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Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row
The day Randy Grim got a phone call from a St. Louis animal shelter worker pleading with him to take yet another unwanted dog to his no-kill shelter, he had no idea that the dog would change his entire life. The dog had survived a horrifying procedure still practiced in some animal "euthanasia" by carbon monoxide gas poisoning. The account of Quentin's ordeal and the crusades Grim and Quentin have undertaken on behalf of abandoned animals is sobering, hilarious, and ultimately uplifting. Grim and Quentin have appeared on numerous television shows including Today Show, Animal Planet, It's a Miracle, CNN, MSNBC, CBS News, CBS Early Show, Access Hollywood and in People Magazine, National Geographic, Forbes and Guideposts.
- GenresAnimalsNonfictionDogs
119 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 14, 2008
Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row is the heart warming story of Quentin and his guardian Randy Grim. Quentin is a very unique dog for a variety of reasons, perhaps surprisingly the least of which is that he miraculously survived fifteen minutes in the gas chamber while watching his fellow inmates die. Quentin's crime: his family moved to a home that didn't allow pets.
Upon his reprieve, Quentin didn't choose to retire happily to a big backyard to dream about chasing rabbits. Instead, Quentin decided to become a spokesperson for all animals with the help of his guardian Randy Grim. Randy, as the president and founder of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, had always tried to do his part to protect and save animals where and when he could. However, as is so very common in such crusades, there were never enough funds for every helpful project or space to save every animal. That Randy hated the spotlight, made fundraising even more difficult. Quentin saw a true love, caring, respect, and passion for animals in Randy. Quentin also saw that, if pushed and prodded appropriately by just the right miracle dog, this man could help deliver Quentin's message that would save animals from the fate he almost shared with his cell mates in the gas chamber.
Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row reminds us of the importance of a respect for life. Far too often, we forget what our animal friends do for us on a daily basis: greeting us happily after a hard day at work, wanting our company regardless of our appearance or financial situation, and urging us to play when we start to take things too seriously. This book reminds us of this gift of unconditional love and affection. After reading this book, you will definitely feel the intense urge to run to your nearest animal shelter and become the guardian of a new animal. Just be sure to really think out your decision, spay or neuter your new addition, and always remember to love and respect your new friend as he or she will love and respect you.
Upon his reprieve, Quentin didn't choose to retire happily to a big backyard to dream about chasing rabbits. Instead, Quentin decided to become a spokesperson for all animals with the help of his guardian Randy Grim. Randy, as the president and founder of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, had always tried to do his part to protect and save animals where and when he could. However, as is so very common in such crusades, there were never enough funds for every helpful project or space to save every animal. That Randy hated the spotlight, made fundraising even more difficult. Quentin saw a true love, caring, respect, and passion for animals in Randy. Quentin also saw that, if pushed and prodded appropriately by just the right miracle dog, this man could help deliver Quentin's message that would save animals from the fate he almost shared with his cell mates in the gas chamber.
Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row reminds us of the importance of a respect for life. Far too often, we forget what our animal friends do for us on a daily basis: greeting us happily after a hard day at work, wanting our company regardless of our appearance or financial situation, and urging us to play when we start to take things too seriously. This book reminds us of this gift of unconditional love and affection. After reading this book, you will definitely feel the intense urge to run to your nearest animal shelter and become the guardian of a new animal. Just be sure to really think out your decision, spay or neuter your new addition, and always remember to love and respect your new friend as he or she will love and respect you.
January 20, 2008
This was one of the best books ever! So incredibly sad but at the same time very hopeful. If you love animals and have your own, especially rescues, you will love this book. I gotta tell you though, I cried through just about the entire thing. But it inspired me to volunteer at an animal shelter every saturday.
July 13, 2018
A book every person should read. Heart breaking yet informative and uplifting.
January 15, 2025
“Government shelters are run for public health reasons, meaning that they don't have a mandate to find good homes - or any homes - for the animals they take in. They just have to get rid of them. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. Most people don't want to know.”
“Mary Ellison remembers the scene vividly: Several dogs were placed in a chest freezer converted into a gas chamber. The lid, with a viewing window, was closed and the carbon monoxide in a tank next to the chamber was turned on. "There was a lot of barking, growling, crying, beating the door trying to get out" as they were poisoned, the animal control officer said.”
“Oh, my God!”
Rosemary Ficken’s facial expression says it all. Opening the door to the chamber, she sees Quentin, standing atop the mound of dead dogs, heavy eyes fixated on her.
Ficken is in a state of shock. Never in her fifteen years has any dog or cat survived and cheated death. She wonders if she should re-gas the stubborn canine, but she quickly recants that thought.”
“Workers who euthanize animals by injection or gas often report nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disorders, obsessive thinking and clinical depression.”
“In the end, this dog became a media sensation, yet why has one little dog who survived the gas chamber received all this attention, when millions of dogs are destroyed each year?”
Also, “The Enoch City council voted unanimously to use exhaust fumes from a pickup truck to kill stray dogs and cats. Twenty years ago, Enoch was gassing 450 animals a year.” Crazy Mormons.
“Mary Ellison remembers the scene vividly: Several dogs were placed in a chest freezer converted into a gas chamber. The lid, with a viewing window, was closed and the carbon monoxide in a tank next to the chamber was turned on. "There was a lot of barking, growling, crying, beating the door trying to get out" as they were poisoned, the animal control officer said.”
“Oh, my God!”
Rosemary Ficken’s facial expression says it all. Opening the door to the chamber, she sees Quentin, standing atop the mound of dead dogs, heavy eyes fixated on her.
Ficken is in a state of shock. Never in her fifteen years has any dog or cat survived and cheated death. She wonders if she should re-gas the stubborn canine, but she quickly recants that thought.”
“Workers who euthanize animals by injection or gas often report nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disorders, obsessive thinking and clinical depression.”
“In the end, this dog became a media sensation, yet why has one little dog who survived the gas chamber received all this attention, when millions of dogs are destroyed each year?”
Also, “The Enoch City council voted unanimously to use exhaust fumes from a pickup truck to kill stray dogs and cats. Twenty years ago, Enoch was gassing 450 animals a year.” Crazy Mormons.
May 4, 2009
A very hard look at the grim realities and consequences of our throw away society, especially in regards to our pets. Tissues required for this one. I recommend it, as it exemplifies the will to survive and the power to make a difference. Awesome!
September 14, 2008
Beautiful story of a very lucky dog and a very wonderful man who speaks for the forgotten ones.
Want to read
October 14, 2009Randy Grim is a bit of a local celebrity. I didn't know he had written books! Now they are on my MUST READ list!
August 29, 2012
Met both Randy and Quentin... a lovely pair!
February 4, 2013
really good book on animal rescue,what's wrong with the system and things that need to be done differently.
September 7, 2009
This book is SO good. If you love dogs or animals of any kind, read it!
June 21, 2012
Very sad makes you think about how you treat your pets.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews