Miracle Dogs: Rescue Stories

by Liz Stavrinides

In the Fall of 2014, Liz’s first book was published, by renowned publisher St. Martin's Press. The book, which has received widespread acclaim, is available at booksellers everywhere including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • Miracle Dogs celebrates and honors rescuers and the dogs whose lives they’ve saved. It features wonderful stories and uplifting photographs of dog rescuers, trainers, and organizations such as The Gentle Barn and Tamar Geller’s Operation Heroes and Hounds, along with celebrity pet owners such as Hoda Kotb, Lance Bass, Amanda Hearst, Chevy Chase and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Each chapter includes portraits of an inspirational dog and his new owners, followed by a touching story about their journey to become a family.

    A professional pet photographer, Liz Stavrinides spends much of her time on projects related to animal rescue. Miracle Dogs was born out of her desire to collect and share the stories of the dogs she’s met over the years, showcasing the incredible bravery and compassion of both canines and owners. Readers will be moved by dogs like Wyatt, an assistance dog who helped a young boy with autism communicate with the outside world; Fiona, who was found blind and starving and is now in a loving family; and Kody, a brave rescued dog who risked everything to save his owner from a deadly rattlesnake attack. All of them have finally found their homes. Stavrinides’s portraits are heartwarming–a loving and poignant tribute to our furriest family members.

  • “Miracle Dogs demonstrates a truth that lies at the heart of all rescue stories: that sharing a home with an animal–especially one that’s been forgotten and left to the fates–can enrich even the most glamorous and well-lived lives.”

    — Jim Gorant, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lost Dogs

  • “Miracle Dogs is an uplifting, inspirational collection that will make you want to rescue a dog (or forty). If you have never experienced the undying gratitude and unconditional love of a shelter dog for his new family, take one look at these photos and read these stories. The wagging tails, goofy smiles and furry hugs say it all.”

    — David Rosenfelt, Author of Dogtripping

  • “Each touching vignette captures and radiates the simple, profound, and enduring joy of sharing our lives with dogs.”

    — Nick Trout, Bestselling Author of Tell Me Where It Hurts and Dog Gone, Back Soon

Extraordinary Dogs

by Liz Stavrinides & John Schlimm

In the Fall of 2019, Liz’s second book was published, by renowned publisher St. Martin's Press. The book, which has received widespread acclaim, is available at booksellers everywhere including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A beautiful photo book showcasing more than 50 heroic dogs “in uniform” and their stories, from photographer Liz Stavrinides and author John Schlimm.

  • Extraordinary Dogs portrays more than fifty working dogs, along with the police officers, firefighters, veterans, and other trained volunteer handlers who serve side-by-side with them. Their moving stories and beautiful photographs are an unprecedented glimpse at Comfort Dogs and Search and Rescue Dogs, along with bomb-detecting TSA dogs and canine ambassadors from across the United States.

    * The stories of the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs take readers behind the scenes of their headlining deployments—such as the Boston Marathon bombing, Superstorm Sandy, and the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
    * Search and Rescue K-9 teams reveal what it’s really like to travel into the eye of natural disasters, accidents, crime scenes, and the worst terrorist strike in recorded history.
    * At Washington Dulles International Airport, readers meet several of the Department of Homeland Security’s TSA dogs whose sole job it is to keep the flying public safe from explosives and other dangers.

    Extraordinary Dogs is both a portrait of what love, hope, courage, and heroism look like in their purest forms and a tribute to the eternal and impactful bonds we forge with our furry friends.

  • “Sure to be a hit with dogs lovers of all ages, Extraordinary Dogs is bursting with insightful stories and vibrant photographs of smart, smiling, devoted dogs who add so much to this world.”

    — Maria Goodavage, New York Times bestselling author of Soldier Dogs, Top Dog, and Doctor Dogs

  • “Extraordinary Dogs is a moving and uplifting reminder that there is a good reason dogs are called man’s best friend. The engaging stories and beautiful photographs in these page are a testament to the devotion, heroism, and enduring love dogs bring to all of our lives.”

    — Dr. Marty Becker, “Americas Veterinarian,” New York Times bestselling author of syndicated pet columnist

  • "WOW! This is one book you can judge by its cover. The heart-melting beautiful photo of the front is a compelling preview of the truly awe-inspiring stories of the dogs (and their humans) pictured inside. Extraordinary Dogs was definitely Chicken Soup for the dog-lover’s soul. Highly recommended.”

    — Carol Kline, co-author of the New York Times bestseller Chicken Soup for the Dogs-Lovers’ Soul