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My Life Among the Underdogs: A Memoir
From one of the most respected figures in the dog rescue community come the harrowing, funny, and inspiring stories of nine incredible dogs that shaped her life. Tia Torres, beloved underdog advocate and star of Animal Planet's hit show Pit Bulls & Parolees, chronicles her roller-coaster life in this heartwarming memoir featuring some of her best-loved dogs. With inimitable honesty and characteristic brashness, Tia captures the spirit and heart of these intelligent and loving canines, while carrying us behind the scenes of her TV show, into the heart of post-Katrina New Orleans, onto the soundstages of Hollywood films, and even to the jungles of Sri Lanka. Tia has devoted her life to shattering the stereotype that pit bulls are dangerous, vicious predators. As the top dog at the Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans, the largest pit bull rescue in the United States, she and her team have rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed hundreds of animals that might otherwise have been destroyed. As she puts it, "Most of the stories in this book are about animals (and a few humans) that needed someone to believe in them and a purpose in order to show their true nobility." Each dog Tia writes about here has overcome abuse, trauma, neglect, or just bad luck to become a stalwart, loving companion to Tia and her family. You'll meet Duke , whose intelligence and matinee-idol looks made him a star in movies and music videos; Junkyard Joe, whose single-minded passion for tennis balls was channeled into expertise as a drug-sniffing dog; Bluie , the unswerving protector of Tia's daughter Tania; and a host of other unforgettable canines. My Life Among the Underdogs is above all a love story--one that is sure to grip the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2018
470 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
March 27, 2019
I've been watching Pit Bulls and Parolees since I was ten years old. It convinced me in a matter of ten minutes that pit bulls were not the monsters I'd always heard them to be, and now as someone heavily involved in animal rescue, particularly working with bully breed dogs, I will forever be grateful to this show and rescue for being a constant reminder of why I do what I do.
Of course, that doesn't mean this memoir would be good. I wasn't sure if the writing quality would be up to my standards or if it would read like just another of the many rescue books, but I needn't have been worried. I loved every second of this.
Tia's memoir is inspirational in many ways. Though she rarely delves deep into her personal history outside of a few paragraphs here and there, there's so much emotion and honesty in this narrative. Her love for her children is so prevalent in every story.
The dogs are all amazing, of course, each such resilient creatures in the face of so much human error. The love and loyalty of a dog is powerful, and you really see it in each story. These are dogs that bring people together, defend their humans at all costs, and help them heal after the worst hurts.
It's not perfect structurally, but it's so well written that it just consumed me every time I opened it. One of the best memoirs I've read in a while, as well as one of the best dog-centered books.
Of course, that doesn't mean this memoir would be good. I wasn't sure if the writing quality would be up to my standards or if it would read like just another of the many rescue books, but I needn't have been worried. I loved every second of this.
Tia's memoir is inspirational in many ways. Though she rarely delves deep into her personal history outside of a few paragraphs here and there, there's so much emotion and honesty in this narrative. Her love for her children is so prevalent in every story.
The dogs are all amazing, of course, each such resilient creatures in the face of so much human error. The love and loyalty of a dog is powerful, and you really see it in each story. These are dogs that bring people together, defend their humans at all costs, and help them heal after the worst hurts.
It's not perfect structurally, but it's so well written that it just consumed me every time I opened it. One of the best memoirs I've read in a while, as well as one of the best dog-centered books.
May 5, 2019
“My mission is to rescue. My hope is that one day I won’t have to.”
If you’ve heard that quote before, there’s a good chance that you’re a fan of Animal Planet’s Pit Bulls & Parolees. This memoir belongs to the feisty, red-headed woman who started Villabos Rescue Center, first rescuing wolves and wolf hybrids, then turning to one of the dog’s with the baddest reputations, the American Pit Bull Terrier. Currently, the rescue houses close to 400 dogs of all breeds and employs parolees to help with all of the work. It takes one tough person to hold all of that together.
In My Life Among the Underdogs, we get a peek into Tia’s life before starting the rescue. First, being raised a cowgirl by her stepmother who taught her to depend on no one else, to a drifting young adult, to an exotic animal trainer, to a dog trainer for Hollywood, then to rescuing full time. All of this while giving birth to and raising two beautiful daughters, who would become strong, independent and compassionate just like their mother.
We also learn the life stories of some of the top dogs of Tia’s life. These chapters were both uplifting and heartbreaking. You learn about these wonderful, resilient creatures and all they taught both Tia and humanity and then, you hear about their passing. How can that not tug at your heart? If you’ve had a dog, you’re probably all too familiar with that pain, so it’s impossible not to relate.
There are not too many people in this world that I truly idolize but, Tia Torres is one of the them. Life spent rescuing animals is hard, I’ve dabbled in it myself, no where near the size that Tia has. While rewarding, at times it can be absolutely soul crushing. You have to look the worst of humanity in the eye, not engage to the best of your ability and just get the poor, tortured animal the fuck out of dodge. It’s a hard thing to dedicate your life to. Animal rescue workers are more prone to depression and suicide, and it’s understandable.
I hope to see more memoirs from Tia Torres or anyone on her rescue crew. It helps bring more people into the rescue fold, even if it’s adopting instead of shopping, every changed mind is progress and we still have a long ways to go.
My one complaint, and I don’t think I’ve said this since I was little, is that there are no pictures! I mean, I want one million dog pictures, but if there could have just have been ten or so, that would have been great. I loved hearing about these amazing dogs but I would have also really liked to see their cute little faces.
If you’ve heard that quote before, there’s a good chance that you’re a fan of Animal Planet’s Pit Bulls & Parolees. This memoir belongs to the feisty, red-headed woman who started Villabos Rescue Center, first rescuing wolves and wolf hybrids, then turning to one of the dog’s with the baddest reputations, the American Pit Bull Terrier. Currently, the rescue houses close to 400 dogs of all breeds and employs parolees to help with all of the work. It takes one tough person to hold all of that together.
In My Life Among the Underdogs, we get a peek into Tia’s life before starting the rescue. First, being raised a cowgirl by her stepmother who taught her to depend on no one else, to a drifting young adult, to an exotic animal trainer, to a dog trainer for Hollywood, then to rescuing full time. All of this while giving birth to and raising two beautiful daughters, who would become strong, independent and compassionate just like their mother.
We also learn the life stories of some of the top dogs of Tia’s life. These chapters were both uplifting and heartbreaking. You learn about these wonderful, resilient creatures and all they taught both Tia and humanity and then, you hear about their passing. How can that not tug at your heart? If you’ve had a dog, you’re probably all too familiar with that pain, so it’s impossible not to relate.
There are not too many people in this world that I truly idolize but, Tia Torres is one of the them. Life spent rescuing animals is hard, I’ve dabbled in it myself, no where near the size that Tia has. While rewarding, at times it can be absolutely soul crushing. You have to look the worst of humanity in the eye, not engage to the best of your ability and just get the poor, tortured animal the fuck out of dodge. It’s a hard thing to dedicate your life to. Animal rescue workers are more prone to depression and suicide, and it’s understandable.
I hope to see more memoirs from Tia Torres or anyone on her rescue crew. It helps bring more people into the rescue fold, even if it’s adopting instead of shopping, every changed mind is progress and we still have a long ways to go.
My one complaint, and I don’t think I’ve said this since I was little, is that there are no pictures! I mean, I want one million dog pictures, but if there could have just have been ten or so, that would have been great. I loved hearing about these amazing dogs but I would have also really liked to see their cute little faces.
January 17, 2019
A book filled with heartwarming and heart wrenching stories. My hat is off to those that devote their lives to rescuing ,and rehabilitating those without a voice. Great read,would recommend the book and her show on Animal Planet "Pit bulls and Parolees"
January 20, 2025
I don’t know if there has been a book that has made me laugh and cry as much. It definitely is one that I am happy to add to my ‘dogs-favorite-books’ shelf. Although books around dog rescue seem to have an easier time being good enough to get there, this book shines more with getting to know the author and a selection of her dogs than the rescue aspects I have seen in other books.
I had not watched her show ‘Pit Bulls and Parolees’ prior to reading the book, but since then have watched a couple of episodes and plan on watching more. The book and the show are great companions for each other.
She founded Villalobos Rescue center. First for wolf and wolf hybrid dogs, then with a focus on pit bulls. She started out in Southern California and I am sure she is very glad she made the choice to move to Louisiana. Here is a bit that points to the difficulties of the California location made more impactful as the current fires in CA including ones that burned down the Pacific Palisades still not fully under control:
‘We soon became the largest Pit Bull rescue in the country and maybe even the world, but life in the desert was becoming impossible. The hurricane-force Santa Ana winds were wreaking havoc on a nightly basis, ripping off roofs, destroying kennels, and setting off wildfires all around us, On top of that, the Golden State’s economy was going down the toilet. Donations had pretty much dried up, even as our dog population grew unabated. It was starting to feel like a war, with me and my kids on one side and Mother Nature on the other—and she was winning.’
In the book she talks about how she got into training animals for motion pictures and television. At one point she goes to Amsterdam and brings her pit bull. There she learns it is illegal to have a ‘Peet bool.’
‘So there we were, standing on the sidewalk of a city in which prostitution was legal and you could sit down in a coffee shop and order hashish from a menu ... yet we were about to go to jail for having the “wrong” dog.’
I know there is a lot of people who don’t like to read dog books where Kleenex is needed at the end of the book. I am thinking those people also wouldn’t be too fond when it is needed at the end of most chapters. I strongly recommend people to get over that eversion in order to enjoy getting to know details of some wonderful dogs life. You also can grow so much from having a relationship with a great dog. Here the author talks about what she gained from one of her first dogs:
‘In 2005, Tatanka lost her battle with cancer, unaware of her own greatness, the minds she changed, and the hearts she won. Without her, I would never have known what it feels like to bond with the greatest breed of dog in America. People call me a hero all the time, but the truth is that Tatanka—the buffalo, the bear, the chunky monkey—is the heroic one. Without her, there would be no Villalobos Rescue Center and certainly no Pit Bulls e Parolees. To her, | bow down with respect for one last ear washing.’
As in a lot of rescue books, always sad to read of the poor condidition of some dogs that are picked up, but always great to hear how the dogs are so stoic and don’t seem to give up on us. Here is a bit to show some of that:
‘L.A. came “pre-named,” somewhat unoriginally, fit the city we both called home. When I first laid eyes on him, his tired body was blood soaked, and his ears ripped to pieces. I could see patches of white hair here and there, but it was impossible to determine his true color.
During the drive home, every time I turned my head back to check on him, he’d give me a slow wag of the tail as our eyes met, as if to say, “You don’t need to worry... I'll be okay.”’
