effective in speaking up for the dogs through action and word. This is a story of awakening and challenging the status quo. Thank goodness Becky took to heart the words of a dog protest leader outside that fateful first dog auction, “If you take a dog out of here today, make sure to make a story out of him. Don’t let his story go untold.”
That is exactly what Becky has done – turning Thorpe’s story into one that will inspire dog lovers to speak up for puppy mill dogs by sharing this story and by NEVER buying a puppy from a pet store or online. As her book title implies, Becky has truly found her voice. Bravo, Becky Monroe!
October 22, 2023
As someone who's very passionate about dog rescue and ending puppy mills, this book really spoke to me. I already know a lot about the topic, but I have never attended one of these auctions, so it was really shocking to hear about the author's experiences. The start of the book was really sad, but of course, it's a topic that needs to be discussed because there are so many people who are unaware of how much animal cruelty still exists.
I could not put this book down because I related to the author so much. She's so passionate about helping dogs but many of the people she talks to don't understand the severity of puppy mills - this is often how I feel when explaining my passion for dog rescue too. There are always people who won't care, but there are also lots of people that just don't know. And that's why I would recommend this book to everyone - because it's a great story while also educating people about puppy mills and dog rescue.
I could not put this book down because I related to the author so much. She's so passionate about helping dogs but many of the people she talks to don't understand the severity of puppy mills - this is often how I feel when explaining my passion for dog rescue too. There are always people who won't care, but there are also lots of people that just don't know. And that's why I would recommend this book to everyone - because it's a great story while also educating people about puppy mills and dog rescue.
April 8, 2018
This was an excellent book about one woman's crusade to annihilate the dark world of puppy mills in her state of Wisconsin. It sickened me to read about the auctions that take place where unhealthy and unwanted dogs are sold to other millers like damaged goods -- sometimes for pennies. What went on in those dark, cold barns every September was unthinkable, but luckily it motivated Becky Monroe and her fellow dog lovers to create change through legislation. I hope this book inspires more people to do the same across every state in the country that still allow puppy mills to exist.
August 9, 2018
Becky Monroe shares an important message in this book which gives us eye opening look into the world of puppy mills. This book inspired me to take action and become an advocate and help change the world for our canine companions.
January 11, 2018
If you are a pet owner, then you need to read this book. What an amazing story.
November 27, 2021
Thank you, Becky, for sending me this book! It was heartbreaking, but I learned so much about my two rescue dogs! Thank you for everything you have done to put a stop to puppy mills.
June 26, 2015
Excellent book. More people need to be educated on this issue. Oprah opened everyone's eyes to it a few years ago with her tv special, but people do need to be reminded that buying from pet stores only puts more dogs in puppy mills. I found my two dogs on petfinder.com and adopted them from animal rescues. They bring such happiness to our family! I hope the author sells lots of books and educates many people through her book. Touching, inspiring story. One person CAN make a difference!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews