Hope – How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life

Featuring Rodney, McMuffin and King Whacker

By: Niall Harbison

Narrated by: Niall Harbison

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Most people think I save dogs, but really they saved me.

Niall Harbison is a dog hero based in Thailand. He spends his days feeding, caring for and rescuing the many street dogs he comes across. With every rescue there’s a story. Like the sweet gentle McMuffin who was found with many tumours and hours from death, only to be nursed back to health. She now lives with Niall and is a popular member of the pack. Then there is King Whacker – who escaped a vicious attack and is now ruling the nest living up to his name as the king of the all good dogs. And who could resist the puppy eyes of little Rodney, the beautiful dog with big paws who is melting millions of hearts around the world.

Originally from Dublin, Niall was the owner of a successful advertising company. After selling it, he moved to Thailand where his addictions – drugs and alcohol – almost got the better of him. One day he woke up in hospital, close to death, and realised that something had to change. And that was what spurred him on to start saving and helping street dogs. His aim is to help 10,000 street dogs.

This is his story.

©2023 Niall Harbison

Critic reviews

‘A redemptive story’ Sunday Express

‘It’s only in writing his book that Harbison has made the connection between being there for the island’s dogs … and the deep feeling of child abandonment’ Guardian

‘Hope is a lovely book about someone who has been lucky enough to find his true purpose in life’ Daily Mail

‘…hope in the unlikeliest of places’ Daily Express

‘It’s a gentle poignant read’ Irish Independent

Love this man and what his does for the dogs!

It was so interesting to hear his story and how he rose from the ashes to be an Angel to these dogs!!

inspiring

I have been a fan of Niall's since a video of his rescue of Derek showed up in my feed. I enjoyed listening to this in his own voice. it is inspiring to say the least. I love dogs, i have 7 rescue dogs of my own and I will always adopt seniors. the only thing I beg of Niall is please don't send dogs to the United States. If he ready this. Millions of dogs end up in high kill shelters there and about 2 million healthy dogs are euthanised each year in thay country. I promise you that you can find an awesome dog at a local shelter!!!

I want to do this work in the country of Georgia where there are millions of mistreated and homeless.

thank you for emphasizing mass sterilization programs. this is the only real solution.

Love this man and his message

Who doesn’t love a good life turning around story? Niall has one of the best I’ve ever heard.

Inspiring and beautifully told.

I follow Niall Harbison's account on social media and feel like I already know all of these dogs and it was a joy reading about their stories and also about Niall's road to recovery in more detail. I think you will get more out of this book if you follow him on Instagram, YouTube or even the nightmare site that is Twitter. The audio is read beautifully by the author. Definitely recommended but I believe the book has photos which the audio does not so you might want to check that out first if you're unfamiliar with the dogs. Any way you discover the stories, I think you'll be inspired by these stories of survival, heartbreak and hope.

Encouraging personal insights

The book is so easy to read, I couldn’t put it down. Niall shares struggles and victories in a way that’s so engaging, actually, The reader can relate and take hope from. Thank you for the experience.