Ryan DeJonghe - The Avid Reader

This is not a happy book, but rather is a necessary one. The title is emotional, the back-book selection is tear-producing, and the entire book is utterly heart-wrenching. Through descriptive writing, author Steve McGarva highlights the horrid atrocities animals (not just dogs) suffer on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

I couldn’t finish this: my heart was broken too many times. The things the author describes are beyond abuse: they are straight-up evil. Horses being pulled apart by trucks, dogs skinned…. I would flip to another chapter, and more pain was revealed. Even as I read about the author’s concluded journey on the island, I could feel the agony about his descriptions of recent history of government-sponsored groups throwing dogs from high bridges. I could not bear it.

Though many courageous workers are offering their services on the island, the author can be noted for raising the standard through key media outlets, such as PEOPLE Magazine and the Ellen Show. Through his empathetic hurt and burden, and now through his book, the message is spreading. Hope and light are being made available for these precious dogs.

Another reviewer has noted several organizations fighting for this cause: Amigos de Los Animales, Manos Por Patas, The Sato Project, All Sato Rescue (author’s affiliation), Island Dog, Save a Sato, ARF Rincon, Culebra Animal Welfare, Second Chance Animal Rescue.

I want to thank Dey Street (formally It Books) for sending this book to me for review, as well as publishing it for people’s awareness.