Pound for Pound: A Story of One Woman's Recovery and the Shelter Dogs Who Loved Her Back to Life

Written by Shannon Kopp

Narrated by Tina Wolstencroft

"The dogs don't judge me or give me a motivational speech. They don't rush me to heal or grow. They sit in my lap and lick my face and make me feel chosen. And sometimes, it hits me hard that I'm doing the exact thing I say I cannot do. Changing."

Pound for Pound is an inspirational tale about one woman's journey back to herself, and a heartfelt homage to the four-legged heroes who unexpectedly saved her life.

For seven years, Shannon Kopp battled the silent, horrific, and all-too-common disease of bulimia. Then, at twenty-four, she got a job working at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, where in caring for shelter dogs, she found the inspiration to heal and the courage to forgive herself. With the help of some extraordinary homeless animals, Shannon realized that her suffering was the birthplace of something beautiful. Compassion.

Shannon's poignant memoir is a story of hope, resilience, and the spiritual healing animals bring to our lives. Pound for Pound vividly reminds us that animals are more than just friends and companions-they can teach us how to savor the present moment and reclaim our joy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781494546540

Reviews for Pound for Pound

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was first drawn to this book by the book cover. I own three pitbulls. I used to have the impression that they were vicious dogs but now I am an advocate for them. All they know is love. Plus my three can't stop smiling. Back to the book. Second I wanted to read this book because I am a sucker for a good animal story. I felt like I did get to know the author, Shannon. I have never experienced the urge to be model thin like the girls in magazines, although there was a short period where I did wish I was taller and bigger in the chest area. However as I grew older I grew out of this stage and love myself for who I was born. I am so glad that Shannon learned this with the help of the shelter animals she cared for before it was too late. This book is spilt into parts. The first part talking about Shannon's life in her teens and collage years, then as she got older and was introduced to the animals. The final part focused more on the animals and a happy ending. There are some cute pictures featured in this book of some of the animals that Shannon and others at the shelter helped care for.

[pomo58 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I tend to have mixed feelings about memoirs. While I usually gain significant insight, both into the writer as well as life in general, I am often a little disappointed in the manner of the telling. Either too much set-up for what the writer wants to express or too little and I am dropped in the middle of whatever period deemed most important. I am delighted to say this memoir provides an almost perfect mixture of making the reader familiar with her history and working into the events most important to the book's message. Shannon Kopp, in Pound for Pound, takes the reader through every painful as well as uplifting moment in her battles. I came away from this memoir with both a better understanding of bulimia (both psychological and environmental aspects) and a profound respect for Shannon Kopp.My initial interest in the book was as a dog lover. Those expectations I brought to the book were met, if not exceeded. What I wasn't prepared for was the deeply personal expression of what must still be painful for her to recall. I would highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with any type of disease in addition to eating disorders. The hope and strength will help with whatever one is going through. I also know that dog lovers will enjoy the book too. People who enjoy reading memoirs will certainly enjoy it and any aspiring writer who is considering memoirs can learn a great deal from how this book transports the reader into the life story.Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads.