Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Pound for Pound by Shannon Kopp

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a true story of love in adversity, finding yourself among your own emotional wreckage, and the reality of how life changing our fur babies can be.  It's a title that came to my attention thanks to FSB Associates that released the end of last year, but regardless of time, place, or self recognition in the subject matter, it will touch your heart and bring you to tears (trust me, I was bawling while trying to explain what the book was about later on in the work).  Ladies and gents, grab your furry friend as we embark on a journey through the pages to explore...



A Story of One Woman's Recovery and the Shelter Dogs Who Loved Her Back to Life
by
9780062370228
William Morrow

About the book...
The brave, inspiring story of one woman's recovery from a debilitating eating disorder, and the remarkable shelter dogs who unexpectedly loved her back to life.

“The dogs don’t judge me or give me a motivational speech. They don’t rush me to heal or grow. They sit in my lap and lick my face and make me feel chosen. And sometimes, it hits me hard that I'm doing the exact thing I say I cannot do. Changing.”

Pound for Pound is an inspirational tale about one woman’s journey back to herself, and a heartfelt homage to the four-legged heroes who unexpectedly saved her life.

For seven years, Shannon Kopp battled the silent, horrific, and all-too-common disease of bulimia. Then, at twenty-four, she got a job working at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, where in caring for shelter dogs, she found the inspiration to heal and the courage to forgive herself. With the help of some extraordinary homeless animals, Shannon realized that her suffering was the birthplace of something beautiful. Compassion.

Shannon’s poignant memoir is a story of hope, resilience, and the spiritual healing animals bring to our lives. Pound for Pound vividly reminds us that animals are more than just friends and companions—they can teach us how to savor the present moment and reclaim our joy. Rich with emotion and inspiration it is essential reading for animal lovers and everyone who has struggled to change.



PUBLISHER  |  AMAZON  |  B&N  |  BAM  |  INDIEBOUND




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I start every Memoir review the same...they are hard to review.  You can't judge them the same way you would a work of Fiction, after all...this was someone's LIFE.  It is what it is or rather what they made of it; we're just here to come along for the ride afterward.


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Here, we have a woman whom had struggled with her inner demons throughout her life.  They started out small but grew over time, and as it seemed, no manner of therapists, psychologists, medications, or close friends were going to be the saving technique to pull her through.  So, what was...as this isn't a book written postmortem...?  ANIMALS but more specifically, those four legged friends many call themselves parents to (*raises both hands*)...DOGS.  Though people showed her understanding, lent their ears, shoulders, and time, welcomed her into their homes and their hearts, nothing ever quite broke her protective shell like the unconditional love emanating from the eyes, nose, tongue, and tail of a dog.  Whether stray, family, or current "pound puppy" seeking a forever home, she felt their tug on her heart the moment she sighted their happy grins, recognized how they accepted her as she was with their playful antics, and longed for the freedom they expressed as they seized the moment every second of the day.

Now, Shannon's story isn't one big happy ending in the making once she finds her comfort within the canine ranks.  No siree.  There is much heartache ahead for our narrator, and those she cares for along the way.  I'm sad to say that not every encounter led to a happy ending, and your heart will truly break as she struggles valiantly to save one soul in particular (*SPOILER ALERT* - she manages to make the impossible possible!  Sorry, had to share that...pet lovers would kill me for leaving them in a lurch like that!). In time she is stronger for all she's been through and finds the balance, the love for others, and HERSELF that she needed all along.  She puts that newfound strength to good use in not simply healing her own life, but those of the pups needing love, care, and forever homes in her home area...something that many of us can achieve on a smaller level at least by volunteering our time at our own local shelters.


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In the end, I learned as much about eating disorders and how they affect the mind, body, and soul, as I did about the HUGE role animals play in our own welfare (though that latter part I know first hand).  It's hard watching someone go through struggles in life, but a work like this serves several purposes.  First as a reach out for those experiencing similar issues in life; there is a way out, a light at the end of the tunnel...it's simply a matter of getting the help you need and continuing to reach for that goal.  Second, as a reminder that everyone has their own obstacles to overcome in life;  big or small at the time, it's a journey none of us can escape.  Last but not least, the overwhelming positive affects that our furry companions can have on our lives but also that WE can have on THEIRS. 





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About the author...

Shannon Kopp

Shannon Kopp, author of Pound for Pound, is a writer, eating disorder survivor, and animal welfare advocate. She has worked and volunteered at various animal shelters throughout San Diego and Los Angeles, where shelter dogs helped her to discover a healthier, more joyful way of living. Her mission is to help every shelter dog find a loving home, and to raise awareness about eating disorders and animal welfare issues. 



SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER



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Special thanks to Leyane at FSB Associates for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!




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