Rescuing Riley, Finding Myself: A Man and His Dogs' Journey to Redemption

GGH: This is a great account of how bullying impacts humans and animals. Riley was discarded and left to die. Fortunately, he was miraculously found and saved. Zak went above and beyond, thank goodness and got Riley the care he needed after getting him out of a pothole in a canyon where he could not have gotten to by accident. Zak was able to better understand his own bullying as a child as he tried to understand Riley's abuse. This is a great book to hopefully realize it is never acceptable behavior to abuse or bully any living thing. Thank you for sharing your story, Zak and thank you for saving Riley.

United States on Nov 15, 2023

Theresa: Loved this true, sometimes heartbreaking story and the message Zach leaves us with. Hopefully he and Riley continue to help each other heal a little more each day.

United States on Nov 13, 2023

Stretch: I am sorry that Mr Anderegg was bullied, but the event by event by event detail of generations of abuse and dysfunction were not really helpful to the story. Perhaps it was therapeutic for the author. While it is difficult to imagine another way for Riley to get into the bottom of the hole uninjured, repeatedly dwelling on the possibility of intentional abuse (abandonment) with such confidence was excessive.

United States on Nov 12, 2023

FloodRunner: As a dog lover and one who was also relentlessly bullied, both by schoolmates and sadistic nuns who used public humiliation as a form of punishment that encouraged being bullied, many parts of this were tough to read. Even though the author tries hard to put into perspective what kind of damaged human being could even consider doing what was done to Riley as a pup it's very difficult to understand and accept there are people like this in the world and what it says about humankind. No two paths are the same and it's taken me years to overcome the damage done by bullies, and the resulting overcompensation my immature mind used as a coping device, or what might be considered revenge by striving to become popular, sought after and envied by those who once abused me. At age 69 I stopped thinking about these things long ago but they had a negative impact on the first 40 years of my life and a lifelong effect due to some of the unfortunate choices I made back then as a result of childhood struggles and confusion. At this point in life one could say I've just learned to accept my lot, and play the cards I was dealt the best I can.

Reading this dug up unpleasant memories and...

United States on Oct 31, 2023

Kindle Customer: Bullying is a National crisis of great proportion. And now Cyber bullying is as devastating, if not more so. The story of Rylie and his relationship with Zach is amazing. A great read with an extraordinary message.

United States on Oct 30, 2023

Susan: A beautiful story, nicely interwoven between the author and his issues and the dog and his issues. I have recommended it to many people.

Canada on Jun 18, 2023

Whoa!: It's takes admirable courage to write a book like this one. Being open and candid about emotional pain a person has endured, and struggled to overcome, is not the gift of all people. But it does help provide a measure of encouragement for others who were affected by similar adversity. The author says discovering the dog needing rescue came at just the right time in his life. That's interesting to think about too. Maybe, at times, this book also will come at just the right time in the life of certain readers. Definitely a book worth reading.

Canada on May 25, 2023

Amazon Customer: J'ai beaucoup, beaucoup aimé.

France on Oct 13, 2022

Gladys Gardener: Based on a true story, Rescuing Riley Saving Myself, describes the dramatic rescue of an abandoned dog in the most bizarre location, as well as delving into a personal issue that Zac has faced all his life. Very heartwarming and definitely food for thought

Australia on Jun 06, 2018

Trulyhonest: Really lovely tale (tail!) however the author spent too much time telling us about climbing equipment, types of ropes and ties, army details and gym achievements..which I found very boring and skipped through. I would have preferred a more in dept account of the puppy and their life together or indeed more information on the authors childhood. If I am brutally honest I found the author to be a little self absorbed! That being said, he has done a wonderful act of kindness for the puppy and he is to be congratulated on that!

United Kingdom on May 22, 2018