From one of the most respected figures in the dog rescue community come the harrowing, funny, and inspiring stories of nine incredible dogs that shaped her life.Tia Torres, beloved underdog advocate and star of Animal Planet’s hit show Pit Bulls & Parolees, chronicles her roller-coaster life in this heartwarming memoir featuring some of her best-loved dogs. With inimitable honesty and … her best-loved dogs. With inimitable honesty and characteristic brashness, Tia captures the spirit and heart of these intelligent and loving canines, while carrying us behind the scenes of her TV show, into the heart of post-Katrina New Orleans, onto the soundstages of Hollywood films, and even to the jungles of Sri Lanka.
Tia has devoted her life to shattering the stereotype that pit bulls are dangerous, vicious predators. As the top dog at the Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans, the largest pit bull rescue in the United States, she and her team have rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed hundreds of animals that might otherwise have been destroyed. As she puts it, “Most of the stories in this book are about animals (and a few humans) that needed someone to believe in them and a purpose in order to show their true nobility.”
Each dog Tia writes about here has overcome abuse, trauma, neglect, or just bad luck to become a stalwart, loving companion to Tia and her family. You’ll meet Duke, whose intelligence and matinee-idol looks made him a star in movies and music videos; Junkyard Joe, whose single-minded passion for tennis balls was channeled into expertise as a drug-sniffing dog; Bluie, the unswerving protector of Tia’s daughter Tania; and a host of other unforgettable canines.
My Life Among the Underdogs
is above all a love story–one that is sure to grip the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog. more
I read this book within a day and I really enjoyed how well written this book was. Tia Torres tell about all the dogs that inspired her (and her family) though out her life and what she learned from these beautiful creatures. She explained she always fight for the underdog or outcast and to give them a voice to be heard. This book is about the dogs that impacted her and her family and remind her why she continues battling for the underdogs. Tia does talk about some of her personal life but the focus is about the bonds she and her family had with these loyal four legged companions. Tia is such a humble person and very thankful of her fans and supporters of her and the dogs from VRC. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals especially dogs.
Before I can review this book, I have to confess: I am obsessed with Pitbulls and Paroles. So, probably no matter what Tia Torres wrote, I was gonna love this book. Turns out, I love this book AND it is well written and heart-filled and simply yummy. Torres is unflinching in sharing her personal life, but never uses it to sensationalize, only to share her truth and the truths she has learned from loving the nine dogs whose stories have changed her life (and her children’s and probably more than a few viewers like me). No individual on this earth has done more to dispel the inaccuracies and cruel judgment of this beautiful, brilliant misunderstood ‘breed’ of dogs whose hearts are bigger than most people’s I know.
I gobbled up these stories greedily with my little pittie snuggled beside me. They were a panacea from all that is going on around me and I only wish the book was longer. Dogs (and people like Tia) could teach this world so much about tolerance, forgiveness, honesty, and love. If only it would listen.
Before I can review this book, I have to confess: I am obsessed with Pitbulls and Paroles. So, probably no matter what Tia Torres wrote, I was gonna love this book. Turns out, I love this book AND it is well written and heart-filled and simply yummy. Torres is unflinching in sharing her personal life, but never uses it to sensationalize, only to share her truth and the truths she has learned from loving the nine dogs whose stories have changed her life (and her children’s and probably more than a few viewers like me). No individual on this earth has done more to dispel the inaccuracies and cruel judgment of this beautiful, brilliant misunderstood ‘breed’ of dogs whose hearts are bigger than most people’s I know.
I gobbled up these stories greedily with my little pittie snuggled beside me. They were a panacea from all that is going on around me and I only wish the book was longer. Dogs (and people like Tia) could teach this world so much about tolerance, forgiveness, honesty, and love. If only it would listen.
I’m not a Pitbull & Parolees fan but I liked this book. She tells her life story through the dogs that have been meaningful in her life. Well done.
I loved this book, and I am an even bigger fan of Tia Torres and her family now! The things that this woman and “her pack” have done for and with animals and dogs are just incredible. The hard work and dedication that is felt by Tia comes through on every page. I finished the book wishing that there were more people like Tia and more facilities like VRC in this world. I hope she writes another book!!
I enjoy the TV show and the book was just as good, if not better.
Watched this show forever and this book fills in some blanks for me about Tia and her family. I have so much more admiration (if that’s even possible) after reading some of her backstory.
I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t seen every episode of the TV show. I was already familiar with a lot of what was written about in the book because I watch the show so regularly.
I love Tia’s style of writing! I am a big fan of the show and it was great to read about where she got started in her mission of rescue!
I really liked this book. The people and dogs were very real. Tia told the story of her life through her dogs. It had a great positive impact on me. I learned a lot and look forward to seeing her show back on Animal a planet.
I’ll preface this review by saying I’m a great fan of Tia Torres for what she does for both dogs and people. I’ve watched Pitbulls and Parolees for years and I’m in awe. This is Tia’s memoir of both tough times and the dogs who saw her family through them. It’s memorable to me especially for the awesome dogs rescued from unimaginably horrible circumstances who overcame those circumstances to become invaluable companions. The human-dog bond is like no other and Tia has a way of describing it like no other. I’ll read this book again…soon.
I found reading about Tia’s life very interesting and inspiring.
Inside details about the beginnings of the popular Pitbulls and Parolees TV show. Will purchase a copy for my grandson
Tia tells it as it is…
Wow, what dedication Tia and her family have for these animals. Tia has helped teach and show the public the Pitt bull is not the monster it has been believed to be. More Pitts are being found in homes all across the country thanks to her. Keep up the good work Tia.
A very inspiring book.
Loved this memoir of Tia Marie and her family with her furry friends.