The Lost Dogs

by Gale
(The Proper Pit Bull)

The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant is an important book for pit bull owners and lovers.

In The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption Jim Gorant not only chronicles the events surrounding the most notorious case of animal cruelty in recent history, he also tells the story of the amazing dogs that survived and thrived and the rescuers who saved them.

As an acclaimed author and senior editor of Sports Illustrated, Gorant has the ability to command the attention of a wide audience. Consequently, this book has the potential to make a significant impact on the public's perception of pit bulls, dogfighting and animal cruelty--making it a 'must-read' for bully lovers.

What Others are Saying:

"The Lost Dogs takes an up close and personal look at society's ultimate underdogs, and the animal lovers who bucked the odds-- and the system--to save them. Gorant has crafted an insightful and uplifting tale about the way that nurture can sometimes triumph over nature, and how the remnants of cruelty can be transformed through the power of hope and love."
-Allen St. John, author of The Billion Dollar Game: Behind the Scenes at the Super Bowl

"Jim Gorant's remarkably even-handed The Lost Dogs is a gripping story of redemption that uncovers the other side of the Michael Vick story. A portrait of dogs as individuals, caught up in events that reveal the best and worst of human nature, The Lost Dogs will validate dog lovers and possibly transform cynics as well."
-Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me

"Jim Gorant goes beyond the headlines of Michael Vick and the Bad News Kennels to richly tell the rest of the story: how these amazing dogs, in the wake of such brutality, help bring out the best in the human spirit."
-Tom Verducci, author of The Yankee Years

The Lost Dogs will be released September 16, 2010. But you can reserve your copy now. When you order through the link below, a portion of your purchase will benefit The Proper Pit Bull. Find out more about how you can support this free, informational website.

Comments for The Lost Dogs

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Nov 09, 2010
Rating

Awesome!
by: Jennifer

I purchased the book over a month ago. Started to read it and had to stop because the first chapters were too upsetting. I finally worked up the courage to try again and I have not been able to put the book down.

Emotions have ranged from extreme rage towards the "men" who operated Bad Newz Kennel...to joy when reading of the antics of silly boys and girls while in foster care...and tears for the dogs who didn't make it.

This book has changed my opinion of Pit Bulls (I never thought they were "bad" dogs...I just didn't know much about them). Thank you for opening my eyes.

Oct 27, 2010
Rating

UPSETTING!!!
by: Anonymous

I am about halfway through the book i had to put it down several time & skip over a few paragraphs because it was just to upsetting for me to read. i have followed the story from the beginning. First it sickens me to know what these poor dogs went through & to know that scum vick is still playing football to let him back really shows how much people don't care about animal abuse but then again we know there are so many people that do care very much. I am so happy the people that did step up to help the dogs & know they are doing much better. I have a beautiful lovable pitbull & have had him for 3 yrs the love he gives is just amazing i don't know what i would do without him. He is my 2nd pitbull the first died from a tumor at 6 & it was devastating. I hope i can get through the rest of the book because some time i cry so much i have to put it down. But thank you all so much for helping these poor dogs.

Oct 18, 2010
Rating

MY LOVE FOR PITTIES IS NOW STRONGER
by: Anonymous

I READ THE BOOK OVER ONE VACATION WEEKEND. ALTHOUGH AT POINTS I HAD TO EXCUSE MYSELF. THE LAST NIGHT I READ THE BOOK, I CRIED MYSELF TO SLEEP. I KNEW THE THINGS THAT WENT ON WERE AWFUL, BUT AFTER READING IT WAS MUCH WORSE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED. I GOT MY FIRST PITBULL ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I COULD NEVER IMAGINE HURTING HIM OR ANY OTHER DOG. I WANT TO HELP AND SPREAD THE WORD ON THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT PIT BULLS. I AM GOING TO KEEP DOING MY RESEARCH AND THIS BOOK DID A WONDERFUL JOB SHOWING JUST HOW STRONG A PASSION CAN BE AND HOW IT CAN TURN A BAD SITUATION AROUND. IT'S GREAT TO HEAR THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO HELPING. AND JIM GORANT DID A GREAT JOB TELLING THIS STORY.

Oct 10, 2010
Rating

Too emotional
by: Anonymous

I purchased this book approximately a month ago
and started reading it, however, I had to put it
away. I read 3 chapters of Part 1 and it so difficult to read. It just breaks my heart how these innocent dogs were treated and how they killed them. Maybe someday I can pick it up again and try to get through it. It's just horrible what this particular breed has endured and I'm happy that the majority of these dogs were able to be rehabilitated and are living happy lives. I hug my two pits every day and tell them they don't know how lucky they are and how lucky I am to have them.

Oct 09, 2010
Rating

Should tender-hearted people read this book
by: Gale

In Response To Sensitive:

It's always hard to know how to advise people about something like this. (Whether to read something that may be disturbing). While we may all have more or less the same reaction to such brutality, it affects different people differently.

I also read Marley & Me and I experienced a range of emotions. (I thought the book was better than the movie.) I laughed out loud at parts of the book. And, I sobbed too. I forget the author's name at the moment. But, he's a wonderful writer.

The Lost Dogs impacted me in a different way. It does recount some painful aspects of how these dogs were treated and what happened to the ones who didn't have it in them to fight. Mercifully, the author doesn't go into lurid detail. There's nothing about what happened at Bad Newz Kennels in the book that I hadn't already heard about elsewhere in the media or on the internet. There's no attempt to sensationalize the brutality. But, it's still brutal. And it still hurts to read about it.

After reading the book, I felt a mixture of things:
1. Sad that such abuse happened and continues to happen
2. Furious at Michael Vick, the NFL and the Eagles (I felt this way before reading the book. Reading the book just reminded me how angry I am.)
3. Amazed at how resilient so many of the dogs were
4. Touched by the struggles of the dogs that were the most psychologically damaged
5. Grateful that the right people were in the right place at the right time to save these dogs
6. Hopeful about how dogs recovered from fighting operations will be viewed in the future.

I think that about covers it. I'm glad I read the book.

To Jill R.:

Thanks for your support and kind words about the site. I think your friends who borrow the book from you will not be disappointed.

Sep 29, 2010
Rating

FINALY
by: pitbull lover101

Finally a book about the truth. all you hear is bad news and lies. now this is the truth. so many people are just a**holes they need to know what these dogs go through and what a horrible murderer Vick is. otherwise they need some sense knocked into them !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sep 27, 2010
Rating

Not for me
by: Jill R.

Hi Gale,

I just purchased this book through your link because I want the book AND I want to support your amazing site.

But the thing is that I'm not sure I'll be able to read the book as it'll be very hard for me to read without becoming very emotional... as this breed often makes me feel :) I love pits so much that I just can't even allow myself to think about the horrible things that they go through.

However, I am buying this book in the hopes that someone around me will be intrigued to borrow it and read it. I'm well known around here for my excellent taste for amazing non-fiction books and I often lend my books out for others... and some are always waiting to see what I'll choose next.

So I'll choose this book in the hopes that someone who doesn't quite understand my love of pit bulls will think twice about judging them.

As I always say "Know Love... Rescue a Pit Bull"

Thanks again for your amazing site and giving more positive press to the breed!

Jill R.

Sep 27, 2010
Rating

Afraid of the details
by: Sensitive

I'm an all-around animal lover (more so than almost anyone I know) but I have a special affection for pit bulls. I Love them so much and constantly work to help change the perceptions of those in my neighborhood and community by taking my kind & friendly boy (almost) everywhere I go.

I'm very touched by what I have read about this particular group of amazing pits and I would love to read more but... even thinking about the cruelty tears me up. I mean, I literally get a lump in my throat and could easily cry if I didn't divert my attention any time I think about the horrible things that these dogs go through (not just M.Vick's but all the pits out there in similar situations).

So I wonder if I could read this book without having a nervous breakdown? When I read "Marley & Me" which wasn't even about a pit, I cried so hard that I couldn't speak! So I'm unsure if this book is for me.

Any thoughts? Maybe I'm just too sensitive?

Sep 25, 2010
Rating

Just ordered - but what about VICK???
by: Karen Moore Josephson

As a society we are sick...proof once again verified in the aggrandizement of Michael Vick as a HSUS spokesperson and granting him his own Television show.

We have got to find ways to work with our youth and school programs to get the message of life back into our society.

The problems are not just in the poor disenfranchised - Vick is wealthy beyond most Americans' dreams. His penalty of 2 years in jail does nothing to illustrate the seriousness of his crime and the violence involved.

Many studies have been published about the direct correlation of career criminals and their roots and starts in animal cruelty.

As Americans we need to wake up and be part of the change - not just sitting back and ignoring situations we don't like...

Karen Moore Josephson
Director, Cheatham County Animal Control

Sep 25, 2010
Rating

best book EVER
by: Erica

Pit bulls are my life. I live every day for my amazingly wonderful "gentle giants". I don't read books. Actually I hate reading! But in 3 days I'm 150 pages into This book. The detail that is used is so graphic anyone that reads this book will be shocked by the cruelty these dogs endured!!! It gives these animals the positive publicity they deserve and those.monsters the negative publicity they deserve. I recommend it to everyone!

Sep 23, 2010
Rating

I love pitbulls and....
by: Anonymous

Michael Vick needs to die and go to hell and **profanity deleted**. He is a sicko.

Sep 15, 2010
Rating

I will read the book, but
by: Anonymous

I will definitely read the book, but as for Michael Vick, he should be behind bars and awaikting the death penalty. Just goes to show that when money talks those with out it listen. Silly puppets.

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