New memoir blends dog rescue and redemption in ‘Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople’ by Ian Spandow

Grass Valley, California May 9, 2025 (Issuewire.com) A new memoir by a Northern California dog rescuer is drawing praise from animal advocates for its heartfelt celebration of humane causes and second chances.

Ian Spandow, who operates Spandow House Dog Rescue in Smartsville, Calif., has authored Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople: Memoir of a Mutt, an inspiring true story that intertwines his life in the corporate world with his passion for saving dogs.

The books objective tone and candid style present an emotional journey of caring for animals, showing how rescuing dogs in need ended up rescuing Spandow himself in many ways.

In the memoir, Spandow shares how he and his wife Amy transformed their home into a haven for unloved and unwanted dogs who are at risk, providing training and a loving family environment so they can live full and happy lives.

What began as a personal mission has grown into Spandow House Dog Rescue, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit sanctuary.

Tucked in the rural community of Smartsville, their 9-acre property is now home to an ever-changing pack of rescue dogs.

We have an average of 10 dogs in our home, Spandow said, noting that a few are typically ready for adoption while others require long-term care due to behavioral or health issues.

The rescue focuses on dogs that shelters struggle to place, those that have been chronically abused, neglected, or deemed un-adoptable.

Since their journey began, they have saved more than 200 dogs, giving each a chance to heal and find love.

Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople takes readers behind the scenes of these rescue efforts.

Spandow recounts emotional stories of individual dogs: from the fearful German Shepherd mix who went from cowering in a corner to joyfully playing in a paddock, to the abused Asian Shepherd flown from Azerbaijan to recover on their ranch. (stories that demonstrate the resilience and forgiveness of animals).

Each chapter highlighting a dogs journey is paired with reflections on Spandows own life challenges.

Spandow candidly discusses how caring for traumatized dogs helped him cope with stresses in his corporate career and eventually led him to reevaluate what truly mattered.

Originally an executive sales trainer in the tech industry, Spandow experienced a turning point after a personal and professional upheaval, including nearly being deported from the U.S. and a mid-life crisis of purpose.

The upheaval sparked what he calls a rekindling of his first love: dogs.

He began volunteering in animal rescue and soon realized that helping helpless animals gave him a profound sense of fulfillment that his corporate accomplishments could not match.

Throughout the memoir, Spandow champions humane advocacy and the idea that every creature, human or animal, deserves a chance at a better life.

The books title itself hints at a parallel between rescue dogs and people in need of rescue.

While the salespeople in the title refers to colleagues from his past, Spandow uses it to draw a broader lesson about empathy: just as scared shelter dogs are often misunderstood, so too are individuals in high-pressure jobs who may be neglected or cast aside, a point he subtly illustrates by describing the intense, sometimes dehumanizing nature of his former corporate life.

By the memoirs conclusion, readers see how Spandows work with dogs actually informed a more compassionate outlook toward all beings.

We want to rescue unloved and unwanted dogs who are at risk and provide them with a loving family environment, Spandow said of his and Amys mission, a statement that underlies every page of the book.

Animal welfare publications will find Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople to be an uplifting addition to the genre of rescue memoirs.

It not only provides moving dog rescue stories, but also highlights the personal growth of a rescuer over time. The book emphasizes patience, trust-building, and unconditional love, values at the core of humane work.

For instance, Spandow describes the painstaking process of rehabilitating a terrified stray: the slow approach, the gentle words, the daily routine of showing the dog consistent kindness.

These vivid accounts give readers an inside look at what it takes to turn a scared animal into a beloved pet.

Spandow parallels this with learning to slow down and show himself and others compassion in his human life.

His writing remains objective and sincere, avoiding sentimentality even as it tugs at heartstrings with authentic, real-life outcomes.

Crucially, Spandows memoir is also a call to action for supporting rescue efforts.

In an unprecedented move, all proceeds from the book will go directly to Spandow House Dog Rescue, helping feed and care for the dogs at the sanctuary.

By purchasing the book, readers are essentially donating to a dogs well-being.

Every dog I write about is either in a happy home now or living out its days safe with us. This memoir is for them and for anyone who believes in giving second chances, Spandow said.

The memoir, independently published on April 23, is available on Amazon

Early feedback from animal lovers has been enthusiastic, with readers praising the book as inspiring and heartfelt a story that validates the emotional journey of rescuers and the profound impact of the animals they save.

For those in the animal advocacy community, Rescuing Dogs and Salespeople: A Memoir from the Mutt offers a fresh narrative that connects humane work with broader themes of hope and personal redemption.

It serves as a reminder that in rescuing animals, we often rescue ourselves.

This memoir stands as a testament to the mantra that every dog (and person) deserves its day, making it a noteworthy read for anyone invested in the welfare and dignity of animals.

For more information, visit IanSpandow.com.