Happy Tails Books Dog Adoption Stories

Do You Love Great Stories and Happy Endings?

We do! Our books share the amazing stories of adopted animals to raise awareness and funding for animal rescue efforts. We're also doing a book on assistance dogs as well as a variety of other humane education projects. Please pick up some books to help us stay on target for our 2010 goal of donating at least $10,000 to rescues...you'll love them and they make great gifts!

puppy mill book

Must-Read Books: The reviews are in, and all of our books carry 5-star ratings! See what all the fuss is about here!

Share Your Own "Tail:" Our books are full of stories from people who have fostered and adopted dogs and cats and people who have raised and benefited from assistance dogs. Honor or memorialize your adopted pets by sharing their stories!

Get Your Animal Books Published: Got a great book idea? We can help! After all, animal books are our specialty!

NEW! Join the Monthly Wag Club: Can't get enough "happy tails?" Join our Monthly Wag Club to get the best pet books delivered to your door monthly!

STORY COLLECTION ANNOUNCEMENT: Confessions of Irresponsible Pet Parents is a fun book full of anecdotes about pet-related "oopsies." We are collecting your story submissions for this and books on adopted mixed-breed dogs, cats, Cocker Spaniels, Assistance Dogs, Huskies, Yorkies, Rottweilers, Basset Hounds, Schnauzers, and Border Collies. Want in?Share your tale asap!

Scroll down to see the other wonderful pet-related books and eBooks we have already published.

Lost Souls: Found! storybooks about the pets you love:

"I began reading the Lost Souls: Found! series after my friend submitted a story about her puppy mill Golden Retriever for the Golden Retriever book. Inside each book I’ve found wonderful, heartwarming stories with happy endings, but what has impressed me most is the vision and dedication the publishers have for these books and for dog rescue… They took their passion for helping our canine companions to another level. Not only are the Lost Souls: Found! books a great read, but the Happy Tails Books project is a great cause to stand behind. Buy them all, read them all, and pass them along to your friends.... Oh, and don't forget the box of tissues!” –Jo Ann Farley

Other Books:


Memoirs of a Hollywood Dog Trainer	Main Line Animal Rescue's Puppy Mill Survivor Stories

Free eBooks:


Selection, Rescue, and Rehab Information	Dealing with Grief and Loss

DOWNLOAD AND SHARE OUR FREE eBOOK ABOUT THE DOG BREEDING INDUSTRY: Highlights include a comparison between reputable breeders, backyard breeders, and puppy mills, adoption information, and tips for socializing distressed and ex-puppy mill dogs. The Mill Dog Manifesto is very personal and easy to read.

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Books About Your Favorite Pets

Dog Blessed: Puppy Mill Survivor Stories

At this very moment, countless breeding dogs are trapped in small, chicken wire cages exposed to freezing temperatures and extreme heat deep within the folds of myriad pristine-looking farms blanketing America’s countryside. Along with other volunteers and adopters from Main Line Animal Rescue’s Over the Mill support group, Lisa Fisher shares the stories of 32 dogs rescued from these dire puppy mill situations. Each story about these dogs’ miraculous transformations into wonderful family pets is bursting with indispensible information that EVERYONE should know.

Help stop the suffering and ensure you won’t be swindled by the unscrupulous people who created those sick doggies in the window. Read this book, and arm yourself with the information you need to make the right choice about the next pet you bring into your life.

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Hollywood Barks! The Tails Behind Famous Dogs, Their Co-Stars, and Their Human Companions

The perfect gift for any dog-loving movie buff! Hollywood Barks is a humorous account that tells of revered studio wrangler Kathryn Segura’s experiences training dogs for television, print, and movies, such as “Indecent Proposal” and “There’s Something About Mary.” From a brief history of dogs in Hollywood to the do’s and don’ts of set etiquette, you'll be taken on a journey so vivid, you'll feel as if you are on the set yourself. Each chapter is accompanied by a lesson for a trick or behavior readers can try with their dogs. A significant portion of proceeds from each sale is donated to the South Los Angeles Shelter.

