Gimme Shelter: A Damaged Pit Bull, an Angry Man, and How They Saved Each Other

Spirito intersperses memories of his dysfunctional childhood with those of his adult life, including recollections of the love and companionship he received from dogs, in this sweet memoir. The author struggled with anger management until a pit bull changed his life. When Spirito and his wife began searching shelters, they were hoping to find an Irish setter, like one of their previous dogs. Instead, the couple are surprised to find themselves falling for a frightened, scarred young pit bull they name Tanner. Without realizing it, Tanner teaches Spirito to settle down and enjoy life for its simplicities rather than looking for provocations that will elicit his ire. Spirito ends each chapter with an informational section on topics such as preventing dog aggression and finding a dog trainer. Much of the information revolves around misconceptions about pit bulls, and Spirito offers statistics and advice about these much-maligned dogs. Dog owners, especially those who enjoy the companionship of shelter dogs, will undoubtedly recognize the deep sense of love and gratefulness that Tanner has for his family—a love that transfers to Spirito in ways he didn’t expect, but that make him a better person. Photos. [em](BookLife) [/em]