Finding Home: Shelter Dogs & Their Stories

by Marjorie Luckey

Heart-touching photographs and rescue “Do yourself a favor. Read Finding Home, then go out and adopt a shelter dog.” —Chicago Tribune   Bold, retiring, serious, sparkling, or quirky—the dogs in Traer Scott’s remarkable photographs regard us with humor, dignity, and an abundance of feeling. Scott began photographing these dogs in 2005 as a volunteer at animal shelters. Following the runaway success of her first book, Shelter Dogs, she now introduces a new collection of canine subjects, each with indomitable character and   Morrissey, a pit bull, who suffered from anxiety-related behaviors brought on by shelter life until adopted by a family with four children Chloe, a young chocolate Lab mix, surrendered to a shelter by a family with allergies Gabriel and Cody, retired racing greyhounds Bingley, a dog who lost his hearing during a drug bust but was brought home by a loving family that has risen to the challenge of living with a deaf dog Through text and photos, we become better acquainted with the personalities and life stories of selected dogs and watch as they experience the sometimes rocky and always emotional transition to new homes. The portraits in Finding Home form an eloquent plea for more of the urgently needed adoptive families, as well as a tribute to dogs everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Art, Photography, Dogs, Coffee Table Books

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this title in the kindle daily deals and immediatly fell in love with the cover. That dog and those ears! My eyes quickly went to the title and I thought, "oh, hell no!" and closed the page. Three of my last four dogs are from shelters and every time I'm at a shelter I want to take them all home. I kept thinking about the dog on the cover and wondered if I could handle a book about dogs in shelters. I decided I had to know and to my relief and surprise this book is filled with beautiful photography. The photos capture the shy, quizzical, and loveable personalities of these shelter dogs along with a brief story about each of them. It's not about the doomed fate of shelter dogs. It's about compassion and community.

The section where I fell a part wasn't about the dogs like I expected, but the people that dedicate their time and lives for the cause of making rescue shelters better than decades before. It's their honest, humane, and loving approach to each one of these animals that had me grabbing for the tissues. I'm glad I read this book as it expanded my perspective on shelters and the people who run them and why.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For me it is about the culture of dogs - the culture of shelter dogs and their challenges. The photography grabbed me, and I find some of these dogs utterly unforgettable- such as Roman or Bear the dog on the front cover. Sad stories -some happy stories--lots of pit bulls, which fascinate and frighten me at the same time. Why is this breed so popular? I don't know the answer. If you have had lots of purebreds, you might enjoy taking a look at life on the other side -- mixed breed shelter dogs. They have much to offer and also are good if you want to give. I'd like to get a copy of Scott's other book called Shelter Dogs. I really didn't know that many shelter dogs are not abused --they arrive at shelters for many reasons. Scott thought all her readers were singing to the choir -so to speak-- not for me; I learned a lot and want to know more about shelter dogs. Many photos and light on text -- perfect!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book of photos of rescue dogs, along with their stories! I would have preferred if the biography section had been incorporated into the photos, instead of at the end of the book.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs of dogs along with a short bio on each dog.
A must read for dog lovers.

[sherry Lazlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart touching Book

Bless all the wonderful people who care for God's creatures at shelters and foster homes. This book made me smile and cry.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is have the tissues handy. I'm a mess now.

Beautiful photos, beautiful beings and a worthy cause.

I'm going to go get myself back together now.

[melissa ⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(woah.. im the first to rate/review this book. this is kind of nerve wracking so sorry for being insufficient lol)

I picked up this book for my senior research project, which is on animal shelters. I expected it to just be pictures and stories about shelter dogs (which it mainly is) but I wanted it anyway just to give me inspiration and to keep me motivated for my project. But surprisingly it also gave me some good information I can use on it, so that was nice. The best part about this book though is definitely the pictures! Traer Scott must be super talented, because I can never take that great of photos of my own dog. Especially ones like these, which show such emotion in them. You can see the playfulness in the set of the dogs' mouths, the wisdom or sadness or whatever other emotions in their eyes. I also just thought it was funny how well each name fit the corresponding dog. Like after looking at every dog I'm just like "Yep. This dog is totally a Luigi" or "Gypsy? Hell yeah you are" or something of that matter.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book from start to finish. I have volunteered at my local animal shelter for the past few years and was given this book as a gift for Christmas. With contributors like Heather Gutshall, one of the founders of Handsome Dan's Rescue (named after Handsome Dan, a Vicktory dog) in Rhode Island, it is well written, poignant, and the photos are absolutely stunning. This book is mostly beautiful images of shelter dogs- they highlight a few with length stories and at the end you are given a short bio of each dog, why they were surrendered, and their fate (fear not, most were adopted!) There are also short write ups by the end by the aforementioned Heather, rescue workers, and local animal control- each story brought tears to my eyes and were so beautifully written.

A great book for the dog lover, animal rescue worker, or animal lover in your life. I highly recommend it.

