The Mutt for Me

"The Mutt for Me: A Beautiful Transformation from Project Dog to Man’s Best Friend by Don Hughes describes the apprehension, deliberation, and courage by Don to rescue a dog, Barbie, hidden in the back of a kennel of a local Animal Shelter that Don volunteers at on weekends. Don's father recently passed away which saddens him. Barbie, on the other hand, is so traumatized by her past that she is petrified of any human who reaches out to adopt her. The Mutt for Me takes the reader on a journey of healing, forgiveness, and dedication, demonstrating to the reader that no matter what life throws at you, the love between you and your pet always pulls you through. A very moving book that you won't want to put down until the very last page.”

—Danielle Corrie, author of Teida's Story: Life through the Eyes of a Dog

“The Mutt for Me is the remarkable, heartwarming story of one man’s unerring devotion for a rescued dog. When Don first meets Barbie, she is damaged, depressed, and despondent. Worse still, she is biding her time on death row. Recently bereaved, Don himself is no stranger to sorrow; looking into her soulful brown eyes, he feels a connection and is compelled to give her a home. Barbie, however, is no ordinary rescue case; she is a project dog with extreme behavioral issues that nobody could have foreseen. Don tells his story with tenderness and sincerity, sharing not only the baby-step triumphs but also the bleakest moments of failure and abject despair. Despite the enormity of the challenges he faces, Don digs deep into his reservoir of tenacity and determination, and the reader cannot fail to empathize as they follow Don and Barbie on their emotional journey toward eventual trust and love. The Mutt for Me will capture the hearts of all who have known the love of a canine companion. For those considering the adoption of a project dog, it is an absolute must-read.”

—Liza Grantham, author of the Mad Cow in Galicia memoir series

“A captivating and endearing true story. The Mutt for Me perfectly illustrates how adopting a dog destined to be euthanized can transform the lives of both the dog and the adopter. This is a heartwarming and poignant read, recommended for all dog lovers.”

—Alyson Sheldrake, author of Kat the Dog: The Remarkable Tale of a Rescued Spanish Water Dog

“The Mutt for Me is an endearing look at one man’s special relationship with a very special dog. Don doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of saving Barbie, a dog no one wants, from euthanasia. However, this is a charming tale of growth and understanding on both sides. Love, care, and compassion shine from every page. This is a story of hope for dog lovers everywhere and a beautiful eulogy to all of those unsung heroes, like the author and his father, whose tireless efforts in the background make the world a better place. Between the pages, you will find a very moving tale that brims with understanding of the pain beneath. This short book will take you on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of taking on a creature who has given up on life and who needs to learn how to be a dog again before she can even hope to engage with humans. Barbie needed someone to believe in her enough to try—and during their journey together, Don found out that perhaps that’s what he needed too.”

—Jacqueline Lambert, award-winning author of the best-selling Adventure Caravanning with Dogs series of lighthearted travel memoirs

“Heartwarming, honest, and fun to read, The Mutt for Me shows us the transformation possible when two souls dare to connect—whether or not they feel ready! Don Hughes offers an intimate exploration into what it means to love a dog with all your heart. Taking a leap into the unknown to save the life of a dog on death row, the author trades his comfortable life for something much more demanding . . . but ultimately much more rewarding. Presented in delightful detail—at once hilarious and horrifying. We feel as if we are there in the room with this lovable and difficult rescue mutt. With wit and humor, Don Hughes asks an important question . . . Do we leave our comfort zone to make a difference for another? Through every challenge, his answer is a resounding “Yes!” and the world is a better place for it.”

—Allysha Lavino, author of The Heretic