A heart warming story of a saved dog called Buddy.
Buddy is found at death's door on a farm and Nicola immediately sees that she needs to do something to save this poor soul.
After several medical treatments and a lot of unconditional love thrown in Buddy becomes a soulmate and companion and gives back the love and care he received in bounds.
A beautifully written story of how Buddy is saved and also helps the author come over several difficult times.
Recommended for all animal lovers and this is a story that tells the virtues of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog that is often misunderstood.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read in return for a review.

Fab book lovely story I love how they helped each other it was meant to be I love how it portrays Staffordshire bulk terriers real temperament and not how they are portrayed in the news

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am the proud "owner" of a rescue pitbull mix so I knew as soon as I saw the cover of this book that I would be requesting it. Staffies and Pitbulls are obviously not the same breed but they do get lumped together most of the time. A Bully Breed in general gets many negative stories put out there. Are there mean dogs in the world? Heck yeah, but that includes all breeds. You just don't hear all of the stories about them because the news doesn't want you to. Any dog can be turned mean and aggressive. Anyway, I digress.

Buddy entered Nicola's life by accident as she was on a different kind of rescue mission at the time. She was trying to save some horses and found poor Buddy, who she obviously couldn't leave behind. Being a single woman, she decides that she is going to keep Buddy and they become each other's whole world while he heals and comes back to life. The book goes on to describe the bond that these two have and the people that enter their lives as she tries to get more positive attention to her Staffy. She wants to show the world that these dogs are NOT all bad and she does a great job of it. Along the way, she meets her future husband, who also has to be approved by Buddy, she has a child, who Buddy loves as his own, and she adopts another rescue dog. She enters Buddy in dog shows and they meet so many new friends (both canine and human) that a whole little community is created that became like family to them. I loved reading about the adventures she had in her life all because she had a good heart and decided to help this dog. I wish there were more people like her in the world. I also loved that she included some pictures in her book. That is always an added bonus to a nonfiction book, in my opinion.

I volunteer with a local shelter and I see just how cruel people can be to their animals because there are so many puppy mills, abandoned dogs, and dog fighting in general here in the South. I see and hear some stories that the general public might not hear that it truly sickens me and has changed me to the very core of who I am. The government needs to step up in ALL the states and create harsher laws and harsher consequences. I love that some states have started this and I hope the rest catch up.

I enjoyed this story about Buddy. It was hard to read in places but overall, it was a heartwarming read as the author shared her journey with Buddy. I would have liked more pictures but I was pleased to see that Buddy has a social media presence.

It was a relatively short read and I'm glad I started it over the weekend as it was hard to put down especially with the heart in mouth chapters where you couldn't turn the page quick enough to find out that all was going to be well.

It does leave you bewildered at the mindset of those that treat animals badly but the love and warmth shine though in this book and overall I was left with a smile on my face and touched in my heart.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Furry hugs all round!

This book caught my attention right from the cute doggy picture on the front cover to the book synopsis. I have rescued my Buddy (or as we call him Budrick) about 4 years ago and more recently we adopted our beautiful Lachinia. We also open a spot in our house and our hearts for one rescue foster dog at a time. This is something I feel so strongly about and can't stand watching poor puppies suffer at a humans hands. I wish I rescue more at a time.

This book really resonated with me. I have been lucky that the couple dogs we have adopted came to us as they were not wanted anymore but no harm physically was done to them (that we are aware of), mentally I am sure they have went through tremendous hurt. Nicola has a heart of gold picking Buddy up and not worrying what might happen to her when she left the property with him. Fighting for Buddy to make a full recovery from his horrendous start in life. The bond and love that Buddy and Nicola share through their story is so heartwarming. Nicola shares her personal struggles in life and the joys, along with all the dog shows Buddy took part in. I don't know a lot about Staffies but that they are in the "bad" dog rep. espescially in Ontario Canada as we are not allowed any kind of Pit bull/Staffordshire Terrier or even a dog that resembles them. Unfortunately there have been a few dogs over the years that I wanted to adopt but can't because of the ban. I don't believe these dogs are bad and that some where breed for the wrong reasons.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars as it was a heartwarming story of love, companionship and survival. I did find the author over used telling us that Staffies are not mean dogs and that they can be trusted. A couple mentions would have sufficed. Overall I did enjoy this book and hope all the best for Buddy and Nicola as they both have been through a lot.

