Where The Lost Dogs Go: A Story of Love, Search, and the Power of Reunion

by Susannah Charleson

From a New York Times best-selling author, an important and heartfelt exploration into the world of lost dogs and the power of reunion

One in six dogs go missing at some point in their lives, leaving bereft owners to search high and low, hang missing posters, check shelters, and hope for good news. But amid these grim statistics, countless happy endings are forged. Tails wag again. Best friends are reunited.
 
In  Where the Lost Dogs Go, Susannah Charleson, author of  Scent of the Missing and a trusted chronicler of the human/animal bond, dives headlong into the world of missing dogs. The mission to reunite lost pets with their families starts with Susannah’s own shelter rescue, Ace, a plucky Maltese mix with a mysterious past who narrowly survived months wandering lost. While Susannah formally studies animal behavior, lost-pet search tactics, social media strategies, and the psychology of loss, Ace also steps up for training. Cheerful and resourceful, Ace has revealed a nose for the scent of lost pets, and together they help neighbors and strangers in their searching.
 
In  Where the Lost Dogs Go, readers take to the streets beside Susannah to bring home a host of missing pets. Along the way, Susannah finds a part of herself also lost. And when unexpected heartbreak shatters her own sense of direction, it is Ace—the shelter dog that started it all—who leads Susannah home. Inquisitive, instructive, heartrending, and hopeful,  Where the Lost Dogs Go  pays tribute to the missing dogs—and to the found—and to the restless space in between.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, Memoir, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2019

About the author

Susannah Charleson is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Scent of the Missing, as well as two other books involving her work training talented dogs for partnership beside humans. She lives with her search partner, Gambit, a golden retriever certified for the detection and recovery of missing persons, as well as a handful of other dogs trained in wildlife or missing pet search.

Coming from a background in broadcast journalism and with a passion for historic home preservation, Charleson recently collaborated with with Jamie Arty (whose story this is) to research and write 'The Chancellor's Mansion: A Renovation Story of Family, Home, History, and Mystery' -- about a couple who took the risk on a battered mansion slated for demolition and turned it into their family home, discovering a surprising, moving history along the way.

Reviews

[Jill Robbertze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little memoir. The author relates some of her experiences of rescueing and adopting dogs and cats. Susannah uses her experience as a Search and Rescue worker (of humans) to also do important work in searching for lost pets and helping to locate the pet-parents of "found" stray pets. An interesting read with some things to learn about both searching and capturing an animal on the loose, and some good ideas about how and where to advertise a lost pet. A worthy read for any animal lover.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just didn't want to finish this book! It was that good. What a wonderful blend of lost-pet stories and memoir. As I read the helpful hints in the Appendix I realized I have been involved to some degree in this same story for more than 20 years. I am pleased to note some of the tactics I have used to help lost dogs are recommended by Charleson and informed by some of the mistakes I've made.

A slip lead is kept in every glove compartment, and I have given shelter to numerous stray dogs through the years, some eventually reunited with their owners and others eventually found new homes. One of those strays, a beagle I suspect was dumped, is lying here beside me as I type. An exhaustive search for his previous owner proved fruitless (and I frequently tell him I know why :).
Another lost dog that made the rounds through a shelter, a foster home and a rescue group is in the chair with me.

Charleson's book makes me proud to have helped so many dogs and makes me long to do more. Her writing is captivating. She is a woman after my own heart. I will definitely read her previous books.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an advance copy from NetGalley for an honest review**

A fantastic read from Susannah Charleson, part memoir, part dog behaviour, it all blends in well to deliver a wonderful book on missing or lost dogs.

I, thankfully, have not been in a such a situation of having a beloved dog go missing and some of these stories were heartbreaking. Thank goodness for the tireless work of people like Susannah who help reunite people and their best friends. I really enjoyed reading about her work.

One thing I have found reading memoirs or biographies about people with dogs or who work with them is that they can focus on the authors mundane life, which is probably only interesting to friends and family (sorry to say).

This is NOT that kind of book, every story from Susannah's childhood and adult life focuses on some kind of interaction with a dog which I really appreciated, its exactly what I am looking for when I read these kind of books.

