A true look into the hearts and minds of the homeless (people and pets) and their struggles to get through the day.
352554
Carla's Rivet took me on a journey through a place we all see in our daily lives...the plight of the homeless.  With her faithful furry follower....Carla shows us the almost impossibility for the homeless to turn their lives around without help.  Something we can all learn from as well as just being an amazingly wonderful read.  Thanks Nicole Gramlich!
1098190
the book is so inspiring to people who don't understand how homeless and lessfortunate people live and reading this book me cry because it was so well writed.
2911815
This book left me breathless....absolutely beautiful.  The faces of the homeless were indescribable and brought tears to my eyes.  It's hard to imagine what these people have gone through...but this book portrays it.  An excellent buy!!
2188360
If you have ever experienced the love and loss of a pet, this book will take you on an emotional journey of hope and healing. As told through the thoughts of his dog, BK adopts, loves and loses his beloved animals all while trying to find his own path in life. This story is one I couldn't put down. Each chapter compelled me to read further as I learned how the animals came into BK's life and the circumstances that surrounded their death. I laughed, cried and was sometimes shocked at the stories and events in this remarkable book. I highly recommend this book to all animal lovers.
1240327
This book entails wonderful stories about precious German Shepherd dogs and the unbreakable bonds with the humans who love them. These true stories will make you laugh and cry.  Anyone who wants to know the hearts and souls of these very special dogs will be taken on a heartfelt journey while reading this book.  You will also support rescue groups at the same time through purchasing this book. Makes a great gift for yourself or a friend.
1969333
The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron is a poignant and heart wrenching story of a 5 year old boy who fell homeless after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ivan survived on the streets and on the railway first, with other abandoned children then, joined a pack of dogs and together, they survived for two years. I was drawn to read this book because I LOVE dogs. I was nervous about the story as I anticipated the hardship of their lives and ultimately, the separation of the boy and his pack. It is difficult for me to take in stories in which children or domesticated animals struggle with severe hardships. My heart bleed from the first word to the last and tears filled my eyes throughout the story -- I finished the books weeks ago and continue to think of Ivan,the dogs, and abandoned souls throughout history and today.
Pyron has written a work of fiction that is deeply rooted in a painful truth of our human history. Her work compelled me to read the works listed in the bibliography and learn more about Ivan Mishukov and the orphaned children and dogs of Russia.  I love the book.  I'm a librarian at a junior high and will recommend it to my students who are mature enough for this reality of life.
4181050
It was a good commentary on the abuse problems that go on every day and the plight of the helpless caught in it's grasp.  It was also a touching story about the loving and caring of people for those they discover are suffering and their willingness to help.  I enjoyed this book very much and it was a compelling read.  It was a chosen read by our small book club.
1536831
A different and imaginative perspective on the lives of shelter animals. Seen from their very own eyes this book is, fun, touching and informative. I recommend it for anyone that loves dogs!
2006232
When I see a man or woman living on the streets, I feel this immediate, intense battle happening inside of me. My first reaction - like most people - is to ignore them, but there is this intensity inside of me to answer the problem. Clearly, there is csome discomfort when a stranger is panhandling but a sense of superiority instinctually flows through me.

"He must be a drunk. She is obviously high or trying to get high. Why don't they go over to the shelter or church? A shelter will do a lot better than the change in my pocket."

But over the years, I have learned a lot about the realities of homelessness in America. The problem cannot be defined neatly in a short sentence. It is a complicated issue with numerous causes and zero quick fixes.

Though we all may have different experiences with homelessness, in the end a homeless person is a person. He or she is a loved child of our Creator. And that's the other side of the battle inside of me.

"How do I help this man? Will giving him a couple of dollars help? Am I really doing the right thing? Where can I do more?"
A couple of college students had this same question. Instead of sitting in class trying to understand the economics of homelessness in America or sitting through another sermon about feeding the poor, these two men set out to experience the other side. Under the Overpass chronicles Mike Yankoski and his friend's experience living on the streets of America. They spent six months in six different cities, spending a month in each major city. Normal activities that society rarely ever thinks about like eating, sleeping, or defecating became major challenges.

