Love at first bark

Klam focuses here on dog rescue, and its healing power not only for the dogs who are cared for and able to find good homes, but also for the people who bond with these animals. Klam became involved with rescue after years as an owner of purebred dogs. She was looking for a way to help and participate in a community, but she never imagined just how much she would receive in return. The dogs she has rescued through the years have filled her life with laughter and contentment, sorrow and frustration, and they have made certain that she never has a dull moment. Along the way, she has collected stories from friends who have also found that guiding dogs to nurturing homes made their own lives richer. These experiences, which show us that even in our smallest gestures we can make a big difference, inspired Love at First Bark. Dedicated dog rescuer Klam (You Had Me at Woof) has a full house in the Manhattan apartment she shares with her husband, their daughter, and their three less-than-polite pooches. So when rising rent prompts a move to a neighborhood uptown, tensions flare as the constant budget crunching and revolving door of foster pets begins to wear on Klam and husband Paul. But while Klam’s inability to say no to a dog in need gets in the way of things like a clean carpet or a quiet Saturday morning, the knowledge that they serve as a gateway to a new life for these beleaguered animals eventually brings the couple closer. Their adventures include rescuing a pit bull Paul finds tied to a neighborhood street sign, fostering an adorable but un-housebroken dog with neurological problems, and chasing a dog with a jar stuck on his head through the streets and swamps of post-Katrina Louisiana. Klam’s quick-draw wit often elicits chuckles, even in spots where the narrative lags. And though the reader senses her enthusiasm occasionally outweighing her ability to follow through, Klam’s heart is clearly in the right place. Her triumphs and missteps alike make for a light and delightful read.