Some of my favorite parts of the book was on her dogs working in movies. I never get tired of hearing what dogs are able to do. The can be trained to do so much, especially with enough practice to do what has been previously been asked for them to be trained to do, but then directors can want more while filming-
‘“Okay ... I have another idea,” he said. “I want the same basic scenario, but this time I want the dog to take Jake’s jacket off by the sleeve and drag it down the hallway, around the corner, and into the bathroom.” He said this as if he were asking a stagehand for a glass of water. Like it was the simplest request in the world.’
Of course with Pit Bulls and guard type dogs, they are often asked to look like killers, but then when the camera is off:
‘It never failed to astonish onlookers when Duke went from vicious killer to goofy puppy dog in a few split seconds.’
There is a lot of great and sometimes funny stuff talked about her dog Duke.
‘I'd come from a place of distrust. I learned early to believe only in myself and to never rely on anyone. Duke changed that in me. | leaned on him and knew that he would always keep me safe. He put my feelings before his own. He knew what I was thinking before I did. He possessed the one attribute I’d never expected to find in anyone, man or animal: absolute loyalty. Duke was one of a kind, and there will never be another that will even come close to his greatness.’
I would have liked it if there was more on training dogs for the movies, but I did found it interesting when she tells us one thing that is hard to make some dogs do. This chapter is one of my favorites. She is working with Jennifer Lopez who was working on a music video that recreated scenes from the movie Flashdance. I had forgotten about the red pit pull in Flashdance. So, they needed another one for the music video. Tia trains Duke to be ready for the part and mentions the hard part of training dogs for movies here:
‘I knew Duke could easily pull off the task of running alongside a bicycle, but there were also a lot of long “Sit!”s and “Stay!”s while the action went on. To an outsider, that might sound easy enough—but the truth is, getting a dog to just do nothing can be the trickiest thing of all. That’s especially true when a bunch of crew members are moving equipment around, actors are dancing and singing . . . you get the idea. Give me “Jump over that wall!” or “Hit that fence!” any day over “Stay!”’
So, Tia is ready with Duke but happened to have another rescue Pit Bull named Moose in the car that wasn’t so well trained. When J.Lo comes to the car she meets Moose first and that is what she wants in the shoot. Lots of great stuff in this story. Too bad the dog isn’t seen more in the music video. I had not seen it before, but I would suggest you look up the music video for ‘I’m Glad’ to see the end product (especially if you are a Flashdance fan like I am.)
Unfortunately, every great dog’s time with us will end, and all of us who have owned dogs in the past feel the pain when a call to the vet doesn’t have good news. Love the way the author expresses her experience:
‘Right then, the vet tech brought Duke out, In my fantasy of the moment, I'd hoped he would race over to me, knock me to the ground, and tell me in his own way, “They got it all wrong, baby!” Instead, he sauntered over slowly, head hanging low. As I bent down to greet him, he nuzzled my face as if to say, “It ain’t good, baby, it just ain't good.”’
There are lots of chapters where you get to know great dogs. The back cover of the book lists them; Tatanka, L.A, Duke, Moose, Junkyard Joe, Monster, Lucky, Blue, and Taz. All are great dogs but that didn’t mean they were all well behaved. They still are dogs and can succumb to temptation:
‘If you're a dog person, I'm sure you can relate to this particular recipe for disaster. We all keep dog stuff around: treats in the glove compartment, a leash in the purse, a tennis ball up on a shelf next to the stapler and extra office supplies. Okay, well that one was pretty dumb. I swear, I don't even remember putting it there—but apparently, I had. I put a bright neon-green ball of temptation on a high shelf where could see it but couldn't reach it.’
You have to be careful what you leave around Junkyard Joe:
‘Joe’s addiction became such a problem that | couldn't leave him alone for even a little while, for fear of what mayhem I’d find when I returned. In his world, there was a tennis ball around every corner, inside every wall, behind every piece of furniture, and at the bottom of every trash can—and he couldn’t rest until he’d ferreted it out.’
Lots of great stuff in the book. When I come across a part I like, I put in a post-it note to be able to go back and pull it out later. Here is a few more that relate to how great her family is:
‘There was the time that a movje animal training facility got shut down and I temporarily took in some of their animals. The little red fox was so afraid that I put her in Mariah’s room. Then the two very talkative Macaw parrots and five-foot-long (with tail) iguana went into Tania’s room. And let’s not forget the (pretty intimidating) badger who was housed with Kanani. I still remembered the very surprised—and, okay, shocked—screams from my children when they came home from school and found their unexpected guests.’
And during Christmas:
‘And like most kids, mine had parties to attend, friends to whom to deliver presents, and last-minute wrapping to do. But unlike most kids... mine still held on to responsibilities within the rescue. They got up every morning at the crack of dawn to feed the 150 dogs, clean kennels, and do various ranch duties that mandated our survival as a nonprofit dog rescue. And true to tradition, they also knew the Dog Rescue Christmas Rule: No one was allowed to open presents until dog duties were completed. It was something my stepmom had taught me growing up, and I passed that tradition on to my kids as well.’
I have only read 664 dog books so far at this moment in time, but this is a book I would definitely nominate for one of the best dog books of all time. The book would make a great gift to give to a pit bull friend. Even better, look up Villalobos Rescue Center and make a financial gift to all the great dogs in her care.
I had not watched her show ‘Pit Bulls and Parolees’ prior to reading the book, but since then have watched a couple of episodes and plan on watching more. The book and the show are great companions for each other.
