📖 Overview
Saving Sadie chronicles the rescue and rehabilitation of a dog who was shot in the head and left for dead in Missouri. The memoir follows author Joal Derse Dauer as she discovers Sadie and commits to helping her heal, despite numerous obstacles.
The book details the medical challenges and setbacks involved in Sadie's recovery, as well as the growing bond between human and dog. Through persistence and dedication, Dauer works with veterinarians and specialists to give Sadie a chance at a normal life.
The broader narrative traces how Sadie's story gains media attention and inspires a community to rally around her cause. Dauer documents her efforts to raise awareness about animal abuse while navigating the complexities of caring for a severely traumatized pet.
At its core, this book explores themes of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of the human-animal connection. The parallel journeys of recovery - both physical and emotional - demonstrate how saving another being can lead to unexpected personal growth.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as an emotional true story of dog rescue and rehabilitation. The book maintains a 4.7/5 rating on Amazon (200+ reviews) and 4.3/5 on Goodreads (300+ ratings).
Readers appreciated:
- The detailed documentation of Sadie's recovery process
- The author's persistence despite obstacles
- The balance between medical details and emotional moments
- Photos included throughout the book
Common criticisms:
- Too much focus on the author's personal life
- Some repetitive sections
- Writing style described as "simple" by several reviewers
Review quotes:
"Shows the reality of rehabilitation without sugar-coating the challenges" - Goodreads reviewer
"Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Amazon reviewer
"Made me want to rescue a special needs dog" - Amazon reviewer
Most reviewers recommend this book for dog lovers and those interested in animal rescue stories, though note it contains descriptions of animal abuse that sensitive readers may find difficult.
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Dogtripping by David Rosenfelt A man relocates cross-country with 25 rescue dogs, chronicling the journey of saving these animals and establishing a dog rescue foundation.
Arthur by Mikael Lindnord A Swedish adventure racer adopts a stray dog who followed his team through the Ecuadorian jungle during a 400-mile race.
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron One dog experiences multiple lives through reincarnation while seeking to understand its purpose and save the humans it loves.
Craig & Fred by Craig Grossi A Marine discovers a stray dog in Afghanistan and fights through regulations and red tape to bring his companion back to the United States.
Dogtripping by David Rosenfelt A man relocates cross-country with 25 rescue dogs, chronicling the journey of saving these animals and establishing a dog rescue foundation.
Arthur by Mikael Lindnord A Swedish adventure racer adopts a stray dog who followed his team through the Ecuadorian jungle during a 400-mile race.
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron One dog experiences multiple lives through reincarnation while seeking to understand its purpose and save the humans it loves.
🤔 Interesting facts
🐾 Sadie, the dog featured in the book, was shot in the head and left for dead in Kentucky before being rescued. Despite a grave prognosis, she defied the odds and learned to walk again.
🏆 The book's success led to Sadie becoming a therapy dog, visiting hospitals and schools to inspire others facing adversity. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame.
📚 Author Joal Derse Dauer had no intention of adopting another dog when she first saw Sadie's photo on Facebook, as she was already caring for two elderly dogs at the time.
🎥 Sadie's story garnered national attention and was featured on multiple television programs, including NBC's "Today Show" and "Fox & Friends."
💕 The book's co-author, Elizabeth Ridley, has written multiple award-winning novels and worked closely with Joal to capture both the emotional depth and medical challenges of Sadie's journey.