I would highly recommend to any dog lovers.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read all year! Susannah Charleson has woven an excellent story of family, love, heroism, and loss throughout the pages of this masterpiece. I picked this book up not really knowing what to expect and quickly became immersed in Susannah's day to day search and rescue stories with her wonderful companions Puzzle & Ace, not to mention her other whimsical pets. Told with grace, style, and a lot of heart, by the time I had finished the book I was choking back sobs over people and fur babies that felt like family.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio, and like her other books, the author did a good job as narrator. This book was interesting and also has good tips what to do if you lose a pet and if you find a pet. There are things I never thought of, particularly with respect to chasing or trying catch a loose pet, and I now have a better understanding of what to do in both situations. She talks about her dog Puzzle that has a quality that attracts lost dogs to her. It reminded me of my neighbor’s dog, who dogs seem to gravitate to, even dogs like mine who normally don’t like other dogs. Good informative book.

[Valarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea Susannah had a new book coming out and when Audible told me I immediately downloaded it. I love Susannah’s narration, she should narrate more books.

Like all of her books, Where the Lost Dogs Go is very cohesive. It flows beautifully and provides a lot of information about keeping your dog safe and action to take should you lose a dog. I wasn’t prepared for some of the sad turns the book takes.

I’m debating buying a physical copy of this book to more easily peruse the tips in the book.

[Leah K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where The Lost Dogs Go is a memoir written by Susannah Charleston. In this book we follow Ms. Charleston as her and her pups continue their job if searching for lost animals (dogs and cats usually). Her dog, Puzzle, is trained specifically to search for lost pets (whether because they escape, natural disasters, etc) and along the way meets Ace - a pup who seems well loved but doesn't seem to have a home. The author also discusses her family life and dealing with the declining health of her parents and the care they need. I found myself crying at points and laughing at others. It's a sweet memoir and worth the read!

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susannah Charleson, an expert handler of search and rescue dogs, found herself more or less accidentally pulled into the world of missing animal rescue; her search dog, Puzzle, a golden retriever, was a "magnet dog" that lost dogs would come to willingly. This book is part memoir of how her parents, even in their brokenness, set her on the path that eventually led her to pet finding, and partly the story of her new animal search dog Ace and Puzzle's last days, interspersed with great and inspirational stories of searches for dogs, cats, and even a wayward gerbil.

While the book is a great read both as a memoir and pet story, it's also vital reading for all pet owners. Six out of ten dogs get lost sometime in their lives, and in this book you'll find a lot of great information on how to react if it happens to your pup. I highly recommend making a copy of her appendix on how to prepare for the unthinkable and what to do if it happens and putting it to use.

Beautifully written, deeply moving - and important. You may think your pet will never get lost, but you need to be ready, and the faster and better you react, the higher the chance your lost dog will come home.

[Deb Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The author gave great information along with wonderful, compelling stories in this memoir. I found myself nodding, at her descriptions of her pets (cats and dogs, primarily) responses to things - I'd laugh, or tear up, accordingly. Beautifully written, completely engaging. Highly recommend!

[Margie Dewind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how engrossing I found this book about lost and found dogs (and other animals), their families, and their seekers and finders.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I wasn't as interested in the author's flashbacks to her childhood and the stories of her parents. However, in the end, I realized it was a good back story, especially given how animal rescue was such a salient part of her history growing up. The various stories of SAR (Search and Rescue) missions as well as the missing animal stories were enjoyable to read. Being a Golden person, the overarching theme of connection between her and Puzzle was a personal highlight, especially since our Goldens were born in the same year.

I really appreciated the emphasis on trying to figure out if a found dog or cat had a previous family. The tips like "Lost dog lives here" signs and the advice to make sure to take the found dog or cat to the nearest shelter to where they were found was also appreciated. I know I once found a dog in one county and took him to the shelter another county over, b/c it was our "home" shelter so I knew how to get there and was familiar with it. I didn't think at the time that I might have been making it harder for this lost Beagle to get home by doing so, but now I know better.

There are some really useful tips and resources for what to do if you lose a 4 legged family member and even better--there are plenty of suggestions for how to prevent your dog or cat (or gerbil) from going missing in the first place (***microchips** everyone!). By the way, it sounds like most of the people who lose a dog or cat will say, "He would never run away" or "I knew about the hole in the fence, but we didn't take the time to fix it." So just know yes all critters have the capacity to become lost and flaws in the fences can and will be exploited, given enough time and motivation.

