Inside Abandoned: Dreiffus

It is almost October, which is National Adopt-A-Dog Month!

Today, I am sharing an individual dog’s photographs and story from my forthcoming book, ABANDONED: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs, released on October 1, 2024.

In ABANDONED, each dog’s story is emblematic of the 2.2 million dog adoptions that take place in this country each year—but they are also a reminder that due to our dog overpopulation crisis, 1 million rescues do not result in adoption annually.

Pictured immediately above on the left is Dreifuss’ photograph before adoption; and pictured on the right Dreyfuss’ photograph after adoption. Driefuss was renamed “Dreyfuss.” Roughly one year separates the two above photographs.

In Winter 2014, Dreifuss, an Orange Labrador Mix, was transferred from Tennessee to a local Maryland rescue in connection with a cruel dog hoarding case via the Animal Rescue Corps—Operation Mending Hearts. He was missing his left front leg and suffered from carpal valgus, a condition in which the limb deviates outward from the midline below the knee.

After eight months in the rescue, he was adopted and renamed “Dreyfuss.” “Many people backed out of adopting Dreyfuss because they felt he would be difficult due to being a special needs dog,” his new human companion reported. “I felt he deserved a loving home just like any other rescue dog.”

Like so many rescue dogs, Dreyfuss overcame great obstacles and taught his new family many life lessons. “He has brought nothing but love to our family,” the companion continued.  “Dreyfuss is not a dog to feel sorry for, but a dog that inspires us every day to push through anything.”

Dreifuss/Dreyfuss is just one example from ABANDONED illustrating how dog rescue and adoption not only changes the lives of the dogs, but it simultaneously enriches the lives of the human companions as well. My sincere hope is that ABANDONED helps compel people to consider dog rescue and adoption, helping many dogs in need find permanent, loving homes, especially with our current dog overpopulation crisis in this country.

31 people endorsed ABANDONED including: Dr. Jane Goodall, Sally Mann, Susan Orlean, and John Grogan, to name a few, along with other New York Times bestselling authors, artists, and Presidents of large dog rescue and animal welfare organizations. 

And, if you have not pre-ordered your copy of ABANDONED, I hope you will consider ordering ABANDONED today, as pre-orders are vital for authors and to the book’s success! Many thanks for your support!

I am donating a portion of my royalties, earned from the sales of this book, to the SPCA International, helping dogs in need around the globe. You can read more here and here.