Rescue Road

Reporter Zheutlin traveled along with Greg Mahle on his “rescue road” where he finds unwanted, abandoned dogs in the south and transports them to new and loving homes in the northeast. Mahle’s own journey began when he closed the last of his family owned restaurants. No job and no money didn’t leave him many options, but a van full of puppies looking for homes provided Mahle with a calling he didn’t even knew he had. Traveling to some of the more economically depressed areas of the deep south, he visits animal shelters with high kill rates, or just saves skinny strays right off the streets. With the help and dedication of devoted volunteers all along the way, he finds new forever homes for each of his peopleless dogs. This is such an incredible story – if you are a dog lover like me, you’ll be smiling through your tears. There’s an amazing children’s book called Flawed Dogs by Berkley Breathed (of Bloom County fame) that talks about an angel descending from heaven to offering dogs “the flawed, unwanted….a second chance”. I think he must have been talking about Greg Mahle

Author Peter Zheutlin has given animal lovers, advocates and animal volunteers a beautifully written definitive story of Greg Mahler who has personally rescued over thirty thousand dogs. For those of us that love animals, he is a hero to be admired. The author follows Mr. Mahler as he crosses the country rescuing thousands of dogs , helping with adoptions and changing the lives of both the dogs and the people that adopt them. You will cry and laugh with joy at each adoption, at each dog he takes from a kill shelter is saved, as each dog begins life anew. This is a beautifully written story from the heart, for those of us with heart that love animals it will be appreciated in its entirety Mr. Mahler is truly amazing and the lives he has saved speak to his integrity and commitment to animals. I highly recommend this amazing story for all animal lovers. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for this advance reading copy. The opinion of this book is my own. This book is one to be shared and recommended to all of your friends and family that love animals.

Greg Mahle runs Rescue Road Trips ... he has a huge truck that every two weeks he drives down to the southern states to pick up dogs that have been rescued and drive them back up to the northern states to be adopted. Apparently the southern states have an overpopulation problem of dogs. People there don't value them as part of the family like we do and treat them as property. Dogs are abused, abandoned and/or left to wander around to take care of themselves. It's heartbreaking.

Author Peter Zheutlin accompanied Greg on a couple of his treks, meeting and interviewing the angels who volunteer to walk the dogs at pit stops as Greg heads back up north and the people who work and/or volunteer in animal control centres, dog rescues, etc. where the dogs are picked up. Plus at the end of the book, there are updates on the owners who have adopted some of the dogs Greg has transported.

As an animal lover, I have so much respect for people who dedicate their time to rescues and helping others save animals and find homes for them. I couldn't do it ... I would want to take them all home. Plus it would break my heart knowing that some dogs are lucky to be given the opportunity for a better life while others who aren't so lucky are euthanized.

At the end of Greg's trips, as he is heading to the distribution spots up north for Gotcha Day, he puts messages on Facebook to let everyone know his status and that of the dogs to get everyone excited.

This is a must read for all dog lovers!

This book was both heartbreaking and inspiring all wrapped in one. As the proud Momma of a rescue pup myself after volunteering at a local shelter I know how tough the rescue environment can be. Seeing so many dogs passing through, people giving up on their dog for one reason or another and not thinking of their pet as a member of the family. This story is told by Peter who travels with Greg a driver who travels from the South to the North bringing upward of 80 dogs at a time to their forever homes. Peter also spends time with local shelter organizations, rescue centers, and advocates for dogs. Heroes who drive through the cities of Texas scouring for the unwanted dogs that have been tossed aside just so they can feed them and try and vaccinate them. He tries to explain why the problem is so much more rampant in the South. It also tells of Greg's huge sacrifice with life on the road but how much he really cares about each dog he transports. I was so moved by this story and really just want to help in anyway I can.

Review to be included in monthly book review and also previewed here: http://tillthensmileoften.com/broken-record