Many fans of Lori Fusaro’s photography know the story of Sunny, the 16-year-old dog she adopted from a crowded Los Angeles County animal shelter in 2012. Because of what terrible condition Sunny seemed to be in physically, my wife Lori and I thought she might last in our home for a couple of weeks max — but Sunny had other plans.
Once in our home and free from that shelter Sunny blossomed. Even our Veterinarian was amazed by her incredible 180-degree return to life. She lived another vibrant two and a half years enjoying her new life with all of us; this includes our cats, Enzo and Francis, and our dog, Gabby. Rather than being a burden Sunny contributed more life and amusement into our home. Sunny’s transformation prompted Lori to launch a photography project to change people’s perceptions of senior shelter animals. This caught the attention of TODAY show writer Laura Coffey who wrote a story about Lori’s photography project for TODAY.com in 2013. The two of them hit it off and it ultimately led them to create the book “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” which has just been released, September 2015.
Lori and Laura traveled all across the United States meeting endearing elders who, although rescued late in life, proved to have incredible second acts. Here are just a few you’ll meet along with Sunny in “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” Marnie, the irresistible shih tzu who has posed for selfies with Tina Fey, James Franco, and Betty White; Remy, a soulful nine-year-old dog adopted by elderly nuns; George Clooney s cocker spaniel, Einstein; Bretagne, the last known surviving search dog from Ground Zero; and Duval, a great listener who has inspired kids to read.
Looking at Lori’s heartwarming photographs along with reading each story by Laura is like enjoying a feel good movie; I can’t help but love these dogs and the people who rescued them. This book is a great gift to give to yourself. Now available on Amazon and at a bookseller near you.
“If you love dogs, or if you like dogs, or if you’ve ever heard of dogs, or if you’re from planet Earth, you will love this book.”
— David Rosenfelt, author of Dogtripping and Lessons from Tara
“A truly heartwarming celebration.”
— Jackson Galaxy, host of Animal Planet’s My Cat from Hell
“My Old Dog is a truly wonderful book....Every story reminds me just how resilient dogs are and how strong the human-animal bond can be.”
— Victoria Stilwell, dog behavior expert and star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog
“This book is a loving celebration of old dogs and of radiant souls that shine through aging eyes.”
— Francis Battista, cofounder of Best Friends Animal Society
“This book is a wonderful tribute to our ‘sizzlin’ seniors’!”
— Jill Rappaport, animal advocate and NBC News correspondent
“I fell in love with these dogs, and their stories serve to remind us that old dogs are like fine wine — they only get better with age. Four paws up!”
— Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association
“This exquisite, eye-opening book needs a place on every dog lover’s shelf.”
— Maria Goodavage, New York Times–bestselling author of Soldier Dogs and Top Dog
Cartoonist Darrell Fusaro is the co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?