She founded Villalobos Rescue center. First for wolf and wolf hybrid dogs, then with a focus on pit bulls. She started out in Southern California and I am sure she is very glad she made the choice to move to Louisiana. Here is a bit that points to the difficulties of the California location made more impactful as the current fires in CA including ones that burned down the Pacific Palisades still not fully under control:
‘We soon became the largest Pit Bull rescue in the country and maybe even the world, but life in the desert was becoming impossible. The hurricane-force Santa Ana winds were wreaking havoc on a nightly basis, ripping off roofs, destroying kennels, and setting off wildfires all around us, On top of that, the Golden State’s economy was going down the toilet. Donations had pretty much dried up, even as our dog population grew unabated. It was starting to feel like a war, with me and my kids on one side and Mother Nature on the other—and she was winning.’
In the book she talks about how she got into training animals for motion pictures and television. At one point she goes to Amsterdam and brings her pit bull. There she learns it is illegal to have a ‘Peet bool.’
‘So there we were, standing on the sidewalk of a city in which prostitution was legal and you could sit down in a coffee shop and order hashish from a menu ... yet we were about to go to jail for having the “wrong” dog.’
I know there is a lot of people who don’t like to read dog books where Kleenex is needed at the end of the book. I am thinking those people also wouldn’t be too fond when it is needed at the end of most chapters. I strongly recommend people to get over that eversion in order to enjoy getting to know details of some wonderful dogs life. You also can grow so much from having a relationship with a great dog. Here the author talks about what she gained from one of her first dogs:
‘In 2005, Tatanka lost her battle with cancer, unaware of her own greatness, the minds she changed, and the hearts she won. Without her, I would never have known what it feels like to bond with the greatest breed of dog in America. People call me a hero all the time, but the truth is that Tatanka—the buffalo, the bear, the chunky monkey—is the heroic one. Without her, there would be no Villalobos Rescue Center and certainly no Pit Bulls e Parolees. To her, | bow down with respect for one last ear washing.’
As in a lot of rescue books, always sad to read of the poor condidition of some dogs that are picked up, but always great to hear how the dogs are so stoic and don’t seem to give up on us. Here is a bit to show some of that:
‘L.A. came “pre-named,” somewhat unoriginally, fit the city we both called home. When I first laid eyes on him, his tired body was blood soaked, and his ears ripped to pieces. I could see patches of white hair here and there, but it was impossible to determine his true color.
During the drive home, every time I turned my head back to check on him, he’d give me a slow wag of the tail as our eyes met, as if to say, “You don’t need to worry... I'll be okay.”’
Some of my favorite parts of the book was on her dogs working in movies. I never get tired of hearing what dogs are able to do. The can be trained to do so much, especially with enough practice to do what has been previously been asked for them to be trained to do, but then directors can want more while filming-
‘“Okay ... I have another idea,” he said. “I want the same basic scenario, but this time I want the dog to take Jake’s jacket off by the sleeve and drag it down the hallway, around the corner, and into the bathroom.” He said this as if he were asking a stagehand for a glass of water. Like it was the simplest request in the world.’
Of course with Pit Bulls and guard type dogs, they are often asked to look like killers, but then when the camera is off:
‘It never failed to astonish onlookers when Duke went from vicious killer to goofy puppy dog in a few split seconds.’
There is a lot of great and sometimes funny stuff talked about her dog Duke.
‘I'd come from a place of distrust. I learned early to believe only in myself and to never rely on anyone. Duke changed that in me. | leaned on him and knew that he would always keep me safe. He put my feelings before his own. He knew what I was thinking before I did. He possessed the one attribute I’d never expected to find in anyone, man or animal: absolute loyalty. Duke was one of a kind, and there will never be another that will even come close to his greatness.’
I would have liked it if there was more on training dogs for the movies, but I did found it interesting when she tells us one thing that is hard to make some dogs do. This chapter is one of my favorites. She is working with Jennifer Lopez who was working on a music video that recreated scenes from the movie Flashdance. I had forgotten about the red pit pull in Flashdance. So, they needed another one for the music video. Tia trains Duke to be ready for the part and mentions the hard part of training dogs for movies here:
‘I knew Duke could easily pull off the task of running alongside a bicycle, but there were also a lot of long “Sit!”s and “Stay!”s while the action went on. To an outsider, that might sound easy enough—but the truth is, getting a dog to just do nothing can be the trickiest thing of all. That’s especially true when a bunch of crew members are moving equipment around, actors are dancing and singing . . . you get the idea. Give me “Jump over that wall!” or “Hit that fence!” any day over “Stay!”’
So, Tia is ready with Duke but happened to have another rescue Pit Bull named Moose in the car that wasn’t so well trained. When J.Lo comes to the car she meets Moose first and that is what she wants in the shoot. Lots of great stuff in this story. Too bad the dog isn’t seen more in the music video. I had not seen it before, but I would suggest you look up the music video for ‘I’m Glad’ to see the end product (especially if you are a Flashdance fan like I am.)
Unfortunately, every great dog’s time with us will end, and all of us who have owned dogs in the past feel the pain when a call to the vet doesn’t have good news. Love the way the author expresses her experience:
‘Right then, the vet tech brought Duke out, In my fantasy of the moment, I'd hoped he would race over to me, knock me to the ground, and tell me in his own way, “They got it all wrong, baby!” Instead, he sauntered over slowly, head hanging low. As I bent down to greet him, he nuzzled my face as if to say, “It ain’t good, baby, it just ain't good.”’