Overall, it was a good book that I was glad I read and would recommend to fellow animal-lovers.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read lately. Sure, I needed tissues along the way....
Susannah Charleson's memoir is one of dogs lost and dogs found. She weaves the story of Puzzle, her search and rescue dog, with her finding of Ace, found dirty and skinny at a shelter, hours away from being euthanized. She also tells the story of growing up with parents who taught her the love of animals, and who fostered acts of returning lost dogs to their homes. She also tells the story of her parents' decline in their old age with her observations of her pack of dogs learning to live with one another. I wasn't aware of her previous book, but I am hoping to seek them out.

[Teresa Biggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all 3 of Susannah's books and I liked this one the least of the three. It was still good, alot of childhood memories in it ... I loved ACE and was wondering if she was going to find his original owners and I cried when Puzzle died .. mostly because Puzzle was the star of her other books and so I " felt" like i had know Puzzle. Each animal had a unique story and those were so cool .. even finding the lost gerbil. I learned quite a bit from this book.. cause I am the one who chases after the stray animal .. but I do carry the leash in my cars. I was surprised Susannah did not mention her heath in this book since she was sick in another. Susannah has a huge heart .

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It's a perfect mix, memoir with lots of tidbits about search and rescue and animal behavior. I learned quite a bit about what to do when encountering a lost pet and what to do should one of my own go missing. We all do our best to keep our pets safe but things happen and having people like Susannah and her little rescue Ace are such a valuable resource. I also loved her stories of Puzzle the human search and rescue dog. I highly recommend this one to any pet lover!

[Katie Avagliano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize until I started reading that I’ve actually read another book by this author (I have blown through a lot of dog books this year) but I thought that book, Possibility Dogs, had more information. This book is some cross between memoir and...I don’t know, not memoir.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Where the Lost Dogs Go: A Story of Love, Search, and the Power of Reunion, Susannah Charleson presents a poignant and heartfelt narrative that transcends the typical animal rescue story. This memoir, blending elements of personal reflection, investigative journalism, and a love letter to dogs, offers a deep dive into the world of lost pets and the emotional bonds between humans and their canine companions.

Charleson, who is known for her work as a search-and-rescue handler, invites readers into her life as she navigates the intricate and often heart-wrenching process of finding lost dogs. The book begins with her own journey of rescuing a stray, a battered and lost dog named Ace, whose plight serves as a catalyst for exploring broader themes of loss, hope, and reunion.

The narrative is rich with detailed accounts of various search missions, highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs associated with each case. Charleson’s writing is both lyrical and precise, painting vivid pictures of the dogs she seeks and the emotional landscapes she traverses. Her prose captures the urgency and desperation that accompany each search, as well as the profound relief and joy when a lost pet is finally found.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Charleson's ability to weave her personal story with broader reflections on the human-animal bond. Her introspective musings about the nature of loss and the powerful connections we forge with our pets provide a deeply emotional core to the book. These reflections are enhanced by her keen observational skills and her ability to translate complex emotions into accessible, relatable language.

Additionally, Charleson delves into the psychological aspects of why dogs go missing and how they survive on their own. This exploration adds a layer of depth to the book, offering readers insights into animal behavior and the various factors that influence a dog’s ability to navigate the world without human guidance.

*Where the Lost Dogs Go* is not just a book for dog lovers, but for anyone who has experienced the pain of loss and the joy of reunion. It is a testament to the resilience of both humans and animals, and a reminder of the extraordinary lengths we will go to for those we love. Charleson’s narrative is a powerful tribute to the enduring bonds between people and their pets, and a celebration of the remarkable stories of rescue and reunion that restore our faith in kindness and determination.

I appreciated the information as I have been working with my dog in scent work.

In conclusion, Susannah Charleson's *Where the Lost Dogs Go* is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant memoir that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. It is a must-read for anyone who cherishes the unspoken, unbreakable bond between humans and their four-legged friends.

[Reyna Favis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of Susannah Charleson's new book "Where the Lost Dogs Go" says it is a story of love, search, and the power of reunion. What's left out is that this is also a story of resilience.

It's about the resilience of the lost animals who must survive in difficult and sometimes hostile environments. If they are granted a miracle and land a new home, they must now adapt to the foreign rhythms of a new family. The example of Ace in the story showed he continued to feel the loss of his first family, even while finding his place in his new home.

