The Latest...
Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and RescuesWho Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues is a book about hands-on solutions for shelters and the reverberating impact of individuals. For many, it’s a primer on what is happening and an invitation to get involved. But for the shelters, it’s a blueprint for creating a shelter that provides shelter in the truest sense of the word, and serves as an important community resource. It’s about saving the dogs, but also about saving the people who have struggled too long without the resources and support they need.
Over the course of 150 visits to shelters and rescues in 13 states, I’ve learned a lot. This book draws from those experiences and conversations with hundreds of Animal Control Officers, Shelter and Rescue directors, advocates, veterinarians, and volunteers. I’ve met thousands of animals in dog pounds and million-dollar shelters. We’ve seen the struggle and the heartbreak. It’s time to offer solutions. The book is full of stories of shelters who have found solid ways to save the dogs in their care. It shares ideas for leadership, veterinary access, and community engagement—the three things we believe are critical if we want to solve our current crisis. WWLDO wants to put copies of this book into the hands of the people on the front lines of the shelter and rescue crisis and give them the ideas and inspiration to change the story. We are in the midst of an Indiegogo campaign to raise the money to do that. We’ll use this book as a platform to start a new conversation about how we create sustainable shelters where dogs can heal and move on to better lives. We see a better future for our shelters – places where pet owners can come to find support, resources, training, and a community focused on caring for the animals in their midst. We believe that TOGETHER we can let the dogs out. 
I'm Not Her, my trading places novel (and the book of my heart) and Girls' Weekend, my runaway moms novel, have been rereleased with new covers!
One Hundred Dogs & CountingOne Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and A Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues
!00 Dogs continues our foster journey begun in Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs, and takes you deeper into the world of dog rescue to discover where the dogs come from and why. But most importantly, it offers hope, heroes, and an opportunity for you to help.
Read latest reviews! 
Blind Turn
An examination of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident.
Liz Johnson single-handedly raised an exemplary daughter—honor student, track star, and all-around good kid—despite the disapproval of her father and her small town. How could that same teenager be responsible for the death of the high school’s beloved football coach? This is Texas, where high school football ranks right up there with God, so while the legal battle wages, the public deals its own verdict. Desperate for help, Liz turns to a lawyer whose affection she long ago rejected and attempts to play nice with her ex-husband, while her daughter struggles with guilt and her own demons as she faces the consequences of an accident she doesn’t remember. Can one careless decision alter a lifetime? A tragic, emotional, ultimately uplifting story, BLIND TURN could be anyone’s story. Here's what people are saying:In BLIND TURN, the newest novel from Cara Sue Achterberg, the unthinkable becomes real when a moment of texting means that a good and careful girl takes the life of the beloved football coach in a Texas town where football is religion. Achterberg’s writing is so acute and deeply felt, this story so urgent and heart-wrenching, that the reader cannot turn away.
-Jacquelyn Mitchard, NYT best-selling author, THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN One of the few books in recent memory I was completely unable to put down, yet still wished I could read more slowly so it would never end. Achterberg writes with a seamless combination of aching sensitivity and a page-turning urgency. Easily one of the best books of any genre I’ve read this entire year. -C.H. Armstrong, author of Roam and The Edge of Nowhere Blind Turn is a heart-wrenching telling of any parent’s nightmare – when our teenager makes a mistake that has lifelong repercussions. How these characters pull together to survive incredibly difficult times is a testament to the power of love and family. This book will stay in my mind and heart for a long while. ~Kelli Estes, USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk and Today We Go Home BLIND TURN is also available as an audiobook from Beacon Audiobooks and is available on Audible!Who Will Let the Dogs Out?
Who Will Let the Dogs Out is a 501c3 nonprofit created by photographer, Nancy Slattery, and myself. Our mission is to raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them through writing, photographs, and film to offer support and inspire change.
To date, we have traveled to 110 shelters, rescues, and dog pounds in twelve states. You can find more information and support our work at WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org. To keep up with us, be sure to subscribe to our blog and YouTube or tag along on Facebook, Instagram and/or Tik Tok.
I am convinced that this situation doesn't exist because people don't care, it exists because people don't know. I hope you will join us. Together we can let the dogs out. Me? On TV?
Yep, that's me on the set of Home & Family (Hallmark Channel). I had the chance to be their guest and talk not only about my latest book, Another Good Dog, but what it's been like to foster over one hundred dogs. I enjoyed my little brush with Hollywood, but LA traffic just about did me in!
People Magazine chose
Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs as a People's Pick! You can learn all about the book, the dogs, and fostering at www.anothergooddog.org 
"A warm and entertaining memoir about what happens when you foster fifty dogs in less than two years―and how the dogs save you as much as you save them.