There are lots of chapters where you get to know great dogs. The back cover of the book lists them; Tatanka, L.A, Duke, Moose, Junkyard Joe, Monster, Lucky, Blue, and Taz. All are great dogs but that didn’t mean they were all well behaved. They still are dogs and can succumb to temptation:
‘If you're a dog person, I'm sure you can relate to this particular recipe for disaster. We all keep dog stuff around: treats in the glove compartment, a leash in the purse, a tennis ball up on a shelf next to the stapler and extra office supplies. Okay, well that one was pretty dumb. I swear, I don't even remember putting it there—but apparently, I had. I put a bright neon-green ball of temptation on a high shelf where could see it but couldn't reach it.’
You have to be careful what you leave around Junkyard Joe:
‘Joe’s addiction became such a problem that | couldn't leave him alone for even a little while, for fear of what mayhem I’d find when I returned. In his world, there was a tennis ball around every corner, inside every wall, behind every piece of furniture, and at the bottom of every trash can—and he couldn’t rest until he’d ferreted it out.’
Lots of great stuff in the book. When I come across a part I like, I put in a post-it note to be able to go back and pull it out later. Here is a few more that relate to how great her family is:
‘There was the time that a movje animal training facility got shut down and I temporarily took in some of their animals. The little red fox was so afraid that I put her in Mariah’s room. Then the two very talkative Macaw parrots and five-foot-long (with tail) iguana went into Tania’s room. And let’s not forget the (pretty intimidating) badger who was housed with Kanani. I still remembered the very surprised—and, okay, shocked—screams from my children when they came home from school and found their unexpected guests.’
And during Christmas:
‘And like most kids, mine had parties to attend, friends to whom to deliver presents, and last-minute wrapping to do. But unlike most kids... mine still held on to responsibilities within the rescue. They got up every morning at the crack of dawn to feed the 150 dogs, clean kennels, and do various ranch duties that mandated our survival as a nonprofit dog rescue. And true to tradition, they also knew the Dog Rescue Christmas Rule: No one was allowed to open presents until dog duties were completed. It was something my stepmom had taught me growing up, and I passed that tradition on to my kids as well.’
I have only read 664 dog books so far at this moment in time, but this is a book I would definitely nominate for one of the best dog books of all time. The book would make a great gift to give to a pit bull friend. Even better, look up Villalobos Rescue Center and make a financial gift to all the great dogs in her care.
January 21, 2019
I had trouble figuring out which book I wanted to read next last night, so I decided to /start/ Tia's book this morning....and promptly finished it about four hours later.
I love this book for a lot of reasons. It's very reminiscent of Sy Montgomery's How To Be A Good Creature without the usual animal-memoir "I absolutely majored in writing first and animals second" elaborateness in prose. Tia is unflinchingly honest; that being said, she doesn't over-share. She doesn't whine and dwell on the negatives, she presents facts, and stories, and gives us the opportunity to be intimate with her without crossing her personal boundaries. Reading this felt like a four hour conversation with a good friend - I felt like I really got to /know/ Tia in a way sharing in her rescues didn't let me.
Un-objectively, I am undeniably consoled by the hardships and the emotional difficulties others face. Tia admitting that she has low points made me feel like I wasn't alone in a truly personal way. As long as she'll write, I'll read. As long as Villalobos exists, I'll be here to support them.
I love this book for a lot of reasons. It's very reminiscent of Sy Montgomery's How To Be A Good Creature without the usual animal-memoir "I absolutely majored in writing first and animals second" elaborateness in prose. Tia is unflinchingly honest; that being said, she doesn't over-share. She doesn't whine and dwell on the negatives, she presents facts, and stories, and gives us the opportunity to be intimate with her without crossing her personal boundaries. Reading this felt like a four hour conversation with a good friend - I felt like I really got to /know/ Tia in a way sharing in her rescues didn't let me.
Un-objectively, I am undeniably consoled by the hardships and the emotional difficulties others face. Tia admitting that she has low points made me feel like I wasn't alone in a truly personal way. As long as she'll write, I'll read. As long as Villalobos exists, I'll be here to support them.
February 2, 2019
This memoir has lots of ups and downs, but such a great read. Tia and pit bulls are an inspiration to me! I hope she writes another book.
February 15, 2024
Absolutely loved this book. Anything about animals is my thing. I love the show. I follow the author on social media. I hope she writes another book about more dogs.
February 7, 2019
The amount of times I cried 😭😭😭 I really enjoyed this book, from the colorful stories of some really sweet Pits, to even the horrors of humanity that make innocent animals suffer, it was a good and emotional read. As a lover of Pits and owner of one really really good boy myself, the amount of fear and injustice there is when it comes to these beautiful angels is still unreal.
January 16, 2019
An emotional read
Tia is an amazing person. This book was so emotional for me. I felt like Tia was sitting down with me telling stories of some of her favorite dogs. Her love for her children. And the dogs. Her passion for what she does shines through every single word. I literally cried and had to stop and breath after each chapter. One of the best job fiction books i have ever read.
Tia is an amazing person. This book was so emotional for me. I felt like Tia was sitting down with me telling stories of some of her favorite dogs. Her love for her children. And the dogs. Her passion for what she does shines through every single word. I literally cried and had to stop and breath after each chapter. One of the best job fiction books i have ever read.