This journey really shows you the personal side of homelessness. When I think of the homelessness, I usually think of no shelter and money, but seldom do I think a lack of relationships or love. What shocked me the most about this book was Yankoski's apparent lightheartedness. Though he took the matter very seriously and it was definitely not an easy experience, he did appear to portray this aura of freedom. He didn't have to rush to class or a meeting; life had an unusually different pace. I don't think he was trying to communicate that in the book, but it was something I noticed.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in how we can help the poor and needy within our own borders.
1617711
Once I started reading this book, I didn't want put it down.  Debra White takes true events and makes them the basis for an emotionally engaging story.  The story is written from the perspective of dogs and cats who find themselves in a shelter where they could be euthanized.  A pair of thugs wants to make money off the animals by stealing them from the shelter and selling them to laboratories for medical experimentation.  White tells the story in a way that makes the reader feel empathy for the vulnerability of pets with individual personalities who are utterly dependent on humans to care for them.  The stolen dogs and cats are successful in escaping from their captors, but have to survive the elements and find food even as the thieves are trying to hunt them down.  The animals do the best to take care of each other.  Most of them survive the hardships, are rescued, and returned to the shelter that is their temporary "home."  Their trust in the shelter turns out to be justified when their previous owners come for them, or they are adopted out to loving homes.
2529936
This is a story of a tragic, true-life experience that happened to a loving family and their beloved pets.  It is heartfelt and genuine.  It was written to help the family heal their hurt during a time of loss and shock.  It will inspire all animal lovers to be grateful for the beautiful interactions they have with their furry family members everyday and remind readers of the incredible amount of goodness there still is in this world everyday when members of a community are affected by tragedy.
2013686
I read this book living in the UK with a UK perspective of homelessness.

The book would be a must read for anyone thinking about volunteering to help out at a homeless shelter or in a charity this winter and it would be especially useful if you were thinking about a career in social work.

Terms like "under serviced clients" and "The unaffiliated homeless" stuck in mind as we don't use these descriptions in the UK.

Jay has developed a range of methods to contact and build trust with hard to reach sections of the homeless community. I like the six stories documented in the book especially touching and tragic was the story of a man called Butch.

Over all the book is a specialist publication but it has a wider appeal because of the accounts or narratives of suffering, indignity and homelessness that are detailed in the first part of the book.

I Liked this book and I recommend it.

Paul Kendall (Leeds UK)
2169770
SUMMARY:
A former foster child, Nick finds himself living and barely surviving on the streets.  Homeless and desperate, Nick relishes an Italian dinner yet ends up stealing a car instead, perhaps the car belonging to a criminal.  When inner turmoil sets in, Nick is faced with decisions that could impact his futureand it all may hinge on a black coat

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
I must admit this is not my usual genre of books yet I found it to be truly thought-provoking, humbling, educational and well-written.  Drawing attention to an often overlooked and ignored issue of homelessness, Elizabeth Yalian takes a sensitive approach through a page- turning fictional piece to make the reader consider it.  This book may work well for a church ministry group or even an introduction to a Bible study and/ or mission.  Elizabeth, thank-you for sharing your book with me as well as your compassion.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Black Coat With A Silver Lining from the author and Booklovers1 for my honest review*
605455
To keep this short and sweet, I received this book in the mail yesterday morning and finished all 300+ pages by last night.  I could not put it down.  It really touched my soul.  I always considered myself an animal lover, but after reading this tragic story there is no doubt in my mind that animals really do have personalities, emotions and souls.  Shame on people who treat them as if they were worthless and disposable.  Although I found myself crying during various chapters in the book, I am so glad I read it because it really opened my eyes.  It makes me want to get involved in animal rights!  What a great tribute to such a wonderful soul that was Nim Chimpsky.
2474214
"Enslaved By Ducks," written by Bob Tarte, on the surface is a journey into the realm of a seemingly hapless couple as they cope and confront multiple experiences with their pets. While the humor and wit are enough to entertain and keep the reader riveted, I was taken with the compassion shown to the animals under the circumstances that would have the biblical Job crying for mercy. This brilliant book is also about people; the couple, friends, relatives, pet store owners,vets and so on.
The author's depiction of all the animals is indeed special. His portrayal of the human species in their relation to these animals to me is at the heart of the book. You can tell so much about a person by their love and compassion for animals. You will enjoy this book. I surely did. It will have you laughing and thinking deeply about pet ownership.
771331
Whether human or canine, living with a mentally ill loved one brings special challenges. Peggy Tibbetts has shown us an extraordinary and realistic emotional journey through the agonizing trials and frustrations and heartwarming joys of working with a beloved pet with canine compulsive disorder. I recommend this book to all animal lovers.
1579348
A beautiful accounting of a lifetime of work with the homeless and mentally ill. Thank God for people like Craig.