A couple of years ago, Peter Zheutlin wrote a book called Rescue Road, about a man who drives hundreds of thousands of miles to deliver abandoned dogs from kill shelters in the South to forever homes up north. Zheutlin went along for the ride and discovered how these trips bring love and joy to the rescued dogs and to the humans who often considered themselves rescued as well. 

Now he's back with Rescued, the stories of these dogs and their newly adopted families and how their lives have been changed. Broken hearts have healed, souls have been restored, and lives have been saved. And one of those lives? Albie, the dog adopted finally adopted by Zheutlin and his family after his wife and kids spent years wearing him down. And while life with a dog isn't all Facebook photos and long afternoon snuggle naps and adorable games of catch, taking on a rescue dog does change your life for the better. 

This is not always a easy book to read. There are many abandoned pets with sad stores who do not escape the shelters. I know that my copy of the book kept getting pretty misty, the words blurring in front of me (or is it just dusty in here? like, really dusty?). But it's as heart-warming a book as I've read in a long time, as well as beautiful reminder of what's most important in life. 

Rescued takes you on a journey that will make you hug your dog (or dogs, or cats) extra hard, and might even cause you to increase your household four paws at a time. As someone who lives with a rescued cat (I am so lucky he adopted me!), I know the power of the paws, and I recommend reading this book and adopting furrever friends to everyone. 

Galleys for Rescued were provided by Penguin Group TarcherPerigree through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.