I really liked this book. I cried while reading this just because of the heartwarming story about these two. If you love animals, I definitely recommend reading this one. Be sure to have tissues around.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an emotional read that any dog lover will enjoy. The author perfectly captured how love and patience can save the life of an abused animal. I loved following the journey she had with Buddy, who was a very special dog! I highly recommend this one!

My apologies are extended to a promising story that --for this reader -- failed to capture my interest or sustain a full read. There was nothing for me to connect to in the story -- I found myself most enraptured with the landscape and not with a single character, not even Buddy. Surprising disappointment.

This book is so good! I absolutely fell in love with Buddy! It is true with
these dogs you must look at the other end of the leash to see if you are
safe or not. I loved this family's journey with Buddy. It was never boring
that's for sure. By the end of the book, I am so attached to Buddy, I had
to find him online. Thankfully, he's on Facebook! This book is a must-read!

Thank you so much, Nicola Owst, her Publisher, and Netgalley for the chance
to read and learn to love Buddy!

I need to start by saying that I volunteer at 2 rescues finding homes for dogs and cats who have sometime been through some of what Buddy went through so a book about rescuing a very abused dog definitely resonates with me. Buddy’s story was amazing and inspiring and also made me very angry that he had been allowed to get into the state that he was in when Nicola found him. I loved the way she and Buddy have been opening people’s eyes to what marvelous dogs Staffie’s can be. And, being from the States, I also loved the insights into the dog world in the UK. My only concern (and a very minor one) was that there was periodically very UK words or phrases that I couldn’t quite figure out. They didn’t interfere with the story but left me a little curious as to what the meanings might be. I will indeed recommend this book, especially to my friends who are also involved in finding homes for rescued animals. And for anyone who is especially tenderhearted and may be bothered by the early descriptions of the condition that Buddy was in when Nicola found him, I would simply say that the rest of the book shows what can come of loving a dog in whatever situation he is found. Keep reading....it is well worth it! The book was a bit of a “two-fer” with the opportunity to see the strength and courage in both Buddy and Nicola.

This is truly a dog lover’s dream book. Nicola finds an abandoned dog, Buddy who, it seems, has had as tumultuous a life as she has, with enough heartaches to break even the strongest of hearts. The book chronicles Nicola’s and Buddy’s life as they piece things back together. Nicola and Buddy are definitely a match made in heaven, who just happened to come upon each other when they were both at a very low point in life. The book is not really sad. Yes, some of the events and actions may be a downer, but the good that comes out of it all is very heartwarming and makes for a nice read. The book starts out on a sad note, as finding Buddy is discussed/presented, but it soon moves on to rehabilitating—both Buddy and Nicola. I just hope others in situations similar to Nicola (mother dead and father married to what can best be described as a “wicked step-mother”, making life as difficult as she can for Nicola) get lucky enough to find their own Buddy. Buddy is, in many ways the hero of the story, though Nicola is also a heroine and deserves credit for rescuing and bringing out the very best in Buddy. This book is a must-read for all animal lovers/animal rescuers and, especially, dog lovers. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Oh how this precious non-fiction narrative made me cry but also enthuse with joy! Buddy is a special animal indeed, and so too is his owner special. I very much resonated with her story of growing up mostly alone and how Buddy's abandonment, serious illness, and subsequent separation anxiety spoke to her heart and soul. Although some portions are painful to read, this book instilled a song in my heart.

Heartwarming story of how a rescue dog can rescue us. Buddy was abandoned and near death when found, bringing him back from the brink and taking care of him helped the Nicola heal also.

Such a heartbreaking and hopeful book. It will make you mad at the world but then make you believe in the good of people again.

