Book ~ "Incredibull Stella: How the Love of a Pit Bull Rescued a Family" (2019) Marika Meeks and Elizabeth Ridley

From Goodreads ~ While recovering from a serious illness, Marika Meeks adopted an abandoned pit bull puppy and named her Stella. Together, they healed each other ...

Marika Meeks fell in love with Stella the moment she saw her. The adorable pit bull puppy had been abandoned in a cold field in winter - but her warm, friendly eyes and boundless affection could melt anyone's heart. Even so, Marika wasn't sure she was ready to adopt a dog. As a busy entrepreneur, wife and mother of two daughters, Marika's life was crazy already. She was recovering from Stage 3 breast cancer, and her family was still reeling from her brush with mortality. But Marika couldn't deny the way Stella made her feel - the pure joy of this sweet-natured dog's unconditional love - and she knew in her heart what her family needed.

In a leap of faith, the Meekses welcomed Stella into their home, and thanks to this incredible dog, the daily pressures of work, stress, and Marika's health problems seemed to slip away. As Marika's cancer receded and her family found renewed vitality, she began sharing Stella's story with the world. Now an international social media star, Stella helps Marika to spread their heartfelt message of advocating for pit bull breed awareness, explaining the benefits of pet ownership, and supporting shelters and other organizations that save animals' lives.

I love reading books about animals and how could I resist the picture of Stella on the cover of this book?!

Marika was a mother, wife and owner of some restaurants in Indiana.  She discovered she had breast cancer when she was in her forties and got treatment for it.  She was considered cancer-free but still carried the emotional baggage regarding her mortality along with the insecurities of her childhood.  Though Brian, her second husband, had made it clear when they got married a couple years ago that he didn't want to ever have a dog, she suddenly yearned to have one.

Marika found Stella, a pit bull puppy, a couple years later in 2016 and was drawn to her.  Brian wanted her to be happy and stressfree and the family adopted Stella.  Despite the reputation that pit bulls have, Stella is a sweet and caring dog.  Marika realized how much calmer and less anxious she is when she is with Stella and had her certified as an emotional support animal.

In an attempt to "give back", Marika and her family start fostering pit bulls.  Marika also wants to raise awareness that pit bulls don't deserve their reputation and to encourage others to adopt rescue animals.

I liked this book and the writing style.  I thought it was interesting and found there was a good balance between Marika's story, Stella's story, the positive awareness of pit bulls and encouraging the adoption of rescue animals (I volunteer with a cat rescue). 

For more information, you can check out Marika and Stella's website, Facebook page, Twitter account and Instagram account.

Here are some pictures from her book ... look at that face!!

Book ~ "Saving Sadie: How a Dog That No One Wanted Inspired the World" (2017) Joal Derse Dauer and Elizabeth Ridley

From Goodreads ~ Joal Derse Dauer was just donating blankets at a local no-kill shelter when a disabled and despondent dog caught her eye. With three "fur babies" already at home, Joal wasn't looking to adopt another dog. But there was something special about Sadie, a shepherd mix who had been shot in the head and in the back and left for dead in the hills of Kentucky after giving birth. One gaze into those sorrowful eyes and Joal vowed to do everything possible to get the pitiful creature walking again. 

 The first three vets offered little hope for Sadie and two even recommended euthanasia. But with patience, hope and plenty of love, Joal noticed a change in her canine companion. And somewhere along the difficult journey, she discovered that sweet Sadie had transformed her life in ways she never could have imagined. 

Now, media darlings Joal and Sadie are spreading their message of compassion, acceptance, and kindness around the world. Joyous and inspiring, "Saving Sadie" is a triumphant story about the power of unconditional love and second chances - for humans and animals alike. 

I love reading stories about animals and that's why this one caught my attention.

Joal has a big heart where animals are concerned and donated to animal shelters.  She was donating to one and saw a dog named Sadie who had just given birth to puppies and was then shot between her eyes and in her back (leaving her paralyzed) and left to die in the woods in Kentucky.  Though vets suggested that the dog be euthanized, Joal felt Sadie deserved a chance and took her home for a day.  That day became a month, which became forever.

Joal put a lot of time, effort and heart into making Sadie the best she could be.  Sadie receives therapy including acupuncture, aqua puncture, cranial sacral, chiropractic, laser, e-stim, Power Plate and infrared therapy and is no longer fecally or urinary incontinent.

Along the way, Joal realized that not only was Sadie changing but so was she.  Their catchphrase became "Think about what you can do, not what you can't do - just like Sadie does" and they took up the banner of the anti-bullying movement.  Sadie has been featured in newspapers, radio, TV and even had a presence at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

I liked the writing style and thought it flowed well.  I found Joal honest in her love of animals and her devotion of Sadie.

You can donate to help Sadie walk again and to her ongoing therapies here.