• Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself

  • A Man and His Dog's Struggle to Find Salvation
  • By: Zachary Anderegg, Pete Nelson
  • Narrated by: David Marantz
  • Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (263 ratings)

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Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself

By: Zachary Anderegg, Pete Nelson
Narrated by: David Marantz
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Editorial reviews

In Zachary Anderegg's touching memoir, Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself, the former US Marine sergeant recounts his heroic tale of saving a starving, abused puppy from the bottom of an Arizona canyon - and ties the act back to his own experience with bullying as a child. Brutally honest, Anderegg's story is a tale of suffering, and also of redemption: In rescuing Riley, Zak was able to overcome his own personal obstacles. Voice actor David Marantz's sympathetic narration helps make this inspiring tale a powerful listening experience.

Publisher's summary

While hiking on a solo vacation in a remote, uninhabitable region of Arizona, Zachary Anderegg happened upon Riley, an emaciated puppy clinging to life, at the bottom of a 350-foot canyon. In a daring act of humanity that trumped the deliberate savagery behind Riley’s presence in such a place, Zak single-handedly orchestrated a delicate rescue.

What didn’t come out in the initial burst of publicity this story received is that Zak and Riley’s destinies were intertwined long before they improbably found each other. For much of Zak’s childhood, he was at the bottom of a veritable canyon himself - a canyon whose imprisoning depth and darkness was created by bullies who just wouldn’t quit and parents who weren’t capable of love. From the age of five, Zak was everyone’s favorite target.

When Zak came upon Riley, the puppy’s condition bespoke his abusers’ handiwork - three shotgun pellets embedded beneath his skin, teeth turned permanently black from malnutrition. The meeting was one of a man and a dog singularly suited to save each other. As a former US Marine sergeant, Zak was one of only a few people with the mettle and physical wherewithal to get Riley out. And in rescuing him, Zak was also attempting to save himself, conquering the currents of cruelty that swelled beneath his early life and always threatened to drown him.

©2013 Zachary Anderegg and Pete Nelson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Bullying has consequences

This is a must read book for anyone who works with kids or who has been bullied or abused in their lives. It is a book that should be read by every parent as far too often parents don’t really know what’s going on in their kids lives. There is so much happening in our world where people seem to think it’s their right to attack other people just to make themselves feel better or stronger. Even though the author was bullied during a time where there was not the ease of social media the effects of bullying on his life can be found in any person who has been bullied by others. Even the teachers would not step in to help him in anyway. His parents weren’t there for him or made it worse the one time his mother went to school with him. As an educator and a court appointed special advocate for foster children I found this book to be excellent and looking at the long range affects that bullying has or abuse has during someone’s formative years on their whole life.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Needs More

It was interesting especially the struggle Zachary had growing up. My heart ached for him and as a child I wanted to hug him and let him know he was loved. However the story drops after he took the dog home from the vet. I would have loved to learn more about how Riley adjusted and became part of the family. Seemed to skip over that part. But overall was a good listen!

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

It's not about the dog.

What disappointed you about Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself?

I thought this book was a journey about a dog's tale of abuse and recovery. Instead, it was about the tale of the author's abuse and recovery. While I do not want to belittle his story for it is a story that will help many, I bought this book to learn about Riley's journey. With the exception of getting her out of the canyon and initial vet visits, there is very little about Riley. I will be asking for my credit back. Sorry Zachary

What could Zachary Anderegg and Pete Nelson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Talk more about Riley's recovery process, the little successes she achieved on her rode to health. The healing of her mind and spirit.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, the fact that Zachary cared enough to save him! Thank you!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Where were the teachers???

As a retired teacher, this was SO DISTURBING. Bullying this intense would have been clear to any teacher that pays attention.
Glad the dog survived, but I took very little away from this book about a dog rescue... just adults who majorly failed this young man.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful book

narrator is easy to listen to, story is compelling. I will listen again soon. loved this book!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful. I could relate on so many levels.

Loved it. From being bullied to loving & rescuing dogs. Each experience prepares us for another.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

bullying

Was Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself worth the listening time?

This book should be promoted as more of a bullying book, rather than a dog rescue story. Interesting but misleading that it's really about the dog.It's way too stong about his childhood.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The man is a living angel but…

The story is good but what kinda took the air out of this book was the narrator.. I think it’s worth a listen if only to know that there are absolute angels walking among us… how this man saved Riley is just unbelievably heart wrenching!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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Not about the dog

Glad the dog was saved, but didn't like the narrative of life events that were not related to the story. Felt book description was not a good account of what the story truly was.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very insightful and Optimistic

This story really illustrates the widespread and lifelong damage that bullying often causes and how easily it can be perpetuated. The parallel story of saving Riley and how it subsequently saves Zachary is beautiful. It gives hope to those who have been victimized that they can heal, and that a much happier and rewarding life is possible.

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