When asked how she can possibly say goodbye to that many loveable pups, Cara says, “If I don’t give this one away, I can’t possibly save another.” Filled with humanity and hope, Another Good Dog will take the reader on an journey of smiles, laughs, and tears―and lead us to wonder how many other good dogs are out there and what we can do to help." Best Friends Animal Society Newsletter called Another Good Dog the 'feel good read of the year.' Here's what NYT Bestselling author, Peter Zhuetlin, had to say about Another Good Dog:
“A big hearted, inspiring and passionate look at a critical piece of the rescue puzzle. Lucky are the dogs who pass through Cara Sue Achterberg’s arms on their way to the lives they so richly deserve.” |
Connect with me just about anywhere:Who am I, you ask?I am an irrepressible writer, a curious cook, a lazy gardener, a loyal friend, a dog trainer in training, and a wannabe thru-hiker. I'm also a compulsive blogger, a creative writing teacher, an almost famous novelist, and a rescue dog advocate. I will talk your ear off about processed food, growing tomatoes, Virginia wine, shelter dogs, or the puppies I'm currently fostering. If you ask about my kids, I may brag a bit, as they are certainly worth bragging about. If you follow me on Facebook or instagram you'll be treated to near daily doses of my thoughts, adventures, and animal photos. Links to all my social media ramblings are above. I'd be honored if you followed me anywhere....
Here's an interview with a top-rate book blogger - she even features some of my foster pups! 
I'd Love to Meet You
One of my favorite things to do is visit book clubs. If you're club would like me to stop by in person (or by skype or Facetime), give me a shout and I'd be happy to get it on my calendar!
Need a speaker/presenter (in person or virtually) on any of the following topics: The Crisis in our Animal Shelters Writing Getting Published Dog Rescue Fostering Dogs and cats Then I'm your girl - contact me to set something up! And, of course, I'm happy to come sign books anywhere, anytime! 
Current Fosters!
Gracie Lou is a compact, land-hippo (bulldog mix) who is looking for a couch of her own. GL hasn't had the best of care to date, living on a chain, having babies, but now she is healthy, spayed, up to date on shots, and simply adorable. She isn't going to make a great running buddy, but she sure would enjoy snuggling with you on the couch to watch football. If you'd like to know more or apply to adopt, reach out to me [email protected].
Leche is about 1.5 years old and weighs about 50 pounds. She is ALL Husky -- smart, curious, energetic, and on occasion, talkative. Leche loves everyone, especially children. She is house-trained, and doing well on a leash. She seems to get along well with other dogs. She'll need an adopter who knows the breed and what makes them thrive. Leche is spayed, microchipped, up to date on shots and available for adoption through Operation Paws for Homes.
My Life in Paragraphs
Read occasional posts of my writing journey (with occasional writing advice) on my blog, My Life in Paragraphs. Be sure to subscribe by email for the latest posts.
Another Good Dog Blog
Love dogs? Then you're my favorite kind of person. I hope you'll check out Another Good Dog, where I write about our family's adventures in dog rescue. We've fostered over 200 dogs and counting! (Plus a dozen cats) The blog has over 5000 subscribers now - hope you'll be one, too!
Love Books? Love Dogs?
Then you'll want to join me each month for Yappy Hour on the Facebook page I host with author Teresa J Rhyne (NYT best selling author of The Dog Lived and So Will I). Once a month we host other dog authors on a Facebook Live (or you can watch on Zoom) where we talk about their book, their writing, and, of course, dogs. We give away a book every week. Between Yappy Hours you can find lots of stuff pertaining to dogs and books on our Facebook page, Dogs & Books.
Meet my office mates:Otis
Otis is one of the four surviving puppies from a litter of foster puppies who broke with parvo soon after they arrived at our house. The Movie Mutts came from a dog pound in western, TN. (RIP Hooch, Toto, Enzo, and Lassie) We adopted him Christmas week 2020, and he is a daily reminder of why we rescue and all the work that is still left to do.
Miss Fanny Wiggles!
I met Fanny in a dogpound in western Tennessee in summer 2019. She was emaciated, living in filthy conditions, and destined to be destroyed at a local vet's office. Now she's the sunshine of my life, happily catching frisbees or tennis balls, racing around the agility course, and making me smile on a daily basis. If you're looking for a best friend yourself, I hope you'll choose to rescue.
Gracie
My other rescue pup, Gracie, turns fifteen this year and still has the countenance of a puppy. Gracie loves us the best she knows how-- by protecting us from the Fed Ex guy, the milkman, the horses in their pasture, and every imagined danger that only she sees. She has mellowed as she enters her second decade, though, and is sweeter and friendlier, collasping in a heap at the first touch and offering her belly for endless rubs.
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