As an animal lover, I found this book to be heartwarming and emotional. It is about a woman's love for a very special dog but also the story of her life. A very easy read which I would recommend to all dog lovers. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This book made me cry and smile, it's heart wrenching and heartwarming.
I loved the story, rooted for Buddy and Nicola and couldn't put it down.
I think it's a must read for any animal lover.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A very sweet tale of one woman and her love for her rescue dog, Buddy. It delves back into Owst's childhood at times. At first I was a bit apprehensive because I wanted to read about Buddy but most of the historical stuff was background to where her love of animals originated. Owst's love for the Staffy breed and her wanting to give them a better image shines through. Nicola seems like a caring and kind lady with a love of animals. A nice easy reading heartwarming tale.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!!

Such a heartwarming story.. I Mean seriously... who wouldn't love a book about a rescue dog?!

Buddy definitely had a rough start to life... and to say he's lucky to find Nicola would be an understatement. BUT lovers of dogs all know that it wasn't just Buddy that was lucky. Nicola is just as lucky to find Buddy.

Read this book.. You won't regret it.

If you've looked around lately, you'll have noticed that this world has gone to the dogs. There are dogs everywhere! On the beach, up and down the sidewalks, alongside you at dog-friendly restaurants, memes, dog prints, YouTube, commercials... you name it. You'll also find plenty of books on dogs. Why? Because we love them so much. One of those newer books is Saving Buddy: The heartwarming story of a very special rescue by Nicola Owst.

One rainy English day, Nicola was out on a mission to pick up a horse rescue from a farm where quality of life was not one of the owner's goals. Seeing the disgustingly deplorable conditions of a couple of the animals, they ended up going home with two horses and one caged, feces covered, very abused Staffordshire Bull Terrier on the verge of taking his last breath. This tore Nicola's heart apart. She didn't ask, she just took the poor little boy who turned around and stole her heart.

As with any animal rescue book, it's loaded with parts that will make you cry. You'll get most of your crying over with in the front of the book as Nicola talks about how she found Buddy, or Buddy Boy, and how badly he was abused. But as the book continues, you'll also find yourself weeping tears of joy as the story tells of healing and triumphs along the way. Not just for Buddy but also Nicola as she too was inadvertently rescued by Buddy after her own personal turmoils.

Nicola's early life is a true Cinderella story complete with finding her prince with the prince being Buddy Boy. Actually, she found two as she eventually meets Jon, her husband, who is one of the good ones. Although, there was no glass slipper which was probably a good thing because Buddy probably would have just chewed it up. When Nicola was still just a young girl, her mother passed away leaving her under the care of her father who had become a broken man who quickly married the woman who would play the role of Nicola's literal wicked step-mother. Those tales of neglect and abuse too will wet your eyes.

Fortunately for Nicola, she had a good network of others in her life who would eventually step in and help her along the way. Once she was just old enough to move along, she moved out and started to establish herself as an independent young woman. She still worked at the stable but also found other work to pay the bills. This was also when Buddy found a permanent place in Nicola's life. This is a tale of the true love of two partners saving the lives of each other through thick and thin.

Buddy is still with Nicola and her family but slowing down as we all do with age. You'll read of their interactions at dog shows, various medical scares with both Buddy and Nicola, vacations with friends of both the two and four legged variety, and trips scaling mountains, as well as how Buddy was involved with Nicola making peace with her broken father. There's also plenty of information regarding animal rescue missions and some basic information on how you too can get involved.

As sad as some of this book is, it was still a delight to read with many of its endearing stories and Buddy anecdotes. By the end, I found that I was ready to leave the book, though I found it to be the perfect length. All had been told and it almost started to get a little too much with the many dog shows and details involving rescue organizations. All good but any more would have ventured into the preachy zone.

The world may have gone to the dogs but those best friends of ours are often who save us. No, they can't save the whole world but every saving connection is one dog step closer to saving each other. The story of Buddy Boy and Nicola is just one of those tales.


Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A lovely book.

I really enjoyed 'Saving Buddy'. Such a heartbreaking, and ultimately heartwarming story as rescued Staffie Buddy gets better day by day, and Nicola loves him more and more. As well as Buddy, other animals feature too, such as horses. A magical book. And don't think it's all sad and a difficult read. It's not-it's very varied, and focuses mostly on after Buddy is found, their life with him, life in general, and all its ups and downs. So it's mostly uplifting really, and I had a few chuckles at some of the things Buddy does. Highly recommended, a lovely book.