Suzanne and her dog Keb do search and rescue in Washington state. I learned that there are different kinds of search dogs. There are some trained to alert on human remains. Air scent dogs “find airborne particles carrying the scent of humans,” searching large areas from 50-100 acres, while trailing dogs follow a scent from, for example, a piece of the missing person’s clothing. Suzanne takes us through her and her S&R dog Keb’s grueling assignments, such as looking for survivors of a landslide, or searches for murder victims and missing hikers. The amazing thing is that these S&R teams are volunteers; no one is paid for the time and effort they put in for searches and training. Unfortunately, some of the teams have a lot of drama, as people who think they have the best dogs or the best training ideas clash with others--very disappointing for those who just want to help, and not be drawn into politics and power struggles. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this ARC.

This was a special book, providing insight and heart into the world of Search and Rescue dogs. This is not an easy path to take, and the dogs also give more than you would think.

The sections were in an essay type of form, which I appreciate in a book of this type.

I learned so much, and I'm so pleased that I was given the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to Globe Pequot and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#ADogsDevotion #NetGalley #SuzanneElshult #JamesGuyMansfield #GlobePequot

A reassuring note for dog lovers: Keb—the heroic search-and-rescue dog at the heart of this book—is alive and well at the end!

I found A Dog’s Devotion to be an informative and eye-opening read. I hadn’t realized there are distinct types of training for dogs that search for the living versus those who locate human remains. The book offered valuable insight into the world of search-and-rescue (SAR), law enforcement collaboration, and the emotional impact on families. Above all, it left me with deep admiration for the volunteers who give their time, energy, and often their personal vacation days to undertake difficult, sometimes dangerous missions in rugged terrain.

That said, I did feel the book lacked a cohesive narrative. While it includes compelling SAR episodes, information on dog training, reflections on the bond between handler and dog, and technical aspects of search planning, these pieces felt fragmented. The result is more like a series of thematic essays than a continuous story. I would have loved more detailed accounts of Keb actively working in the field—and was surprised by how few successful outcomes were included.

This nonfiction work pairs well with the novel Heartwood by Amity Gaige, which also centers on a search for a missing woman on the Appalachian Trail.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.