The Benefits of Adopting Abandoned Dogs for Them and for Us

A new book uses moving before-and-after photographs to chronicle dog lives.

Reviewed by Davia Sills

Key points

• Katherine Carver's new book 'Abandoned' puts a literal face on the dog abandonment crisis.
• Carver aims to raise awareness of this crisis and encourage people to adopt dogs who will be forever grateful.
• Rescued dogs typically live wonderful lives, and their human companions’ lives are equally enriched.

Abandoned dogs need all the love they can get, and Katherine Carver should be lauded for her beautifully written and illustrated new book Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs and her work on behalf of these amazing, sentient beings who are down and out often because of irresponsible humans. Her stories and photographs will surely move readers as they clearly show that when we step out of our own shoes into the paws, heads, and hearts of dogs in need, we can give them a second or third chance to live with safety, trust, respect, dignity, and compassion.

One important take-home message, among others, is that what is good for the dogs also is good for us—a mutual win-win. I can’t think of anything more rewarding or joyful than rehoming an abandoned dog and having the emotions that are shared between them and me work as a social glue to bind us together as the dogs unconditionally enjoy the forever loving home they so desperately want, need, and fully deserve. Rescued dogs are also no quirkier than other dogs. Here’s what Katherine had to say about her landmark book in which the personalities and emotional lives of these rescued dog beings are palpable.

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Abandoned?

Katherine Carver: The idea literally came to me on a summer day during 2012, roughly a year-and-a-half after we had adopted our first rescue dog named Biscuit, a Shetland Sheepdog. He forever changed my life in so many ways—he opened my heart in a way like no other, and he brought me back to my love of photography.

My curiosity and experience with Biscuit made me aware of the dog overpopulation crisis in our country, and this set me on a path to learn more about what happens to these abandoned dogs. I began documenting the fate of roughly 60 dogs of various breeds, who found themselves in shelters or rescues in the Mid-Atlantic region.

I first photographed each dog prior to adoption and then photographed these same dogs again roughly a year later. Written narratives accompany the dogs’ photographs, providing, to the extent possible, how and why each dog was abandoned. I also explore the significant positive impact these dogs have had on their human companions’ lives and vice versa.

MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?

Katherine Carver: I have always had a love of photography. During my high school senior year, I needed an art credit, and I fortuitously was placed into a photography class. It was an instant love affair; I spent any spare time I had in the darkroom creating images. During my last year of college, I took a few photography classes, with fine art credits waived, and I loved every minute of it while being exposed to a wide array of photographic artists.

After college, I attended law school, and I promised myself that I would keep photography in my life somehow. Once Biscuit entered my life, he was the catalyst that really brought me back to photography, and I then began working on Abandoned, which took me over a decade to complete. I owe such a great debt to Biscuit.

MB: How does your book differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?

KC: Abandoned is the result of a 10-year project following nearly 60 dogs from rescue to adoption, showcasing “before” and “after” photographs, which are accompanied by each dog’s personal story. No other book has captured dogs in this manner. It is a unique project that encompasses more than just photographs, as the dogs’ stories are integral, providing context and augmenting the photographs. In addition to the dogs, I hope that people see that human companions’ lives are changed in such positive, immeasurable ways.

MB: Who do you hope to reach with your book?

KC: I hope that this book reaches and touches as many people as possible, as it is timely and casts a light on the current dog overpopulation crisis in our country. In 2023, in the United States, 3.2 million dogs entered shelters or rescue organizations; 2.2 million of these dogs received homes but 1 million dogs did not. Abandoned puts a literal face on this crisis, offering overwhelmingly hopeful, yet sometimes tragic, stories that illustrate the many benefits of rescue and adoption to both dogs and humans alike.

Abandoned also contains dog-rescue resources for people who wish to learn more about this important cause. Clearly, there is a grave problem, and increased dog adoption is the main answer to this overpopulation crisis. It is my great hope that Abandoned will help raise awareness of this crisis and encourage people to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization.

MB: How can people get involved and develop the mindset to help this cause?

KC: There are many ways to help. First, if you are thinking about adding a dog to your family, consider adopting your dog from your local shelter or rescue organization, which saves a dog’s life and makes space for other animals in need. Second, you can donate to your animal shelter or rescue organization either monetarily or via supplies. Third, if you are on the fence and you are not quite sure if you want to add a dog to your family, you can consider being a foster to a dog in need via your local shelter or rescue organization.

Finally, you can simply volunteer at one of these organizations. Even volunteering to take photographs of the dogs, for example, will really improve each dog’s chances of getting adopted. If used on social media or other platforms, these photographs can be a powerful tool in getting dogs adopted.

MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about abandoned dogs, they will be more accepting of these amazing beings?

KC: Through this exploration, the journey of creating this book, and meeting the dogs and their human companions, I do feel a tremendous sense of hope. In the overwhelming majority of cases, I witnessed abandoned dogs transform into integral family members like Biscuit. Dog rescue provided them with an entirely new life.

This body of work speaks for these dogs and chronicles their journeys from abandoned dogs to rescued dogs. Rescued dogs live wonderful lives, and their human companions’ lives are equally enriched.