January 26, 2019
I think it's fair to say Tia Torres, founder and head of Villalobos Rescue Center, has lived a varied and interesting life. She has, especially, known a lot of wonderful, challenging, and interesting dogs.
She tells her story organized around those dogs--Cougar, Duke, Moose, Lucky, and others, in California and in Louisiana. The rescue started as a wolf and wolf mix rescue, and the shift to pit bulls was gradual and almost accidental. Working with wolves and, as a trainer for the entertainment industry, with a variety of large and dangerous animals, she developed a confidence and an awareness of body language that helped her both to work with dogs, and to establish her reputation with the rescue community.
Her more chaotic and unreliable relationships with her fellow human beings also helped to focus her attentions and efforts on dogs.
Torres is a great storyteller, and in both the writing and the reading she makes her experiences compelling and absorbing. Yet she's also a very private person, and there are a lot of things I'd be interested to know more about, that she simply passes over. She respects her own privacy, and doesn't share what she doesn't want to share. Nor is she overly concerned about linear storytelling. Each of the chapters is orderly in itself, but the arrangement of them is more a flowing from theme to theme, than starting at the beginning of her story and continuing on to the present time. Sometimes this means we get two different perspectives on the same incident, how it seemed at the time, and how it seemed later, after more reflection and/or more information.
Because this is a book about Tia Torres' lifetime in animal rescue, it unavoidably involves some dogs, some dogs very important to her and to her four children, dying. There's no avoiding it in telling her story properly, but for some people, who would otherwise love the book, that will be a deal-breaker. That's unfortunate, but neither do I want to trick anyone into starting a book that they won't be able to enjoy and finish.
It's an excellent book, though, and highly recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
She tells her story organized around those dogs--Cougar, Duke, Moose, Lucky, and others, in California and in Louisiana. The rescue started as a wolf and wolf mix rescue, and the shift to pit bulls was gradual and almost accidental. Working with wolves and, as a trainer for the entertainment industry, with a variety of large and dangerous animals, she developed a confidence and an awareness of body language that helped her both to work with dogs, and to establish her reputation with the rescue community.
Her more chaotic and unreliable relationships with her fellow human beings also helped to focus her attentions and efforts on dogs.
Torres is a great storyteller, and in both the writing and the reading she makes her experiences compelling and absorbing. Yet she's also a very private person, and there are a lot of things I'd be interested to know more about, that she simply passes over. She respects her own privacy, and doesn't share what she doesn't want to share. Nor is she overly concerned about linear storytelling. Each of the chapters is orderly in itself, but the arrangement of them is more a flowing from theme to theme, than starting at the beginning of her story and continuing on to the present time. Sometimes this means we get two different perspectives on the same incident, how it seemed at the time, and how it seemed later, after more reflection and/or more information.
Because this is a book about Tia Torres' lifetime in animal rescue, it unavoidably involves some dogs, some dogs very important to her and to her four children, dying. There's no avoiding it in telling her story properly, but for some people, who would otherwise love the book, that will be a deal-breaker. That's unfortunate, but neither do I want to trick anyone into starting a book that they won't be able to enjoy and finish.
It's an excellent book, though, and highly recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
January 20, 2019
This book is a must read for anyone who loves animals and especially those working in various rescue groups. It is heartwarming and tear producing, and you will be inspired in the reading of Tia's stories. The only recommendation is that she write another one or 10 as we would love to read more stories of her life with her dog and human family. I highly recommend this book because you will not be bored as her writing is spot-on, and your spirit will be uplifted hearing about her life and her hardships along the way. Her main theme in her book and her life is never let life get you down where you feel helpless. Fall down, get up and do it all again and again until you get it right. Thank You Tia Torres for being such a shining example for us all.
March 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this.
I love the show Pitbulls & Parolees. Reading these in depth stories about all of these amazing animals they mention or introduce on the show was so amazing.
Tia has lived one of those very FULL lives that literally sound like something out of a book or a movie. I LOVE getting to know people on a more personal level like that. She is so cool and so down to earth and I just love her.
Thanks for sharing all of these stories with us. As if you guys didn’t show the world enough of your personal life... it was such a great read & I appreciate it.
I love the show Pitbulls & Parolees. Reading these in depth stories about all of these amazing animals they mention or introduce on the show was so amazing.
Tia has lived one of those very FULL lives that literally sound like something out of a book or a movie. I LOVE getting to know people on a more personal level like that. She is so cool and so down to earth and I just love her.
Thanks for sharing all of these stories with us. As if you guys didn’t show the world enough of your personal life... it was such a great read & I appreciate it.
March 19, 2019
Tia’s story is amazing. The memoir was authentically her. The language used and the stories told were what you would expect- inspiring, heartbreaking, and raw. I have been a long time fan of her show which sheds a positive and honest light on a breed that is dear to my heart. However, I have always been a huge fan of Tia in general. Her no BS attitude and her love for dogs makes her such a bada**. Highly recommend if you love her or the show.
January 10, 2020
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it was so good! Each chapter was a story about the individual dogs that meant the most to Tia or her family members, all the while explaining Tia's upbringing, previous work experiences, and the rescue. I have a lot of respect for her and feel she would have gotten along really well with my mom, which gives her even more points. It made me cry at least 3 times... very heartwarming storytelling!
January 29, 2019
Put Bulls and family.
