Dogtripping

25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Jeff Steitzer

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

When best-selling mystery writer David Rosenfelt and his family moved from Southern California to Maine, he thought he had prepared for everything. They had mapped the route, brought three GPSs for backup, as well as refrigerators full of food, and stoves and microwaves on which to cook them. But traveling with 25 dogs turned out to be a bigger ordeal than he anticipated, despite RVs, the extra kibble, volunteers (including a few readers), and camping equipment.

Rosenfelt recounts the adventure of moving his animal companions across the United States with humor and warmth, and tells the tale of how he and his wife became passionate foster parents for rescue dogs, culminating in the creation of the Tara Foundation and successfully placing several thousand dogs with loving families.

David Rosenfelt, a native of Paterson, NJ, is a graduate of NYU. He was a former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures before becoming a novelist. Narrator Jeff Steitzer has appeared on Broadway in "Inherit The Wind" and "Mary Poppins" in regional threaters around the country, and is the Multiplayer Announcer for all HALO video Games.

©2013 Tara Productions, Inc. (P)2013 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Jeff Steitzer's deep, pleasant voice is enjoyable to listen to, and he aptly portrays the couple's fervent devotion to the task of rescuing dogs from shelters. His pacing and intonation help to keep the listener in the story of how the couple came to amass so many dogs, the varied personalities of their canine family members, and the way they managed to transfer their household cross-country via recreational vehicles and a team of fellow dog enthusiasts. Listeners who are dog lovers will be inspired.” (Audiofile)

I hated to have it end - wonderful story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it to several friends because it is such a great story. Dog rescue is such an emotional process - and the fact that they were able to manage to rescue so many and remain so positive is amazing. The humor, genuine emotion and teaching moments in the story kept my interest all the way through. I found myself not wanting to listen as it got close to the end. But then just had to turn it on to see what would happen next.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dogtripping?

I loved the story about the young man who was able to move back home once he had a dog in his life - and one that was inches away from being put down.

What does Jeff Steitzer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed the sound of the emotions in his voice. It added quite a bit to the general enjoyment. Sometimes the words were ambivalent as to what emotion was behind them, but the sounds of respect, reflection, sorrow and joy in the voice allowed me to participate more fully.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried - making listening while driving a bit challenging at times.

Any additional comments?

I hope they plan to move across country again - with another journal of the trip forthcoming.

Skip it

While I found it admirable that so many dogs were rescued, but the book was tedious and the author’s constant complaining was unbearable. And I will never listen to a book again with this narrator.

DOGS DOGS DOGS

If you could sum up Dogtripping in three words, what would they be?

Lots of Dogs.

Any additional comments?

I liked the way the stories of the different dogs were woven into the story. I think that a bit more of the story could have focused on the trip.

Delightful & Heart Warming

I have read most of David Rosenfelt’s books and have enjoyed them all. The AndyCarpenter series is by far my favorite. Dogtripping was an unexpectedly delightful look into the real life world of Mr. Rosenfelt and well worth the listen. It is funny and poignant and crazy. I loved it and I would love an adventure like this with this crew.

Andy Carpenter Would Stand Up and Cheer

A fun trip across country with David Rosenfelt, his wife Debby, a troop of dog loving comrades and all those dogs! The dog rescue stories integrated with the actual trip make this a great listen for any animal loving reader. And now I know the real identity of Andy Carpenter.

A heartwarming joy to listen to.

I loved this book. There were many relatable experiences that I never thought were funny until now. Being married to the president of the board for 2 animal no kill shelters And realising that we're Foster Failures. Having 7 dogs 7 cats An inherited parrot and 2 parakeets not to mention our favorite stray cat. I saw through David that our pets are our therapy in this crazy world. I especially liked the "Home Depot" experience in his story. Thank you David R. for sharing your story.

Dogtripping

loved the ending a normal number of dogs ... pause say 15...love it. I enjoyed the book very much. You have lived the life I wish I had. To rescue and save animals. I love dogs but I live with 13 rescue cats. A hoot to say the least.

I cried, laughed and loved this book

What did you love best about Dogtripping?

First, I am a big fan of David Rosenfelt especially in his Andy Carpenter's series. When this book came out, I was excited because I want to know more about his love for dogs. The book is awesome as he described some of his rescued dogs and the trip across the country. David and his wife are good people with good hearts. I like him even more after I read this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I love dogs and to hear how they rescued dogs that had no hope in shelters is awesome. It inspired me to volunteer and help Humane Society.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried. Some idiots (as Rosenfelt called) can hurt their dogs and just abandoned them without any second thoughts. There are too many idiots and as a result there are too many poor dogs left at shelters across the country.

Any additional comments?

Just get this book and you would love it. I also think it would make you a better person after reading it as well.

An incredible read. Poignant story’s about Rosenfelt and his love for Golden Retrievers and all dogs in general

If you like David Rosenfelt’s mysteries you will also love his true life adventure of driving 29 older dogs from Southern California to Maine all in one trip. The book is read well by Jeff Steitzer who has read Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter mysteries.

Woofabago Leads the Way

What did you love best about Dogtripping?

OMG! It was so engaging and hilarious! I loved the way David peppered the trip story with side bars about all of his and Deb's dogs in their life. I felt like I was on the trip with them (and wish I really had been!).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Oh gosh! I can't pick! I loved them all!

Have you listened to any of Jeff Steitzer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, but I definitely will be from now on. Jeff has a great story telling voice and sounded very comfortable with reading.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several moments- when David shared stories about some of the doggies he and Deb rescued who had been abused, neglected, and had gone through some horrible times.

Any additional comments?

IF you love dogs (and all animals) and always wanted to take that road trip with your fur babies, this is the book for you! David's writing, and Jeff's narrating, really bring the trip alive and made me feel like I was on one of the RVs with the crazy crew! The fact that someone with celebrity and success chooses to spend their life loving and saving helpless animals without wanting fame and fortune makes David and his wife Deb, AND the trip crew!, my heroes.

Besides, the book is just plain funny and easy to follow. Again, my most favorite way to read has done it again and given me an enjoyable book to "read". This book is just FUN!