[Kathleen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will stay in my thoughts for a long time to come... The photographer did an amazing job capturing these beautiful dogs on film and making me sit and wonder what they were thinking.... Some of the pups were complete hams and others looked quite pensive. I've been a volunteer at a local rescue for the past 2 years and I've seen so much...sometimes things that one should never, ever have to see. I've loved eveery single one of the dogs that came through our doors, the ones begging for love and the ones that seem unlovable.
This book made me laugh and it made me cry. Each picture told a tale, some with surprise endings. I think this book is a must-have for all dog lovers and for everyone who thinks they would like to add a dog to their family some day.
A beautiful and honest story about some soulful dogs and their journeys.... I didn't want it to end!

[Phyllis M. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ALL kinds of animals, and this book, with its beautiful pictures, helped me love them even more. I sincerely hope these books, and their pictures, raise more awareness for adoption but continued ownership. I've noticed that parents buy the kids a cute kitten, puppy or chick, but when it grows up or the children get bored with it the family tends to give the poor creature up or abandon them to their own devices, abuse them or outright kill them. I keep hoping things will get better, as I am always an optimist.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. Great gift for the dog lover in your life. We adopted our dog from a shelter 11 years ago and she has changed our lives for the better. She does have her quirks as we all do but she gives us so much love and has shown us to enjoy every moment, to slow down a little. I would love to adopt more but she had a bad experience being adopted once (she was 8 weeks when we got her) and gets very stressed around another dogs. I truly believe dogs are gifts from God and are placed in our lives for a reason!!

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge dog lover and am a fan (mostly) of shelters and the work they do in trying to find homes for homeless canines. I was hoping to have a book that was a bit meatier w/stories. The written part of this book was disappointing. I enjoyed the pics of the sheltered dogs. This book was simply "hokay" for me. I finished it in an hour.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book as a gift. Felt that the photographs really tried to capture the spirit of each dog. Wish the author had put the brief bios next to the pictures instead of at the back. Enjoyed the brief and very personal Reflections on Animal Rescue by a dog coordinator, shelter owner, animal control officer and the founder of a shelter.

[Jay Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I would like this book just by looking at its title and book cover. If the book included the stories of each dog featured in the book, I would have liked it much better. Since only a select few had their stories in the book, I felt it left the readers hanging. 4.5/5

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, this book gives biographies of these shelter dogs and describes how shelters impact their behavior. Thought provoking.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a dog lover and a huge advocate for animal rescue and adoption. Loved this book!

[Shan F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories and stunning photography .. this book currently has pride of place on my coffee table! Would recommend to any dog lover.

[Christine D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and touching book about dog shelters and adoption.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equally sad and uplifting, this book will tug at your heartstrings. Great photography, some uplifting stories, as well as some sad ones.

[G.G. Baldez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

It was beautifully written. While it was sad there were fortunately some uplifting status on the dogs featured in the book.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

People who think Pitbulls are bad simply because they are pitbulls are the ultimate evil.

[Minna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, moving, and heartwrenching.

I'm a dog person for sure but I don't see how anyone could fail to be moved by this book.

I found myself flipping madly between the dogs and their bios in the back so I could be assured that they'd survived the shelter and found their forever homes.

I've also read Traer Scott's earlier work Shelter Dogs and found it similarly terrific. Highly recommend this to any animal lover.

Adding to 2021 PopSugar Reading challenge for category: book with a black and white cover.

[She Who Shall Remain Nameless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking

This book will definitely pull at your heartstrings that’s for sure. I love dogs but have only ever had cats since I’m afraid that I won’t know what I’m doing with a dog. I have donated to the ASPCA and shelters for decades now, but this book inspired me to overcome my fears and begin volunteering at my county shelter. I begin the day after tomorrow. Wish me luck. My husband is afraid that I will be bringing home multiple animals every day. We will have to see how it goes.

[Bill Glose · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is impossible to flip through this thin book without smiling. Not only because of the artfully-crafted, portrait-style photos of adorable pooches; but also because of the heartwarming stories of their adoption into loving homes. Included in the back is an FAQ-style section on adoption basics and resources. This book serves both as a gorgeous portfolio of man’s best friend and a call to action for dog lovers to rescue animals in need.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, but effective snapshot into an unfortunate byproduct of man's selfishness and indifference to a living example of what we SHOULD aspire to be, the dog. I would implore you to buy it, read it, and ACT on it. Let us repair at least one of our colossal fuck-ups, the needless suffering of our ONLY true companion. For possibly the only time in your life, be the person your dog thinks you are !

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of my Humble Bundle (which I totally forgot about, haha), and I just couldn't resist this one. Look at the cover! This was a really wonderful read, quite emotional at times and filled to the brim with gorgeous black/white photographs of dogs (a biography of the dogs is located at the end of the book). A must read!

[Carol Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only made me tear up a couple of times. This amazed me because I thought this would happen a lot reading the book and looking at pictures. It is comforting to know that so many shelters are working so hard to avoid having to euthanize animals.

[Christian LaCroix · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful book

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your beautiful written book. The stories are amazing and go straight to your heart. It makes you laugh, cry, yell. You are truly an amazing person who loves animals and it shows. God bless you

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully written

it truly gives insight to what it is like to work at a shelter

every dog has a story and they deserve to be heard

[Avery Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! The pictures and stories of each dog really pulled at my heartstrings, and it just makes you want to give these poor pups a hug!