Book Review: #TLC Book Tours #Loyal

I just finished reading the recently published book, "Loyal". 

It is the most heart-warming collection of stories featuring beloved canines who have worked side by side with soldiers and cheered up kids and adults alike!

There are thirty-eight inspiring tales of devotion, bravery, and heroism in this book written by Rebecca Ascher Walsh. These stories are profoundly emotional.

Let me give you a few examples of some of the heroes this book details...

Chaney:  A Labrador Retriever who, with his handler/soldier, set IED detection records in Afghanistan and is now enjoying retirement together with his owner.

Klinger:  A German Shepherd who works as a guide dog with his former marine/marathon runner.

Elle:  An American Pit Bull Terrier from North Carolina who assists adults in overcoming their fear of dogs.

Ecko:  A Black Lab who is not only his partner's "eyes", but also his muse!

Scout:  A German Wire-Haired Pointer who is a mascot and community builder for the citizens of Boise, Idaho.

Bandit:  A 150 pound Great Dane who spends his days earning patches for his work at the USO while lifting soldier's spirits.

Riley:  A Labrador Retriever who works for the Search Dog Foundation searching for remains.

Wyatt:  A Rhodesian Ridgeback who helps detect diseases and works with his owner all over the country vetting firefighters.

Lyric:  A Beagle who works for the USDA Beagle Brigade detecting contraband at the San Juan Airport.

Bell:  A Labradoodle whose presence assists a former Army Colonel with PTSD.  Bell works with Patriot Paws, an organization that trains service dogs for veterans.

Zeke:  A Belgian Malinois who works with the Harrisburg, PA Police Department.  He has assisted his handler in recovering drugs, money, and firearms.

Zoey:  A Golden Retriever in Colorado who is a University-Employed Comfort Dog.  She is trained to be of service to the community.  Her presence in counseling sessions makes the students feel more relaxed and facilitates conversations.

Drago:  A Spinone Italiano who lives in Connecticut with his family.  He is a Certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International and spent a lot of time at the Sandy Hook Elementary School comforting students, teachers, and staff after the mass shooting.

Judge:  A Czech Shepherd who works with the West Deptford Police Department in New Jersey and has assisted in apprehending 152 suspects, and helped to recover 3 stolen vehicles, 3 firearms, and approximately $47K in reputed drug money.

Mitchell:  A Labrador Retriever in Illinois who gives encouragement and emotional support to children who are victims of abuse.

Glory:  A Bloodhound in California who is trained to assist in finding missing pets and people.

Kai:  A Labrador Retriever in Texas, who is trained as an accelerant detector.  Kai has participated in more than 200 fire and bomb investigations.

About Loyal

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 7, 2017)

This special collection of dog stories and photographs features four-legged heroes who have worked side by side with soldiers, searched the wreckage of natural and man-made disasters, changed families' lives through emotional support, and administered aid around the world and at home in the United States. Heartwarming photographs and touching anecdotes bring to life thirty-eight caring canines who have served the people who mean the most to them, from a German Shepherd who leads a blind man on his marathon training mission to a belly rub-loving Sheltie who supports at-risk youth in the classroom. For anyone who has experienced the extraordinary affection of a dog, Loyal is a lasting celebration of the joys of canine companionship.

I found this book to be a very inspiring read and one that I highly recommend!  It is especially heartwarming to read that so many of the dogs used in the book for medical detection, search and rescue, hospital or prisoner therapy were actually shelter dogs in their former lives.

I sincerely enjoyed this book and I hope you will too.

Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is a journalist who has also written Devoted:  38 Extraordinary tales of love, loyalty, and life with dogs.  She volunteers at a high-kill shelter in Manhattan and is a founding director of the Deja Foundation, an organization devoted to raising funds for the care of rescue dogs.

To purchase her books, please visit:

Purchase Links: National Geographic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble