Full Description
Rescue dogs provide above-and-beyond value to humans at our most vulnerable: when we experience deep depression and severe mental illness; searing trauma and gripping grief; debilitating drug addiction; and of course, strained relationships with our fellow humans.
Alternating between memoir and rescue dog owner profiles, this book intimately binds together shelter dogs, mental health and human relationships, exploring the tangible benefits these damaged dogs bring to us damaged humans. The author offers firsthand experience with each of the mental health themes and relationship issues covered herein and discusses how his beloved rescue dog--a battered mutt with an odd name and a heartbreaking backstory--substantially helped him cope with these challenges. Throughout, we find rescue dogs compelling their humans to be better people--to push forward through headwinds, persist despite setbacks, and build self-esteem through the estimable acts of feeding, sheltering and loving an innocent, mistreated being.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Partners in Grime: A Desperate Dog's Journey to His Humbled Human—and Vice Versa
2. Trauma: Seeing, I, Dog
3. Trauma: Two Birds with One Bone
4. Addiction: A Hopeless Drug Addict and a Doomed Dog Walk into a Bar...
5. Addiction: Johnny, Be Good
6. Mental Health: Guide, Dog
7. Mental Health: Rx Rescue
8. Marriage and Relationships: V for Victory
9. Marriage and Relationships: Yes We Canine
10. Parenthood: Doggie Bro-Bro
11. Parenthood: Foster/Mom
12. Grief: Good Grief
13. Grief: Ophelia (You're Breaking My Heart)
Epilogue: Vectorious
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
