100 Dogs and Counting

One Hundred Dogs and Counting

Cara Achhterberg

Rating: 5 stars

If I were to use one word to describe One Hundred Dogs and Counting by Cara Achterberg, it would be: Inspiring.

One Hundred Dogs provides an honest first-hand narrative into the world of animal rescue and fostering. Cara is an animal advocate, foster mom and award-winning writer, and her expertise is absolutely unmatched when it comes to the trials and triumphs of fostering.

In her latest book, the follow up to Another Good Dog, Cara tackles questions that rescuers, shelter workers and fosters ask themselves every day: “Am I doing enough?” “Am I making a difference?” and offers up her own personal anecdotes to help put our minds at ease. In a world where problems seem to pile up faster than solutions and compassion fatigue hides behind every corner, Cara assures fosters, rescuers and volunteers that we are needed now more than ever to help dogs all over the country and that every single person involved makes a difference (even your family members who are also forced into fostering and smile through it) .  

Through Cara’s lens, we get a look into her triumphs and troubles while fostering 100 (yes, you read that right, ONE HUNDRED) dogs through Operation Paws for Homes in hopes of finding them forever homes. Her stories capture each dog’s personality perfectly, and it is refreshing to read that Cara is not afraid to tell it like it is. 

Is rescue and foster always fun, cute puppies? 

No. 

Will you (and your family) make countless sacrifices to help a seemingly never-ending problem? 

Yes.

Will you spend time doing glamourous press opportunities for your cause, just to go home and clean the poop off the floor? 

Most likely. 

Not only does Cara dedicate her home to her foster dogs, but she even takes the time to bring much-needed supplies and donations to southern shelters (an area quite possibly in the need of most help when it comes to over-crowding and the need for more resources and education), and to learn more about the crisis these shelter heroes face every day. 

The honest tales of her fosters and travels will have readers feeling a roller coaster of emotions. I was anxious, sad, happy, surprised, you name it. These stories range from heartwarming to heartbreaking. At one point I even found myself cheering out loud for one dog in particular - sweet, but troubled, Gala. It is in Gala’s story that we realize how complex the fostering relationship can be between human and dog. But Cara’s unwavering honesty and perseverance goes to show just how deeply she cares about each dog that passes through her home, no matter how long they need a roof over their head. Through 100 Dogs, we learn the true meaning of unconditional love, hope and heroism. 

Overall, One Hundred Dogs and Counting is an absolute must-read for anyone in the animal welfare industries. 

Learn more about Cara and her work by visiting her website.