I kept crying while reading each and every page of this book. Furthermore, I'm about the cry even while writing this review.

Although you feel like you are not getting what you expected _at first_ (i.e. actually getting to know the dogs and the cats), you will change your mind after 10 or so pages. This will be a traumatic change of mind...

This book is extremely moving, very emotional, and very traumatic. You will get into the (usually) very short lives of these animals, and when you finish reading, you _won't_ forget these heroes. The heroes of a consumer culture, killed just because they could not fit in (like "name unknown", a dog who was getting too stressed to attract potential adopters because of the shelter conditions ), or saved mostly out of luck (like Sox, a cat abandoned by his "family" because they felt they were getting too old).

As you read on, you'll be ashamed because you're a member of this (in)humane species. And hopefully, you will also be moved enough to actually _do_ something.

Why read this traumatic book: to see that love isn't all you need.

THIS BOOK HAS NEVER BEEN RECEIVED TO THE PRESENT AND WE HAVE LOST THE SALE!!!!!

As a former shelter worker, I can attest: Marilee Geyer and Diane Leigh have put together probably the best snapshot of life (and death) in a typical US animal shelter. The stories of these animals are at once moving, sweet, heart-breaking, anger-inspiring and joyful.

How we treat the animals in our lives is the clearest window into our souls. In unblinking, no-holds-barred prose, Geyer and Leigh tell the stories of these animals--forgotten, abused, abandoned--and the people who care for them.

If you're thinking of adopting an animal, buy this book. If you're thinking of buying a dog or cat rather than adopting from a shelter, buy this book first. If you're anyone who has ever shared your life with a companion animal, buy this book.

Loved this book. I think that this is a must-read for anybody working in a shelter or rescue situation. The only negative comment is that the people who really need to read the book are not going to read it. Working in the field, we see first-hand the changes that need to be made in our thoughts on animals. I wish that reading this book could be required before obtaining any animal. I will say that I cried during parts of the book.

This book had me in tears after just several pages. When describing it to several people, I was asked why I would want to torture myself by reading such tragic stories. The answer is that every pet owner (past and present)in the country NEEDS to read this book. It should be required. Too many people just don't know what happens when they don't spay/neuter their dogs and cats, or when they drop off their pets at a shelter because they are moving, or "tired of the animal," or some other unacceptable reason for giving up a pet. A pet is a lifetime responsibility, and everyone needs to be aware of that. If I sound angry, it's because I am. After reading this heartfelt book and seeing the beautiful faces of these animals with so many sad stories, you can't help but feel some anger. Yes, there were wonderful stories too. And the warm-hearted shelter workers who do their best deserve gold medals for their courage and ability to stick it out. I can only hope and pray that things get better for our animal friends in the future.