EP #1619: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans.
Thu Jan 29 2026
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Lisa is joined by Carmen Leal the author of I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans.
Lisa starts the interview by sharing something her dogs do and asks if your dog or dogs do it too. She also asks Carmen the same first question she always asks which is, "When did you love of dogs begin?"
Carmen came to dogs in a unique way. After a horrible accident, her doctor recommended an emotional support dog which she said no to multiple times. Eventually she changed her mind and not only did she get a dog, she did work for a shelter and has helped thousands of dogs find homes.
Carmen's book is an anthology so not only does she share her own stories, there are others as well who share stories about their dogs.
For more details, see the transcript.
Book description: I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans.
For every pet parent who knows there's no such thing as 'just a dog,' this collection of uplifting glimpses into the lives of ordinary-turned-extraordinary dogs and the people who love them is a tail-wagging good read.
Thanks to the rescue dog who saved her life after a traumatic brain injury, Carmen Leal went from saying she'd never have a dog to becoming an advocate for man's best friend. Carmen volunteered at the local rescue shelter by writing bios and social media posts, applying for grants, and helping to save and re-home over 6,500 dogs from a high-kill shelter. This endearing anthology includes stories that celebrate the bond between canines and humans including:
Buddy the beagle who went from living chained under a porch to becoming the town's only therapy dogHeavenly Joy, the frightened Chihuahua who changed the life of a grumpy old manBogey, an abandoned mixed-breed trained by prison inmates and adopted by his forever family
I Chose You is a collection of memorable, beautifully written stories of dogs rescued by people and, ultimately, people rescued by dogs. If you like four-legged friends and happy endings, you'll love Carmen Leal's touching collection of heart-warming stories.
Fetch a copy of I Chose You, the feel-good book that resonates with anyone who has ever loved a dog.
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Send us a text Lisa is joined by Carmen Leal the author of I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans. Lisa starts the interview by sharing something her dogs do and asks if your dog or dogs do it too. She also asks Carmen the same first question she always asks which is, "When did you love of dogs begin?" Carmen came to dogs in a unique way. After a horrible accident, her doctor recommended an emotional support dog which she said no to multiple times. Eventually she changed her mind and not only did she get a dog, she did work for a shelter and has helped thousands of dogs find homes. Carmen's book is an anthology so not only does she share her own stories, there are others as well who share stories about their dogs. For more details, see the transcript. Book description: I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans. For every pet parent who knows there's no such thing as 'just a dog,' this collection of uplifting glimpses into the lives of ordinary-turned-extraordinary dogs and the people who love them is a tail-wagging good read. Thanks to the rescue dog who saved her life after a traumatic brain injury, Carmen Leal went from saying she'd never have a dog to becoming an advocate for man's best friend. Carmen volunteered at the local rescue shelter by writing bios and social media posts, applying for grants, and helping to save and re-home over 6,500 dogs from a high-kill shelter. This endearing anthology includes stories that celebrate the bond between canines and humans including: Buddy the beagle who went from living chained under a porch to becoming the town's only therapy dogHeavenly Joy, the frightened Chihuahua who changed the life of a grumpy old manBogey, an abandoned mixed-breed trained by prison inmates and adopted by his forever family I Chose You is a collection of memorable, beautifully written stories of dogs rescued by people and, ultimately, people rescued by dogs. If you like four-legged friends and happy endings, you'll love Carmen Leal's touching collection of heart-warming stories. Fetch a copy of I Chose You, the feel-good book that resonates with anyone who has ever loved a dog.