I !over this book. Tia did a great job of blending dog stories and family. These were great. Some I seen on the show as I am a big fan of it but some more in depth stories about her family and how these wonderful animals helped them were super. I am a big wolf lover so learning how she started with wolves was also interesting.
I !over this book. Tia did a great job of blending dog stories and family. These were great. Some I seen on the show as I am a big fan of it but some more in depth stories about her family and how these wonderful animals helped them were super. I am a big wolf lover so learning how she started with wolves was also interesting.
February 2, 2019
What a beautiful person and a great writer. Tia Torres is one of my heroes. I love this lady and everything she stands for. The only thing lacking in this book are pictures of the beautiful creatures. I absolutely loved the end of chapter Moe and Monster. This chapter and Mariah and LA had me in tears. Wonderfully written. Please write more Tia. Most excellent show too. BRAVO!
February 23, 2019
Book #14 Read in 2019
My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torries
I love the show Pit Bulls and Parolees. Tia is the founder of that organization and this book focuses on a special dog of hers in each chapter. Details of her life are disclosed through the dog stories but I would have liked to know more background. Overall, a must read of pit bull lovers.
My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torries
I love the show Pit Bulls and Parolees. Tia is the founder of that organization and this book focuses on a special dog of hers in each chapter. Details of her life are disclosed through the dog stories but I would have liked to know more background. Overall, a must read of pit bull lovers.
February 14, 2019
As a life long pit bull advocate myself, the memoir really hits home. I'm dreading the day I loose my brindle pittie, Chance. This book is filled with so much heartache and love it is by far the best book I've ever read.
January 23, 2019
Read my full review: https://bit.ly/2RGrSNn
My opinion: I knew this was going to be a great book and Ms. Torres did not disappoint. She selected stories to make one laugh in one chapter and cry in the next. Stories were written with vividness to bring the reader into the story.
So, why the 5 stars versus a 10/5 stars that this book EASILY could have achieved? Ms. Torres took the time for us to get to know these dogs and to love them. For some reason, pictures of the dogs were not included in the book to seal the deal on that experience. Anyone who has watched the show since the beginning got to know Lucky, Bluie and, I believe, Monster. I would have loved to have seen the other dogs. To me, it would have made reader experience complete. I can't believe with the importance of these dogs in the lives of her family there would not be a ton of pictures to select from.
Ms. Torres has gone above and beyond to show her talent as a writer. I really hope that this is seen as a stepping stone for more books on dogs from the rescue. I would LOVE to know the story behind her crazy hound Jethro and to use this platform to continue to be the spokeswoman for destroying the bias and bigotry against such a majestic and loving breed of dog as the Pit Bull. I have to say that I have a really strong suspicion she could write some killer fiction too.
My opinion: I knew this was going to be a great book and Ms. Torres did not disappoint. She selected stories to make one laugh in one chapter and cry in the next. Stories were written with vividness to bring the reader into the story.
So, why the 5 stars versus a 10/5 stars that this book EASILY could have achieved? Ms. Torres took the time for us to get to know these dogs and to love them. For some reason, pictures of the dogs were not included in the book to seal the deal on that experience. Anyone who has watched the show since the beginning got to know Lucky, Bluie and, I believe, Monster. I would have loved to have seen the other dogs. To me, it would have made reader experience complete. I can't believe with the importance of these dogs in the lives of her family there would not be a ton of pictures to select from.
Ms. Torres has gone above and beyond to show her talent as a writer. I really hope that this is seen as a stepping stone for more books on dogs from the rescue. I would LOVE to know the story behind her crazy hound Jethro and to use this platform to continue to be the spokeswoman for destroying the bias and bigotry against such a majestic and loving breed of dog as the Pit Bull. I have to say that I have a really strong suspicion she could write some killer fiction too.
March 18, 2019
This was a very quick read. It was a moderately interesting and not badly written life story. I will admit that the author lost me very early when she said, while talking about her experience with wolf hybrid rescue: "The more time I spent around them" (wolves) "the more I became one of them." At first I thought she was speaking metaphorically, but no, as the book progressed I realized that she actually believes she is supposedly part wolf in real life. Um, no, you're not. That caused me to read the rest of her writing with skepticism. I don't think there's any denying she's a little crazy, and it sounds like her kids are too, and not in a good way, but in a way I would avoid as much as possible.
I will make another admission, and that is that I don't like pit bulls. It's sort of because I associate them with poverty and drugs, and sort of because I don't like the fact that they are as enthusiastic as Labs but with that ugly short coat and that big, mean-looking face. I would never say that there aren't some good pit bulls, I would just say that, in the balance, that type of dog is more trouble than it's worth. So I am indifferent to the fate of bully dogs. Someone who has stronger feelings about pit bulls may have stronger, better feelings about this book too.
I will make another admission, and that is that I don't like pit bulls. It's sort of because I associate them with poverty and drugs, and sort of because I don't like the fact that they are as enthusiastic as Labs but with that ugly short coat and that big, mean-looking face. I would never say that there aren't some good pit bulls, I would just say that, in the balance, that type of dog is more trouble than it's worth. So I am indifferent to the fate of bully dogs. Someone who has stronger feelings about pit bulls may have stronger, better feelings about this book too.
April 14, 2019
I love pit bulls. They are loving, smart, goofy and the most maligned of dog breeds. It is a love of wolves and dogs that led Tia Torres to devote her life to rescuing and re-homing pit bulls. Much of her work is documented on the TV series, Pit Bulls and Parolees. This book, however, is a much more intimate look at her life and the dogs that have had the greatest impact on her. Her portrayal of the dogs is delightful. They people her life with as much significance as any human. She considers herself a badass (which I truly believe she is) but her tenderness and vulnerability come through loud and clear in this memoir. If you have not watched her show (which I do faithfully) I strongly recommend it. You will meet her wonderful family as well as the dogs they love.
February 9, 2019
Savior of the Underdogs
Great book. The real story of a woman whom raised a family of four on her own. The struggles and sacrifice that were made to look out for countless number of animals, including pit bulls. How many of us would have the stamina it took for Tia to raise four children and to have to beg for food and never give up on her rescue dogs as well. Her fighting spirit and the dogs who brought happiness to her and her family will put a lot more emphasis " on a man's / woman's best friend " Being the owner of three pit bulls that show their unconditional love and loyalty makes me sad that a great percentage of humans lack those qualities.
Great book. The real story of a woman whom raised a family of four on her own. The struggles and sacrifice that were made to look out for countless number of animals, including pit bulls. How many of us would have the stamina it took for Tia to raise four children and to have to beg for food and never give up on her rescue dogs as well. Her fighting spirit and the dogs who brought happiness to her and her family will put a lot more emphasis " on a man's / woman's best friend " Being the owner of three pit bulls that show their unconditional love and loyalty makes me sad that a great percentage of humans lack those qualities.
January 30, 2019
Tia is my hero
Yes, we followers of "Pit bulls and Parolees" share a loyalty to Tia and her kids in that we claim to "know" them. Reading about the underdogs of her life has enriched my feelings knowing that she is as tough as her courageous dogs she has loved despite the unfavorable attitude common to her pit bulls' personalities. Her authenticity moves me along with her commitment to be the hero, although not wanting the title. I loved her stories, her truths, and her honesty.
Yes, we followers of "Pit bulls and Parolees" share a loyalty to Tia and her kids in that we claim to "know" them. Reading about the underdogs of her life has enriched my feelings knowing that she is as tough as her courageous dogs she has loved despite the unfavorable attitude common to her pit bulls' personalities. Her authenticity moves me along with her commitment to be the hero, although not wanting the title. I loved her stories, her truths, and her honesty.
February 12, 2019
This book was everything I hoped it would be plus some. Each chapter tells the story of a specific Pit Bull that has touched Tia's heart in some way. Bits and pieces of Tia's past are told with each story as well. Being a longtime fan of the show, I loved reading about the things that Tia has accomplished, adventures she's been on, and even the hard times that she's endured over the years. It is clear that she gives everything to her four-legged friends. I hope this book changes some attitudes about the breed. They are truly special and deserve better than the reputation they've been given.
January 23, 2019
My Life Among the Underdogs
After having never missed an episode of "Pitbulls and Parolees", I was anxious to get my hands on this book. Tia Torres could not have done a better job of writing this wonderful description of her and her family's life rescuing Pitt Bulls. As well as telling it as it is in their lives, it played on my every emotion. I laughed, I cried, I felt anger and joy while reading my way through this truth.
After having never missed an episode of "Pitbulls and Parolees", I was anxious to get my hands on this book. Tia Torres could not have done a better job of writing this wonderful description of her and her family's life rescuing Pitt Bulls. As well as telling it as it is in their lives, it played on my every emotion. I laughed, I cried, I felt anger and joy while reading my way through this truth.
March 15, 2019
My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torres is a memoir about Tia's life and all the great dogs that have been part of it! This woman has been blessed. Each dog has its own chapter and are all different. It is a short book, but the story is told very well! I wish she would have included pictures of the dogs, but that is the only criticism I have. If you love dogs, you will find this hard to put down.
(Gerard's review)
(Gerard's review)
August 18, 2020
I have such admiration for Tia and her family for the rescue work they do with dogs. Each chapter of this book deeply touched me and I fell in love with each dog she talked about. I am sitting here in tears thinking of all the dogs, their bravery and the sacrificial love and care they receive by Tia, her family and the people who work at the rescue center. A beautiful, heartwarming and at times heart breaking book all dog lovers need to read. highly recommend!
January 22, 2019
Tears and laughter
Wow,this was a wonderful book. I waited for a year to get it and finished within a few days. Tia is a great writer and I thank her for sharing your stories. I laughed and I cried a lot. I wish there were pictures of the dogs, though. Highly recommend this book.
Wow,this was a wonderful book. I waited for a year to get it and finished within a few days. Tia is a great writer and I thank her for sharing your stories. I laughed and I cried a lot. I wish there were pictures of the dogs, though. Highly recommend this book.
January 27, 2019
Tia does what some of us only dream about .
I've been in your family since the very beginning. I love the show. The book has given us a glimpse into the the family's dynamics. Those who have shared some of the experiences could easily read between the lines. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes to your family and the fur babies.
I've been in your family since the very beginning. I love the show. The book has given us a glimpse into the the family's dynamics. Those who have shared some of the experiences could easily read between the lines. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes to your family and the fur babies.
September 22, 2019
Great biography. If you are a fan of The Animal Planet show Pitbulls and Parolees you will really enjoy this e-book. The only thing missing is pictures. I hope they will do an update with pictures it really leaves a bit of a hole in the story. I also bought the audible version with the kindle e-book it is fantastic. Tia Torres narrates it and she does a fantastic job. Well worth buying.
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