Rescue Matters: Four years. Four thousand dogs. An incredible true story of rescue and redemption.

I loved the book. It is an emotional read. I follow TMAR on Facebook and love what you are doing.

Thank you for sharing this story about TMAR. Keith & his group of Angels are amazing. Keith…. Your statement, “ Keith is made of the stuff that builds empires”. Was perfect. Thank you Keith & TMAR for caring so much. 🐾❤️

This book is was so wonderful, that I read it from front to back in one sitting. I could not put it down! I also bought 7 more to send to friends and gift to my local animal rescue friends! Thank you for sharing Keith/TMAR’s story, CJ! ♥️

This book was so well-written, and so informative of what rescue is really like. I don't know how people do it year after year! Kudo's to the folks who do such heartbreaking and honorable work. I often cried while reading this, and following the links online. As soon as I get our stimulus check I will be donating to TMAR and also to Souris Valley Animal Rescue in Minot where we adopted a Lab cross that came with serious behavioral issues due to her past, but has become a wonderful part of the family (3 years already). The first 3 months we had her I often thought, "What have we done?" as my injuries piled up due to things like her suddenly bolting and pulling my joints halfway out of socket, or standing on her back legs and beating us up with her front legs, etc etc. - so many fears and acting out. But, i knew she was a good dog at heart, and continued on. It was a long journey, and she still isn't 'perfect', but then no dog is. We accept our dogs with their idiosyncrasies, and accept their limitations that exist due to the harm from their past life. Our lovely Lab continues to grow more and more. Just when we think she has reached her limit of change, she changes more, and falls deeper in love with us, and us with her. The book RESCUE MATTERS shows so strongly that, just like we are not perfect, neither can we expect a perfect dog. Oh, by the way, when we went to get our Lab (many hours drive), someone else got there to adopt her before we arrived. I was heartbroken. I had fallen in love with her picture, and wanted just HER. Thankfully they decided not to take her because she jumped on them. As if that should be a disqualifier! But, it meant I got to take her home! -- Again, I loved this book! Thank you for writing it!

I’m an insomniac. I also am an animal lover and care for dogs professionally. Somehow the world of Facebook algorithms connected my to the nightly live-streams from TMAR. I immediately found myself immersed in the world of Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue and, especially, the kindness and compassion of its founder, Keith Benning. Now there is a growing group of us from Massachusetts who tune in nightly to follow the paths of the animals lucky enough to find themselves in TMAR’s garage: pups with mange, mamma dogs and their pups, injured items... the list goes on and on.I mention this because in an effort to find out more, and to help, I arrived at “Rescue Matters” by C.J English. Holy cow, what lies in these pages is an eye opening journey into the world of animal rescue in an environment that Also needs rescue in many other ways (government funding, jobs, etc.). We learn about Keith Benning’s toughness/kindness/human frailty/compassion and celebrate the Angels, including the author, who arrive to help build structures that allow Benning to press on, even as he teeters around burnout and personal health issues. You will also learn stories of individual animals. I’m still trying to process the passing of one pup, Bubba, who was saved from a miserable life of abuse and brought into a life filled with love....This is a quick, but meaningful read and it’s a book that will stay with you.What it isn’t, and wasn’t intended to be, is great literature. One reviewer remarked that she couldn’t get past a typo or grammatical error- I suggest that in this case the message is greater than the minutiae. And this is coming from a writer.If accounts of animals being saved, and people doing good things in this crazy word, resonate with you, I highly recommend “Rescue Matters”. And in purchasing this book, you will be helping to keep the good going.

This book allows TMAR fans to begin to understand how it came about, the issues they face in their area, the issues of rescue in general, and gives a peak into the lives of animals they interact with. It’s moving. It stays with you. It’s excellently written. I hope there will be a follow up that will continue their story and highlight some more of the people and animals of TMAR.

Excellent reveal of the difficulties animal rescue places face every day, 24 hrs a day. In places, it's a hard read, sad. But it's necessary to read this book to help us understand dogs and cats on the loose who need a home, and who cause such heartache, exhaustion, and cost to the rescuers.

This book made me cry and smile. It is good to know that there is people out there that give their heart and soul to take care of animals. This book is well written.

This book presents a very balanced view of animal rescue. It tells of the complex needs, challenges and solutions that are ever present in rescue. The stories of heartbreak and of joy are described in a sensitive and respectful manner. English addresses the importance of kindness and compassion for the humans in a community where troublesome issues and their resolutions are not always clear. Indeed, "... where people are suffering, animals are suffering" (English, 2018, p. 43). The reason I have for the three star review? I found room for improvement in the writing and in the general construction of this book. I know my opinion will be unpopular. Allow me to explain. By the time I reached page 43, I had encountered nine errors (spelling, formatting and confusing bits of text).* I was so irritated that I almost did not continue reading beyond this point. The only reason I continued reading to the end (and then read it a second time) was because I realized that the author and the people involved in TMAR are sincere and are extraordinarily committed to the founders' vision. And that a LOT of work went into the book's production. It would be extremely unfair to them for me to give up at page 43! I wanted to know as much of their stories as I could. The founders and participants of TMAR deserve as much encouragement and support as we can give to them. Having said this, sometimes support means offering suggestions for improvement.I know many readers do not seem to care about details such as spelling or formatting. I accept that. However, I think that attention to detail is crucial when presenting a finished product for sale to a global audience. When I feel that attention has been given to detail, I am more likely to recommend the product or service. Would you recommend a pair of pants (purchased new) that began to fall apart after the first wash because of crooked seams and other cut corners? Maybe you wouldn't care. But I would. When pointing potential readers to this book, I would say that it describes the physical and emotional work of heroes and selfless visionaries (author included). I would also say that it needs work in its overall construction. Everyone involved in the operation of this extraordinary rescue operation deserves exquisite attention to the details of their commitments and sacrifices. I fully understand that while perfection is impossible, room can and should be made for improvement on an ongoing basis. I'm certain that even this review needs quite a lot of improvement! My perspective may be an unpopular one, but it is given sincerely and with good intention.

This book is about Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue in North Dakota. The book follows the start to present, the history of TMAR and the passion, tenacity, blood, sweat and tears of Keith and subsequently his team of equally passionate volunteers in saving thousands of animals in a remote area of North Dakota where there was no Animal services at all. In addition to rescuing animals they also provide immunization and spay and neuter clinics to animal owners who do not have the means to have the shots or surgeries for their pets. There are incidents that are funny, sad and tear jerking moments. This small Rescue continues today mainly supported by fellow animal lovers who follow the Rescue and fund raising events. It is an easy and quick read and cannot wait for CJs followup book.

This wonderful book highlights the importance of rescuing dogs & why people should support them. Marvellous, caring people to genuinely care for the animals.