The world is full of starving, abused animals. It is also full of people who need a loving friend. How these two worlds come together and the positive changes rescued animals have made to the people who open their hearts to them are the focus of this genuinely heart-warming collection of stories. As Jane Goodall states in her introduction, around the world, the therapeutic power of animals is being recognized, and this truism is borne out by uplifting testimonies. As the author says, what rescued animals do best is forgive and provide love. Cimmaron, a Thoroughbred who survived a horrific accident in a horse trailer, is now one of the prized therapy horses at a stable for handicapped riders. Randy Grim and his canine pal Quentin, who survived a euthanasia attempt in a gas chamber, cruise the streets of East St. Louis rescuing dogs and cats amid urban decay. Parrots, perpetual three-year-olds armed with a sharp object and living up to 80 years are expensive and routinely abandoned pets, 1,400 of whom have been rescued and re-homed by Eileen McCarthy. Beautifully illustrated with Judy Olausen's photographs.--Bent, Nancy Copyright 2008 Booklist