Amy Wallace has made plenty of mistakes in her young life, but she didn’t see this one coming. Chris Seger is a marine serving in Afghanistan. His life is forever altered by a single, fateful step. A mother of another Afghan war vet suffers a devastating loss, which changes the course of Finley’s life for good. Finley is a mostly golden retriever, who suddenly finds himself alone and confused in … in a dog shelter. Could this prison actually become the place where Finley finally finds freedom? Rescuing Finley tells the story of how one rescue dog powerfully impacts three tragic lives and puts all of them on a road toward redemption and healing.
Dan Walsh is known for page-turning, character driven novels. Fans of Dan’s other novels, as well as dog-lovers everywhere will especially enjoy Rescuing Finley.
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Chris Seger is a vet who came home minus a leg and battling severe PTSD. Amy Wallace is serving time in a women’s prison when she is accepted into a program that trains dogs to be service animals for vets.
When Chris’s friend Kyle, a vet who is suffering severe PTSD, calls and tells him about the service dog he was able to adopt, he encourages Chris to look into finding a program and trying to adopt a dog.
Chris looks up information on a local program and goes to the prison to see about adopting a dog. As soon as Finley sees Chris, he is drawn to the young man. Chris and Finley definitely belong together and Chris is able to complete the training to welcome Finley to his new forever home.
There’s more to the story and it ends just as I’d hoped. You will have to read it for yourself to find out what happens to Chris, Amy, and Finley.
This is the first Dan Walsh book that I have read, and I chose Rescuing Finley because I love dogs. Rescuing Finley was a great choice! You will fall in love with Finley, and will want to journey with him through the various people who become his caretakers. The beauty of the story is how Finley draws out the best in people, moving them from a life of brokeness, grief, and pain to a life of hope. I promise this is no ‘Old Yeller’ story, but you may need a tissue or two as you get to know the characters, their struggles, and how they work to overcome them. Finley will have you cheering and wanting more stories like this…and that is good because this is book 1 in a 3 part series.
This entire book from start to finish is wonderful. I love how the author helps you to know how the dog is understanding what is being said. A delight to read. Looking forward to more like this.
Dan Walsh knows people & dogs giving a perspective not usually seen or thought about
I love dog rescue stories …this really touched my heart
I really liked this book. The story line was good and informative
It kept me reading and guessing at the outcome until the end. Very enjoyable read!!!
I would recommend anything by Dan Walsh
If you like dogs you will enjoy this book
Dan Walsh is a great author no matter what type of book he has written.
Great read. Unusual story line and very well written
Rescuing Finley by Dan Walsh reminds me of a lesson I learned in high school English: you don’t have to use fancy words to tell a good story. Walsh unfolds the story line and characters with a charming ease that is often missing from literary fiction. I didn’t have to guess at what the characters were thinking or feeling – I knew. I will admit there were times my mind longed for a clever turn of phrase, but apparently neither my heart nor my eyes missed those things, because I definitely felt the love and joy that poured from these pages. I’m not a dog owner but I loved Finley and this book. Thank you, Dan.
This was such an amazing story! Mr. Walsh clearly did a LOT of research into the topics of PTSD and support animals and their training. Then he wove that research into an unforgettable story I could not put down. Except when I had to stop and grab a hankie! GREAT story. I highly recommend this to anyone. Thank you, Mr. Walsh!
Enjoyable read. It went so fast. Characters great role models. There’s way way back from our mistakes when we are willing to work on the positive.
I learned a lot about dog training. The characters were believable and had me literally crying at times.
Wildest book was very predictable, it was a very fun read. I loved the characters and the way the story was in it together. Would definitely recommend this book.
Dan Walsh’s RESCUING FINLEY has it all. It’s educational, inspirational and so very timely, with an engrossing story essentially told from the point of view of three characters facing impossible situations. From the canine view, Finley lost his owner, Chaz, in Afghanistan and Chaz’s mother, unable to deal with him, has reluctantly taken Finley to the animal shelter, where he falls into a deep depression. Chris Seger lost a leg in Afghanistan and is struggling with PTSD. Amy Wallace is a former drug addict serving a prison sentence for attempting to shoplift an expensive diamond ring. It’s difficult to imagine how any of this could possibly turn out well. You don’t have to be a “dog person” to love this one, but it may make you want to seek out the nearest veteran and say, “Thank your for your service.”
I really enjoyed this book. It is an enjoyable read with a great story. I have read 2 of the books in this series and am now on the third.
A good story. Fun to read even though it was a serious topic.
What can I say that wouldn’t be too much? I love all of Dan Walsh’s books. His writing is incredibly wonderful. I love the history, the dogs, and all of his characters.