Best Friends Animal Society

Not left behind book presents heart-wrenching, photographic images that tells the stories of a group of people that went in after Hurricane Katrina to rescue hundreds of pets left behind during the evacuation. The photographs are just breath taking, depicting page after page of sorrowful eyes staring out from animals huddled in abandoned boats, roofs or cars. Throughout the stories and images of individual animals, readers will hopefully come away with a reminder of why pets must never be left behind during an evacuation. These pictures also show the haunting looks in their eyes and also glorious faces of those who rescued them. Tears were coming down my face when I read because I was reminded of how extraordinary people can be in a time of crisis.… (meer)

Not Left Behind is a photographic essay telling the tale of volunteers working with the Best Friends Animal Society to rescue pets (mainly dogs) caught in the post-Katrina flood waters in New Orleans. The stories are heartfelt, and the images are sometimes heart-wrenching. This is one of those books geared toward pretty much anyone who loves animals. As such, I’m not sure that there is necessarily a particular age group or type of classroom that this book would have a better home in than any other, but I will probably pick up a copy at some point. I could not help but remember my own experience, having to leave my cat behind when I evacuated. I was able to return and get him after a couple weeks, and he was only a bit worse for wear, but there were so many pets who only made it because of the kindness of rescue workers such as the volunteers discussed in the book. The relationship between people and domesticated animals is really one of the more interesting and multifaceted portions of the human experience, and seeing these beloved creatures in a situation which was tragic for all involved can’t help but make the pet parent in me get a bit emotional. I think I’ll hug my dog when I get home.… (meer)

Not Left Behind presents a heart-wrenching photographic essay that tells the story of a group of people that went in after Hurricane Katrina to rescue hundreds of pets left behind during the evacuation. While the text is relatively minimal, the photographs taken by Troy Snow speak for themselves, depicting page after page of baleful eyes staring out from emaciated bodies huddled in abandoned boats or on the roofs of cars. I admit, I got teary-eyed a few times; while reading it I felt like I could hear that Sarah McLachlan song playing in the background. I think what I appreciated the most about the book, though, was that in the introduction they explain how "Not Left Behind doesn't attempt to provide a complete picture of what was done to rescue the pets of New Orleans" (19). In other words, they weren't trying to take credit for saving all the animals, and throughout the book they often mention the help they received from not only volunteers but the military as well. My only issue with the book is completely illogical; I just want to know what happened to all the pets in the photos! On a realistic note, though, I do wish there had been separate sections dedicated to different types of animals. While I'm in love with man's best friend as much as the next dog lover, it felt unfair to primarily focus on our canine companions. Also, an added bonus is that all royalties from the sale of the book go to the Best Friends Rescue Fund.… (meer)