Miracle Dogs, which combines Liz Stavrinides's professional career as a photographer with her personal passion for animals, is a testament to the healing powers of canine companionship for both dog and human--and the perfect gift for any dog lover. Stavrinides shares the stories of 50 families who rescued dogs from shelters, the streets, the sea and even the AKC show world, including celebrity pet owners like Chevy Chase and his golden Labradors, Chris and Cody; Hoda Kotb and her cockapoo, Blake Charlie; Jamie-Lynn Sigler and her Havanese/terrier mix, Bean; and Lance Bass and his Australian shepherd/beagle mixes, Lily, Foster and Dingo. But the majority of the entries are about people who are stars only in the eyes of their pups.
Most of the stories are unequivocally positive, but some of the striking ones involve dogs with special needs who required incredible dedication to heal, like Jax, a spaniel/dachshund mix that needed spinal surgery and now runs four miles a day with the help of cart, or Princess Fiona, a poodle mix that required a lens implant in order to see. Anyone who has experienced the world of animal rescue knows that while this vocation reinforces how resilient, forgiving and extraordinary dogs are, at times our regard of humanity drops precipitously. However, Miracle Dogs is not only a celebration of the goodness of canines, but a reminder of the many kind-hearted people in the world, too. A box of tissues is mandatory while reading Miracle Dogs, but the tears are nearly always happy. --Kristen Galles from Book Club Classics