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Just Gus: A Rescued Dog and the Woman He Loved Hardcover – February 9, 2006

by Roslyn Banish (Photographer), Laurie Williams (Contributor)

4.1 46 ratings

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Gus was a lucky dog. Injured and abandoned, he could have become another of the 7 million animals euthanized every year. Then Stephanie Williams entered the picture. A successful journalist, she had been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer at the age of 30. On medical leave and living alone, she wanted a warm four-legged companion. When she saw Gus's soulful eyes and goofy grin, it was love at first sight: she would rescue him, and he would return the favor.
Just Gus is about how much one dog did to make a dying woman happy giving tireless love, comfort, and support. This extraordinary story shows how one dog brought joy and hope to a woman's last days.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ McWitty Press; Illustrated edition (February 9, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0975561812
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0975561812
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,006,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20,217 in Dog Care
- #73,168 in Motivational Self-Help (Books)
- #132,380 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 46 ratings

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Jean Donaldson
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Author Jean Donaldson has over 30 years experience in dog behavior and training and is the Founder and Director of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers. Jean’s award winning books include The Culture Clash and Oh Behave! She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her Chow, Buffy. Visit www.jeandonaldson.com to keep up to date with Jean and her work.
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Laurie Williams
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4.1 out of 5

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Diane L. Mechlinski

Excellent & Touching Story!

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2011

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This is an amazing story of a rescued dog and the woman who adoped and loved him. Their relationship is one that everyone should be so lucky to have! The main character, Stephanie, was a vibrant young woman living in Brooklyn - an accomplished magazine writer and aspiring novelist. At the young age of 30, she was dianosed with advanced breast cancer. Living alone and determined to continue doing so, she didn't want to go through what she knew would be a difficult decline in her life, all alone. She wanted a constant companion. That's where Gus came in. Adoption of a dog was difficult since most shelters wouldn't place a dog with someone facing Stephanie's illness. But Stephanie was advised by a friend that Gus was an injured mixed breed in desperate need of a home. Both dog and human faced issues and were determined to make it work together.

Soon Gus and Stephanie became known in the neighborhood as a team! They were everywhere together! Undoubtedly, Gus made a huge impact on Stephanie during her better and worser days as she struggled through her illness...and also without a doubt, Stephanie was exactly what Gus had needed, too.

There were many, many difficulties ahead for Stephanie, and although her family, boyfriend and friends were there to help here through it, Gus was the one who was there constantly. As only a dog can, he offered her that unconditional constant presence and love that every dog lover knows and recognizes as the special gift that dogs offer us humans.

Without revealing how the book ends, I can only say that I recommend this book highly. It is also beautifully photographed throughout - a picture journey of the story as well as the written one. There are moments within this book (and as you glance at the photos that accompany the story) where you will laugh, cheer and cry -- and become thankful that dogs are on this earth with us, for they truly are our greatest companions.

One person found this helpful

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Anthony M. Julian

A very touching story.

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2007

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Not many pages but what the book says is very powerful. It makes you wonder how much fate and destiny really does factor in our lives. Hope was given to a woman in the form of a dog and hope was given to a dog by someone who I believe was meant to be the one. They found and needed each other is a under statement. The story will make you laugh and cry. Worth every dime and I would recommend it to anyone.

15 people found this helpful

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S. Vasey

Just Gus

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2008

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I expected this book to be more about the relationship between Gus and the women he loved, and in reality it is, however much of that relationship is told through photos rather than words. It is often said 'a photo speaks 1000 words' and that is very true, but i personally was slightly disappointed with the lack of story. This is no fault of the book itself, more my expectation of it. Gus is a truly lovely and lucky dog. A nice, but not taxing, read.

6 people found this helpful

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gilly8

A Touching Story

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2010

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When I ordered this book I did not notice it is only 80 pages long. And each page is mostly taken up by photographs of the dog and his person....so be warned! It cost a lot for such a short book. If the proceeds were to go to a charity related to the story, then I would probably have purchased it even at that price, but I don't see that the proceeds do go to anything like that.

I don't want to give away the plot---and, for some of the other reviewers here, it is only polite to warn people if you are going to put in "spoilers", that is, retell the story! A review should NOT be a rehash of the book or movie.

Sorry if I sound annoyed and feel like I was "taken". The story is "sweet"....thats as far as I can go with it.

If you want to read about people who take in dogs and cats day in and day out, and work all consistantly with the animals to rehabilitate them and find them new homes, read about the "Best Friends" animal sanctuary. There are several books and DVD's on their wonderful volunteer work. "Dogtown" is one of the DVD's, and "Kittyville" a short book about their cats...and they did after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The volunteers there devote their lives to the animals, and no animal is euthanized (except for incurable painful diseases). Dogs too aggressive to be placed in a home, even after every attempt at rehabilitation, remain at "Dogtown" in large runs with indoor/outdoor access for the rest of their lives.

I'm not saying to not read this book, just that it was not at all what I expected, so I felt very let down.

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2011

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This was such a joyful loving story, it brought tears but so much joy for both of them. I rescued three dogs and they have brought me more joy than you could ever imagine. Anyone who loves animals will love this book. I purchased this book from Amazon.com like so many other wonderful books I have purchased.

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2009

Verified Purchase

The book was compared with other books that were adult reading books/dog stories. This book is for a 3rd/4th grader. It never listed how many pages. Sample pages showed pictures etc, but I didn't realize the whole book was a picture book with a short paragraph under each picture.
Missed the 30 day return, book still sits in the box, at this point I'm looking for a child to give it to. Husband belongs to "Barnes&Noble", he'll keep that. I'll never order a book on Amazon.com anymore, felt it was very misleading, and my bad, I missed returning it...only have 30 days. I've paid a lot less for more book...

3 people found this helpful

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Shirley A. Hudleson

Just Gus - A Rescued Dog &The Woman he Loved

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2010

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This small book is packed with emotion. A 4 hankie story about a Rescued Dog and the Woman he came to Love - a Heartbreaking story of a woman with Terminal Cancer, who is given a gift of pure Love by her dog Gus. Who recused who is what this book is all about. Wonderful.!!!!!

One person found this helpful

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L053R

Gus Just Rules!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2010

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Great book for a quick read or for kids. My eight year old loved it. It made my wife cry. The pictures are exceptional and tell the story alone without the words. Great job. God bless you Gus!

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Top reviews from other countries

Di

One of the most heart-warming books I have ever read....

Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2006

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"Just Gus" is a book you can read in less than an hour as the book is mostly photography. I laughed and I cried. Finished it on a break at work and had tears streaming down my face. Gus was an amazing dog as was the woman who shared her life with him and loved him. Totally a book to be read and treasured by anyone who has loved a dog. More so...for anyone that has rescued a dog that lived in a shelter or has been abused. Gus was and is a beautiful dog. His "mom" was a beautiful person to have opened her heart to him. I wish more people understood the plight of shelter dogs and special care need dogs. This book actually gets more than 5 stars from me because it totally touched my heart. My last two dogs have been rescues from other countries. Sadly one passed passed away of aggressive cancer in June (2006) after only having shared my life for 3 1/2 years although she was about 9. She was a street dog for 5 or 6 years. My new pup had a very rough first 9 or 10 months. "Just Gus" showed why adopting a rescue dog is a good thing. The love and devotion you receive is unbelievable and the love you get to give in return is equally amazing. If you love dogs and only buy one book this year...this is the one. Right now, it is doing the rounds. Have lent it out for all of my dog loving friends to read. Have a Kleenex or two handy. :-)

Di (Ontario, Canada)

11 people found this helpful

T W

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2017

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Good

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