The flip side of resilience in the canine-human bond are the pet owners who must manage the alternating feelings of uncertainty and dread. Pet owners must dig deep and muster the stamina to continue searching while bombarded by the daily demands of life.

The book is also about the resilience of the author, who suffered three substantial losses while she wrote this book. Despite the pain of these losses, she continued to put one foot in front of the other, searching for the lost and generously helping the unfortunate.

Susannah Charleson pours her heart into the pages as she describes stories from her childhood that explain why she is so drawn to helping animals. She offers detailed insight into how to search for a lost pet while she tells us the story of Ace, a Maltese-Poodle cross. When we first meet Ace, he's someone's lost dog who wound up in a shelter in desperate shape. Under the author's care, he gets his health and spirit back, and he eventually trains to find other missing pets as a MAR (Missing Animal Response) dog.

The story is beautifully written with great storytelling and moments of gentle humor. I would highly recommend to anyone who loves animals.

[Pete Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the Lost Dogs Go is a super memoir by author Susannah Charleson, who writes about an all-to-familiar theme—lost dogs. Coming from a family that loved animals, Charleson works as a dog trainer in developing animals that learn to track. Many of the dogs she works with love the challenge. When not in training, her dogs interact with each other as normal pets do.

Charleson retells anecdotes of several rescues. Each missing dog story is unique, and they don't all end happily. After reading this book, I've learned not to adopt a one size fits all approach to missing dogs. Rescuers, while well-intentioned, can scare an animal off if they add to the dog's stress. The author points out that some animals are more prone to running, and she emphasizes the importance of chipping your animal. Using Facebook and lost pet sites are other avenues for finding missing animals.

The author tells us that one in six dogs gets lost, and many animals are repeat offenders. Owners who overlook needed yard repairs sometimes learn hard lessons.

The story contains personal notes as Charleson shares intimate details of her parent's divorce. I found the writing excellent and the animal stories uplifting, happy, and sometimes heartbreaking.

[Todd Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of heroism and service of dogs for dogs. While not a universal truth-revealing story, this book will tug at the heart of dog-lovers from two directions.
You will love the amazing stories of heroism performed by dogs and people searching for lost animals, particularly lost dogs. Whether the lost dogs are runaways or refugees from disasters, the searches described are intimately portrayed, placing you in the middle of the action.
If you have a dog in your home, this book will also tear at your heart with a bit of fear. Most dog owners let their puppies off-leash from time to time, especially at parks and along paths. The truism of the book should stick with all dog lovers: No dog ever runs off... until it does.
You can't read or listen to this book without a greatly-enlarged appreciation for the people and dogs who devote their days and nights to searching for lost pets, attempting to bring peace, relief, and joy to those families, the same feelings you will experience as you join the author in her personal stories.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Susannah Charleson's The Possibility Dogs a few years ago, in which I learned about her process of teaching shelter dogs how to do search-and-rescue. It was in that book that we meet Puzzle for the first time. Puzzle, a golden retriever, turns out to not only be good at human SAR, but also as a magnet dog: lost dogs come to her readily.

In this book, we see Puzzle in her new role, helping find lost animals in the neighborhood, but we also meet a scrappy dog called Ace. Ace has a particular talent for tracking lost animals, and we get some insight into his training as well.

We also see Charleson's childhood memories of her parents rescuing and caring for lost animals and how they set the example for her. Those memories become more poignant as her father goes through cancer treatment and her mother develops dementia.

This book is a tender look at the human-animal bond, and how much our furry family members mean to all of us. Highly recommended.

[Olivia Nevels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Susannah Charleson’s memoirs. She writes in a way that it’s entertaining that I have to remind myself this isn’t fiction and this is something that has actually happened.

I like hearing more of a mixture between current events and the past of her growing up. The stories each have a little lesson that anyone can take apart and really understand when given the time.

I would have loved to meet and see her work in person but I am also glad to read all her stories and experiences she did share when she did. I would trust her and reach out to her for assistance in lost person or pet from how she wrote her books and how it felt like I was sitting in a living room with a cup of coco listening to stories during a cozy winter night.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book, a perfect read for any dog lover. Your heart will be touched by all the little animals - dogs and cats and even gerbils - within these pages. The search and rescue work is really fascinating. Even taking on notes of a memoir, this book includes bits and pieces of the lives of the author and her parents and their relationships with each other. It's wonderful how the memory of Susannah's parents and of her golden Puzzle are honored. The parts about little Ace were my favorite, but overall this whole book was very good. I will see if I can find more from this author. Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.

