A few weeks ago, my Aunt Helen sent me a book called Rescue Road knowing that anything animal rescue related is probably up my alley. My colleague and friend, bestselling author, Teresa Rhyne had endorsed it too. She told me “It’s actually really really good.” Since I trust Teresa, I cracked the book.

Not only did I think it was great, but I also learned a lot and have a deepened respect for the people on the front lines in animal rescue.

Rescue Road tells the story of Greg Mahle who lives in Ohio and travels to the Deep South/Gulf Coast every other week (each month without fail). The purpose of his trip is to pick up approximately 80 shelter dogs whose lives have been spared, and deliver them to their eagerly awaiting adopted families in the Northeast. The process is nothing short of miraculous and entails endless planning between Greg, his family who works behind the scenes, Tom his right hand man on road trips, the rescue groups and shelters in the south and the rescue groups in the northeast.

To date, he has transported over 30,000 dogs to safety.

The book came about when journalist Peter Zheutlin got curious about how his own dog Albie made it safely to the northeast and where, and under what conditions, he had lived prior. Really, how did his dog, one of millions in the system, get lucky and make it out alive?

To answer that question, Peter asked Greg if he could ride along on a trip to see what the process entailed. He showed up at Greg’s house a few days before Greg would set out on the road for a “Rescue Road Trip” and saw that even the physical prep work getting the trailer ready for the dogs took days and dedicated help from Greg’s family.

Once the truck and paperwork were ready, Peter joined Greg and Tom en route to Louisiana and Texas, the main pick up points where they would be met by shelter and rescue workers. The southern shelters are brimming with adoptable pets and for many of them, this is their only chance out. I knew that the south has a huge animal overpopulation, particularly in the most impoverished areas. I just had no idea just how horrendous it was.  These rescue organizations are connected with organizations in the Northeast who hold adoption events and promote dogs online on their local websites as well as on Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet.

Greg has outfitted a truck and trailer to accommodate up to 80 dogs. Tom helps with all the transport duties (and there are many!) as well as making sure someone is always in the truck to keep an eye on the dogs….(even when Greg or Tom just runs in for a quick bathroom break). Along the way there are groups of Rescue Road Trip Angels who know when and where Greg will be stopping and they help Greg and Tom walk the dogs and clean out their kennels along the way. Truly Angels.

I’m condensing a really great book and a really great story and a really great cause down to a blog. I highly recommend, if you want some proof that there are awesome people doing amazing things in the world, that  you read Rescue Road. You may shed a tear along the way, but you will end with a smile, just like Greg does every other week when he unites these deserving dogs with their new families.

There are countless unsung heroes in this animal rescue world and Peter does a fine job giving you a glimpse of their selfless deeds. He sheds a little light not solely on the horrors that these dogs endure, but also on the helpers, all of whom deserve way more than the kudos that they receive.

Thank you Peter for sharing this story. Thank you Greg and everyone else involved. Thank you to the families who see a photo and a description of a dog across the country, fall in love and make a commitment to loving them forever. You all make an enormous difference to Pets People and the Planet.

My new book, What to Expect When Adopting a Dog, will be released in September 2016. Anyone even considering adopting a dog (whether locally or through an organization that transports dogs like Rescue Road Trips) will benefit from the tips, anecdotes and expert advise in the book. Stay tuned!