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Hope-How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life: Featuring Rodney, McMuffin and King Whacker Paperback – 30 August 2023
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Most people think I save dogs, but really they saved me.
Niall Harbison is a dog hero based in Thailand. He spends his days feeding, caring for and rescuing the many street dogs he comes across. With every rescue there’s a story. Like the sweet gentle McMuffin who was found with many tumours and hours from death, only to be nursed back to health. She now lives with Niall and is a popular member of the pack. Then there is King Whacker – who escaped a vicious attack and is now ruling the nest living up to his name as the king of the all good dogs. And who could resist the puppy eyes of little Rodney, the beautiful dog with big paws who is melting millions of hearts around the world.
Originally from Dublin, Niall was the owner of a successful advertising company. After selling it, he moved to Thailand where his addictions – drugs and alcohol – almost got the better of him. One day he woke up in hospital, close to death, and realised that something had to change. And that was what spurred him on to start saving and helping street dogs. His aim is to help 10,000 street dogs.
This is his story.
Review
‘A redemptive story’ Sunday Express
‘It’s only in writing his book that Harbison has made the connection between being there for the island’s dogs … and the deep feeling of child abandonment’ Guardian
‘Hope is a lovely book about someone who has been lucky enough to find his true purpose in life’ Daily Mail
‘…hope in the unlikeliest of places’ Daily Express
‘It’s a gentle poignant read’ Irish Independent
About the Author
Niall Harbison is a street dog rescuer based in Thailand. Originally from Dublin, Niall moved to Thailand after selling his very successful marketing and PR company. He now lives in the countryside where he spends his days feeding and looking after the thousands of street dogs he comes across.
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperCollins GB
- Publication date30 August 2023
- Dimensions13.5 x 2.6 x 21.6 cm
- ISBN-100008627215
- ISBN-13978-0008627218
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From the Publisher
McMuffin
A -surviving Beagle who was left on the streets with over 30 tumours. She was taken care of by a poor man with mental disabilities and after nearly dying she has been nursed back to life. She now acts as the therapy dog for the other new arrivals.
King Whacker
Niall found him after someone had tried to kill him with a pickaxe and split his head open. After taking him to emergency surgery in the back of a truck and rehab over a few weeks his horrific wound healed and he is now the top dog - as you can see here!
Rodney
The tiny puppy that caught the imagination of everybody on the internet. He had horrendous skin issues when found wandering the streets alone looking for food. After 48 very tough hours he pulled through and is growing into a big, strong and loveable boy.
Snoop
A rescue dog that has been by Niall's side for 11 years through depression, addiction and all the ups and downs. He has lived in Ireland, the UK and now Thailand. The true hero of the story as Niall wouldn't be here without him.
McMuffin
King Whacker
Rodney
Snoop
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins GB (30 August 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0008627215
- ISBN-13 : 978-0008627218
- Dimensions : 13.5 x 2.6 x 21.6 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 24,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 12 in Animal Rights (Books)
- 55 in Dog & Wolf Biology
- 64 in Zoology (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Top reviews from Australia
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Many of the dogs he's rescued and we've come to know and follow in their recovery are featured in the book, it's wonderful to read about.
The book is inspirational and sheds light on some of the tougher aspects of life and the choices we make,
Definitely worth the read.
Niall has now announced since the death of both Snoop and Tina, that all proceeds will be going to build a hospital in Tina's name. So worth the purchase just to help build that and you get a great story out of it at the same time.
Absolutely recommend this book - not only a great read, but you're supporting a fantastic cause (Tina's Hospital!!!!)
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in the United States on 10 December 2023
No solo narra una maravillosa historia, sino que también transmite un profundo mensaje de amor, de resiliencia, de fe y de esperanza.
"Hope" no es únicamente una magnífica lectura para los amantes de los perros, puede ser apasionante para cualquiera, pues es un gran ejemplo de superación personal.
Además de dar a conocer más profundamente el mundo de los perros y los vínculos que pueden establecerse entre ellos y nosotros e inspirar el respeto, la amabilidad y el amor que merecen estos bellos seres, es un relato acerca de cómo conseguir vencer dificultades y de la maravilla que supone encontrar el sentido de la vida para uno mismo. Asimismo, puede ser especialmente una gran lectura para todas aquellas personas que padecen algún trastorno emocional.
A mí me ha encantado: “Hope” es un tesoro que ha llenado mi corazón y mi mente de buenas emociones, preciosas enseñanzas, valiosas reflexiones y hermosos sentimientos.
Lo recomiendo fervientemente. Es un regalo estupendo para hacerse uno mismo o para obsequiar a alguien. Además, las ganancias obtenidas en la venta de “Hope” se destinan para construir "El Hospital Tina para perros a los que no les va tan bien".
Reviewed in Spain on 18 December 2023
No solo narra una maravillosa historia, sino que también transmite un profundo mensaje de amor, de resiliencia, de fe y de esperanza.
"Hope" no es únicamente una magnífica lectura para los amantes de los perros, puede ser apasionante para cualquiera, pues es un gran ejemplo de superación personal.
Además de dar a conocer más profundamente el mundo de los perros y los vínculos que pueden establecerse entre ellos y nosotros e inspirar el respeto, la amabilidad y el amor que merecen estos bellos seres, es un relato acerca de cómo conseguir vencer dificultades y de la maravilla que supone encontrar el sentido de la vida para uno mismo. Asimismo, puede ser especialmente una gran lectura para todas aquellas personas que padecen algún trastorno emocional.
A mí me ha encantado: “Hope” es un tesoro que ha llenado mi corazón y mi mente de buenas emociones, preciosas enseñanzas, valiosas reflexiones y hermosos sentimientos.
Lo recomiendo fervientemente. Es un regalo estupendo para hacerse uno mismo o para obsequiar a alguien. Además, las ganancias obtenidas en la venta de “Hope” se destinan para construir "El Hospital Tina para perros a los que no les va tan bien".
Each dog's story will captivate your heart and Niall's story will leave a lasting impression on your heart, mind and outlook of the world.
This would be an amazing gift for someone who needs a little pick me up, I have no doubt I will pick it up time and time again throughout the course of my own life.
Thank you, Niall, for sharing your story and changing the world one street dog at a time... You truly are a hero!
RIP to beautiful Tina and the most gentlemanly Snoop ❤️