[Christie Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a long time fan of this author and her golden retriever search dog, Puzzle. This book focuses on the author’s ever-increasing involvement with missing animal, in addition to missing people, search, partially inspired by her parents and partially by her own found dog, little maybe-Maltese-mix Ace. I’m always fascinated by search dogs — the way they can follow evidence that we can’t see, the way two species can work together to reach a positive outcome. I still want to have another go at SAR some day if I ever have the time to really commit to it. In the meantime, I will continue to read Susannah Charleson’s books and hope she writes another one soon about Puzzle’s successor, Gambit.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir that includes snapshots from Susannah Charleson's childhood, her own family of dogs, and her rescue experience is funny, sad, and heartwarming. If you don't love dogs when you start you will at least appreciate them when you finish. Each chapter includes a related photo and a tale of rescue of either pets, people, or both. Susannnah's parents were good people, just not good for each other, but each instilled a goodness in her that made her a caring adult, dedicated to helping. I appreciated the insight into dog personalities. The information about pet rescue at the end of the book is very useful.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

$2.99

If you have read Susannah Charleson before, then you must read this book. In this book, she addresses the heartache that you have most likely endured if you own a dog or share your home with a cat. More and more people are recognizing the importance of reuniting owners with their pets who are part of the family. The author is no different.

When Susannah finds the most pitiful little dog on a website that is scheduled to be euthanized, there is something about the little guy that tugs at her heart and she has to go get him even though it means traveling halfway across the state of Texas. Once again she shows that no animal is useless and with TLC Ace shows that he loves to search too, but not for people as she does with her Golden, Puzzle, but he's good at finding cats or dogs. Maybe it's the other way around, but it often works.

The author also shares stories in this book of her parents, and you can clearly see how she has become such an animal lover. I just wish she lived next door to me.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for anyone who loves animals. With so many helpful steps to take to prevent your pets from becoming lost or steps to take if they get lost.
Brought tears to my eyes when Puz died. The author/owner bemoaned the fact that Puzzle died when she was gone for little more than an hour. Why did she die when she was alone except for her faithful companion dog, Ace. As a Hospice RN for 25yrs, I am aware that many of the dying chose to go when their loved one is gone in order to spare them the pain of watching a final breath etc. It happened all of the time in my practice.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had had this book a couple, three years ago. A neighbor of mine had lost her beloved cat and we never did find it. As a pet parent of rescue cats, I relate very strongly to these tales. Losing pets and not knowing what happened to them is so difficult and heartbreaking, but sometimes it happens. I love that Susannah and her dogs Puzzle and Ace are able to help reunite missing pets with their parents. Amazing! Both animal lovers and pet parents will enjoy this book. So good.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalle in exchange for a fair review.

[Bookloverinhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where the Lost Dogs Go by Susannah Charleson 🐶
A super heart-warming, sometimes tear-jerking story about Susannah and her golden retriever Puzzle become in searching for and rescuing lost animals. Susannah tells about growing up and it seems her calling was really her destiny. Ace, a rescued maltipoo, quickly steps up to be a great finder of lost pets. Susannah with Puzzle and Ace locate several lost pets, and reunite them with their family. 🐶

A perfect read for a fall sunshiney lazy day. If you have a dog or a heart, you’ll love this book! 🐶

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I’ve read (audiobook) from this author. I really enjoy her narrative tone. It’s smooth, soft spoken and easy to listen to. Having said that, the one problem I experienced with this book was the same for the other one ….Too many details and run on stories. The title is a bit misleading as the majority of the book focuses on her rescues (which I loved hearing about) but not really all about “lost dogs”. I did learn quite a lot where important information was sprinkled in. All in all, I do recommend the book as it’s a good story.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The non-fiction story of a dog handler for human search and rescue and her pack of dogs. This includes rescuing a dog in a shelter who desperately needs help, details of her own dog who is active in missing human search, the younger dog she is training for the same work, and her other dogs, friends in rescue.
Much of the book is devoted to finding lost pets, training the shelter rescue to do that work, and how dogs react to being lost.
Very good information, including pages at the end of what you should have on hand before a pet goes missing.