My Life Among the Underdogs

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From a prominent figure in dog rescue comes a collection of harrowing, funny, and inspiring stories about nine remarkable dogs that transformed her life. Tia Torres, a well-known advocate for underdogs and star of Animal Planet's Pit Bulls & Parolees, shares her roller-coaster journey in this heartwarming memoir. With her characteristic honesty and brashness, Tia captures the spirit of these intelligent and loving canines while taking readers behind the scenes of her TV show, into post-Katrina New Orleans, Hollywood soundstages, and even the jungles of Sri Lanka. Devoted to dispelling the stereotype of pit bulls as dangerous, Tia leads the Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest pit bull rescue in the U.S., where she and her team have saved hundreds of animals from destruction. Tia emphasizes that the stories within are about those who needed belief and purpose to reveal their true nobility. Each dog has triumphed over abuse, trauma, or misfortune to become a loyal companion. Meet Duke, a movie star; Junkyard Joe, a drug-sniffing expert; and Bluie, Tia's daughter’s protector, among other unforgettable canines. This memoir is ultimately a love story that will resonate with anyone who has ever cherished a dog.