Rescue Dogs

Where They Come From, Why They Act the Way They Do, and How to Love Them Well

By: Gene Stone, Pete Paxton

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

A fascinating look at rescue dogs - where they come from, why every dog lover should consider adopting one, and how to make them part of your family.

America's leading undercover animal investigator, Pete Paxton, has, among other exploits, infiltrated more than 700 puppy mills, worked undercover to close one of the largest and most infamous puppy mills in the United States, and shuttered the most notorious trafficker of dogs for experimentation in history. In this book, he shares stories of the amazing dogs he has rescued and brought to loving families, and also offers invaluable guidance and wisdom for anyone living with rescue dogs.

Far too many people think rescue dogs have irredeemable anxieties, behavior issues, or other problems. In truth, rescue dogs can - and do - become wonderful companions. This groundbreaking book will help listeners understand these dogs' unique ways of thinking, learning, and loving, and leaves no questions unanswered about the plight of dogs commercially bred in the United States - and what every dog lover can do about it.

©2019 Gene Stone and Pete Paxton (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"What is a rescue dog? And who does the rescuing? Pete Paxton and Gene Stone's book explains it all through moving stories of dogs and their people, the work done by animal organizations both large and small, and how each of us can play a part. Rescue Dogs is the perfect primer for anyone interested in the work of rehoming pets and the joy brought by dogs who help us define what it means to have a home." (Ken Foster, best-selling author of The Dogs Who Found Me)

“Thanks to undercover investigators like Pete, many more people now understand that despite the deceptive advertising in stores and on websites, puppies sold in pet stores and online usually come from puppy mills, where dogs are raised in miserable conditions solely to churn out puppies for an unsuspecting public. Pete’s tips on how to adopt a rescue dog and his advice for budding advocates will help inspire dog lovers to become part of the change until no more puppies are sold in pet stores and no more homeless dogs go without a family." (Kathleen Summers, director of outreach and research for the Humane Society of the United States’ puppy mill campaign)

“I don’t know the last time I’ve read a book as important as this one - you will leave this wonderfully well-written, totally engaging book with a powerful understanding about the way dogs are treated in this country - and what you can do it about it. Highly recommended!” (Kathy Freston, New York Times best-selling author and wellness activist)

Couldn't stop listening.

If you want to learn more about puppy Mills this is definitely the book for you. It was well written very informative and it gave you real accounts Along with proactive ways to help the puppies.

Excellent Book

This is an amazing book. I was hooked from the beginning. It really opens your eyes to so many levels of how animals can suffer. Yet also how wonderful animals are and the wonderful people out there who are trying to help the animals.

Profound and necessary

I couldn’t recommend this book more highly. The perfect balance of education, empathy, raw honesty, and encouragement for the future of rescue dogs adopters.

Wonderful book

I have been doing rescue work for over 40 years. I've seen the terrible abuse that is described in this book and hope that anyone who reads it will join in the fight to help these dogs that can't speak for themselves.

I have a T shirt that says it all. It has a picture of a puppy and under it, it says "I sit for you,will you stand up for me?" It says it all. We need to stand up and help man's best friend. All they ask is to be loved, food in their belly and someone to love them in return for all the love they will give and companionship.

Rescue Dogs

Awesome. As a person who worked in rescue I found this book eye opening. Puppy mills are horrendous. Lancaster Pa may be a center of puppy mills around the Amish but in New York State our beautiful Finger Lakes has now become a large area of Amish run puppy mills. We in the region are just sick over it and trying desperately to end this sooner than later. Too many unwanted animals in this country as it is.

eye opening

when i read the description of this book i never imagined i would be learning about such horrors of animal abuse. For an animal lover, especially of dogs, this book was very difficult to read. my heart broke at the stories and I cried many times for those animals that endure such pain and cannot be saved. Pete is one of many heroes. i could not have done what he did each and every day for years. if you are an animal lover, get involved. the book tells you how.

Not what I expected

This book is not what I expected it to be. I thought it was going to be a cutesy book about rescue dogs but it’s much more gritty and real with cutesy stories throughout. It’s well written and the reader was excellent in my opinion. Just be aware this book may unsettle you.

A fast read for anyone who loves dogs

I bought this thinking it would give me pointers on bringing home my shelter rescue / new dog.
It does do some of that but there’s a lot more to know about these dogs & how we can help. Some lovely stories of shelter dogs finding their forever homes.
It’s a short book & I recommend it!

Very Informative

I just found out that dogs from puppy mills are never allowed out of their small, cramped crates from the moment they are born until the day that they die. They live in their crates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the USDA uses our tax money to do so. I highly recommend read this book to help puppy mill dogs be let out even for a few hours a day!