The Possibility Dogs

What a Handful of 'Unadoptables' Taught Me about Service, Hope, and Healing

By: Susannah Charleson

Narrated by: Susannah Charleson

Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the critically acclaimed bestseller, Scent of the Missing, comes a heartwarming and inspiring story that shows how dogs can be rescued and can rescue in return.

For her first book, Susannah Charleson was praised for her unique insight into the kinship between humans and dogs, as revealed through canine search and rescue. In The Possibility Dogs Charleson chronicles her journey into the world of psychiatric-service and therapy dogs trained to serve the human mind, a journey that began as a personal one. After a particularly grisly search led to a struggle with PTSD, Charleson credits healing to her partnership with search dog Puzzle. Inspired by that experience and having met dogs formally trained to assist in such crises, Charleson learns to identify abandoned dogs with service potential, often plucking them from shelters at the last minute, and to train them for work beside hurting partners, to whom these second-chance dogs bring intelligence, comfort, and hope.

From black Lab puppy Merlin, once cast away in a garbage bag, who stabilizes his partner’s panic attacks to Ollie, the blind and deaf terrier who soothes anxious children, to Jake Piper, the starving pit bull mix who goes from abandoned to irreplaceable, The Possibility Dogs illuminates a whole new world of canine potential.

©2013 Susannah Charleson (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

Powerful stories

At first, some of the back stories were very difficult to hear - mistreatment of animals sickens me. But to hear of dogs not only saved from terrible circumstances, but going on to help people in amazing ways was very inspiring. I also enjoyed learning more about the training process. The author beautifully weaves the stories of dogs & humans, including her own journey. She also does a masterful job of narration.

Salve to the soul

First, I LOVE Susannah’s voice. Not only are her stories well told and interesting, her voice is soothing. It feels like you’re just sitting chatting together,not just being “read to” I so admire ppl who take on the huge job and sacrifice of training service dogs. As a retired Vet tech,foster and rescuer I cherish each of her books as they bring back memories good and painful.

Inspirational

Every rescuer and dog owner should read this book. So much valuable insight. I truly feel the "possibilities" are endless of how much good this book can supply.

Susannah, Loved this book

Wow, what a great book.. I liked that you went thru the variety of breeds.
So my two boxers (two yrs apart) died within a week of each other. We had adopted two children two years before ages 1 and 3 who fell deeply in love with Stormy and Patsy. They lived to ages 10 and 12. We couldn’t get a dog for at least a year and a half.
Instead we adopted a cat. He ruled the house and could cause my other sons ranch dog to cower.
A year and a half later my 7 yr old son asked to go on a date with me in the UTV. We went by the animal shelter and he saw what he thought was a German Shepherd. We stopped to look at it, and it was a Belgian Malenois…no way at 70 was I going to attempt that one. As we left, a High School volunteer asked us to take a look at Astra, a one year old female, black with white marking dog. Breed guessed at was Pit Bull/Great Dane. I told my son we would go home and pray about it. We visited again and went home to think about it. The previous owners had Astra and her brother. I think they didn’t want to pay to get her spayed.
She is one smart girl. She sit/stays, heels, shakes, plays dead dog. When we brought her home, she went in a crouching position to meet the cat, the cat walked up and smacked her in the muzzle with her paw. They sleep together in Astras kennel at night with the door open.
Thanks for sharing some of the things you do with your dogs. We are working on door now.
Had her DNA and health risk tested. Astra is 1/3 American Staffordshire Terrier, 1/3 Pit Bull And 1/3 Boxer. Her health is very good….she is a God dog.

Thank you

In preparing my search and training of my own psych dog, this was nice first reading. Look forward to the journey

Wonderful work!

Beautiful story about rescue dogs...a little sadder than I anticipated but still a very good story and wonderful work. Dogs are so much smarter than we give them credit for!

beautiful

In turns moving, hilarious, and fascinating. Beautifully read. Recommending it to anyone curious about dogs and/or mental illness, but really it's a book anyone seems likely to enjoy. Entirely wonderful.

Excellent

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that it ended too soon it was excellent and I was sad when it was over. I think Susanna Charleston is amazing!

Best dog book author ever!

She throws in some amazing training tips in these books along with real life stories that she has come to life with her narrations. Hoping for more books from Susannah Charleson.

Love

I love all her books! Candid- Charming- written with love and compassion. I listen and learn repeatedly.