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beagle book Lost Souls: FOUND! InspiringStories About Beagles

Excerpt: My mother-in-law lives next door, and while my husband and I were out running errands, she heard a commotion coming from our home office. One by one, our Beagles were jumping out of our home office window like paratroopers! Now, you have to picture a 73-year-old woman trying to convince seven mostly self-absorbed Beagles to come back into the house after just a few minutes of unbridled freedom. She managed to wrangle two or three of the more compliant hounds and get them back inside before my husband returned home and rounded up the rest. Lesson learned. Thanks to our Beagle gates (not just for babies anymore!), our dogs have been safely secured ever since. -Paula Roy

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Chihuahua book Lost Souls: FOUND! InspiringStories About Great Danes

Excerpt: When we first brought Bella home from the rescue, our 10-year-old English bulldog, Tonka, did not appreciate her enthusiasm to become instant best buddies. Bella’s quieter approach the second time we introduced them went well, and though Tonka remained the boss, they reached an agreement. Tonka quickly learned that Bella had many talents; for example, she could shield him from the rain when he used the bathroom. His strategy was to wait until Bella did her business and then quickly run down the stairs and stand under her to pee. “Bella Umbrella” tolerantly waited, checking between her front legs to make sure she was covering him completely. She’s his perfect “big” little sister. Debbie, Scott, Kaitlyn, and Ben McIntyre

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Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Pugs

Excerpt: After foster Fanny busted through the kitchen baby gate, I found her upstairs in the bedroom with a shredded a box of tissues littering the rug. I was furious and determined to kick her out for this and previous antics, but the rescue politely asked me to hold her one more day, as they thought they had a family for her. Upstairs as I cleaned the mess, I realized it wasn’t actually tissues at all. Fanny had peed on the rug and tried to dig to China to cover it. What I thought were tissues were actually white shreds of carpeting that were dug up from the bottom of my purple rug! Although I was really ticked, I must admit the ridiculousness of it all made me laugh. Knowing her imminent return to the rescue approached, Fanny started her "please don't give me back, I love you," routine by approaching me and putting her head on my shoulder. My heart melted and I decided to let her stay…forever. -Rose Van Der Velden

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Chihuahua book Lost Souls: FOUND! InspiringStories About Chihuahuas

Excerpt: Sandy suffered badly from seizures and was concerned about collapsing alone at home or being embarrassed by one in public. She discovered that while her husband, Bud, couldn’t be with her all the time, a seizure alert dog could. Only a handful of dogs have the ability to alert their guardians when a seizure is coming, and it turned out that five-year-old Ben, who was about to be euthanized for outstaying his welcome at a shelter, did. Since adopting Ben, Sandy is more confident about going outside and being at home by herself because she knows he’ll tell her when a seizure is coming. Ben went from almost losing his life as an “expiring” pound puppy to giving a woman a whole new “leash” on life. What a dog! -Barb Rabe and Debra J. White

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Lost Souls: FOUND! InspiringStories About German Shepherd Dogs

Excerpt: The rescue volunteers suspected the dog I had my heart set on was wrong for me, but to humor me they asked me to walk her on a leash. Just as they had expected, she dragged me across the yard. Still certain I would go home with “my girl” because of the doggy nail polish and pink doggie room I had waiting for her, I begrudgingly met several other “less dominant” dogs as the volunteers had gently suggested. To my surprise, “the one” turned out to be Jackson (now Beau), a male with striking hazel eyes who adopted me the moment we met. The pink doggy room is now used for storage, the nail polish is in the trash, and Beau turned out to be an absolute dream companion. -Lisa Hall

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Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Boxers

Excerpt: A lady and her husband were hiking in the desert when a little, white “something” came running toward them at top speed. The blur turned out to be a Boxer with coyotes close on his tail. “Rocky” had been stray for at least a month before being taken into rescue, probably surviving by picking oranges from nearby orchards and then peeling them to enjoy the “fruits” of his labor (we’ve seen his talent with our own eyes). As a rescue volunteer, I was asked to foster Rocky, but I didn’t… I adopted him! Dubbed “The Little Ambassador,” Rocky turned out to be the perfect big brother for all foster dogs who passed through our home, nurturing them with love, patience, and understanding. -Judy Bailey

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Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Pit Bulls

Excerpt: "One day my daughter called me in a panic: “Mama! I saw this Pitty girl at a shelter in Boston… She needs a forever home. She needs YOU.” I only knew what I heard about Pit Bulls (nothing good), but eight-month-old Fergie, who was born to be a "bait" dog, stole my heart. At the same time an unfortunate cat/kitten situation also needed my attention. Was it possible for me to foster a mother cat with her six-week-old kitten in the home of a Pit Bull? To my surprise, Fergie acted like she was their mother, sleeping and cuddling with the cats. What do I now know about Pitties? Devoted, loveable, and intelligent – I’d get another in a heartbeat." -Gail Reed

Review: This book includes some of the most wonderful short stories about dogs that I have ever read. The various writing styles of each author make each story as unique as the content. I love the concise, two page descriptions of these wonderful dogs! This book is a must have not just for the Pittie lover, but any dog lover who has laughed with, loved, and cared about a rescued pet! Pictures of these wonderful dogs accompany each story for an added bonus. And part of the book sales go to various rescue groups- how wonderful is that! Be sure to check this out! -Kellie M. Dillner

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Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Labrador Retrievers

Excerpt: “Shortly after adopting Cooper my mother visited. Before running to the store, she’d pulled 24 meatballs out of the freezer and placed them in a dish by the stove. We returned to find the dish where we left it, but no meatballs (surprise!). Several months later she visited again – this time putting a baked ham in the same dish the meatballs had been stolen from. Having to again leave the house, I wisely hid the ham in the laundry room. Nevertheless, we came home to find it, along with the glass dish, in the family room! How did Cooper get the dish off the dryer without breaking the glass? Where was all the grease? Only Cooper knew for sure and he wasn’t telling. But my wild, young Lab was training me… Next time I’ll remember to close the laundry room door.” -Mary Campisi

Review: The multiple stories in this book form a complete story of hope, of forgiveness, of tolerance, and of love. In my volunteer work as a dog rescuer, I am always amazed by the willingness of animals who have been starved, neglected, and abused by human hands, to reach out to human hands; they still trust that a pat, a belly rub, an ear scratch, a simple of act of kindness, will be forthcoming. This book so clearly shows the tremendous heart of Labs and of the people whose lives are enriched by loving them.

You don't have to be a lab owner to love this book; it is a great read for any animal lover. Best of all, proceeds from this (and other Happy Tails books) benefit the groups who rescue these sweet and deserving animals. -C. Arner

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Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Dachshunds

Excerpt: "As I reentered the kitchen, I saw everyone huddled around Wilbur, just staring at him. It turns out he found a 6-pack of Jell-O® in the back of the fridge, climbed in, and pulled out the treasure. There he stood in the middle of the kitchen, removing the foil tops from each container and then passing them out like an ice cream truck driver passes out ice cream. Delilah and Bully were already enjoying their treats while my other two Doxies waited patiently in line. For a second I thought that Wilbur was going to turn around and ask them for twenty-five cents!” - Helen LaBuda

Review: I found the stories to be interesting, funny, poignant, and very entertaining… Many made me laugh while many made me cry. One funny one described people with MDS...or Multiple Dachshund Syndrome because we know that once you have one of us, two or three more is even better. I hope you all will look into Happy Tails Books--Stories of Hope and find one or more breeds you are interested in and will purchase a book as all the money goes to help these kinds of dogs as well as to help fight animal cruelty. –Ms. M., Bookin’ with Bingo

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Lost Souls: Found! Inspirational Stories of Adopted Boston Terriers

Excerpt:“When I’d come home from work, my Boston Terrier Dylan was so overwhelmed with joy that he would jump up and bite me. To protect myself without killing his enthusiasm, I got inventive and shoved a toy in his mouth from a bucket I kept outside my door. After a month, Dylan began greeting me at the door, bringing me his own toy. On one occasion, I entered the house expecting to find my overly excited Boston with a toy in his mouth but instead he sat there ready to hand me the cordless phone! It turns out it was the only toy he could find. Some people may have been upset about the slobber on the buttons but I considered it “making progress!” -Jami David

Review: "Grab a box of tissues! I promise you will laugh AND cry. Many, many wonderful stories of rescued Boston Terriers. And many good tips as well. This is just a fabulous, heart-warming, heart-LIFTing little book that packs a punch and yanks on your heartstrings. If you love dogs and even if you don't, you will love this book. The stories are short and easy to read...very well put together. And though you may sit down to read one or two, you won't want to put it down!" - Shelley J.

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Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Golden Retrievers

Excerpt: "As I stepped through the door and onto the cold concrete floor, I was practically bowled over by a huge Golden, barreling towards me at full-speed! As he humped my leg and chewed on my forearm I looked around the sterile room, bare except for a dog crate, food bowl, and water bowl. Through the sliding glass doors I could see that the Scotties had a wonderful yard to play in, so why was this Golden stuck in the basement like this? There was no way I was leaving him there." - Shereen Raucci, about Pierce

Review: I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. I have been in rescue for over 10 years the last 3 with Love a Golden Rescue in St. Louis. Each story was so touching, some with sad endings but many with happy endings. We have adopted four goldens over the years, each one just wonderful. Thank you for your support of rescue! -Michele Swanson, St. Charles, MO

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News:

Are you thinking about joining a dog rescue group? Have you considered fostering? Learn about dog rescue through a first-hand account HERE!

NEW SECTION! Our new "Animal Advocacy" blog will help keep you up-to-date on puppy mill legislation and the important work being done by animal advocates.