The Latest...Talking My Turn on a Few Podcasts:Talking fostering on the Fostering 101 Podcast.
Talking Who Will Let the Dogs Out with the Animal Rescue Podcast. Talking the Shelter Situation with All My Children Wear Fur Coats. 
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 practical, hopeful guide to transforming animal shelters—and the communities they serve. For some, it’s an inside look at the crisis facing shelters today and an invitation to get involved. For those on the front lines, it’s a blueprint for creating shelters that provide safety, healing, and real community support.
Because this work isn’t just about saving dogs. It’s about helping the people who love them and have struggled too long without the resources they need. Drawn from hundreds of visits to shelters and rescues—and conversations with Animal Control Officers, directors, veterinarians, advocates, and volunteers—this book shares what works. Inside are real stories and practical solutions built on three essential pillars: strong leadership, access to veterinary care, and meaningful community engagement. WWLDO aims to place this book directly into the hands of those doing the work, equipping them with the tools and inspiration to change their story. Together, we can build shelters that truly serve. Together, we can let the dogs out. 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. New Covers!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
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." 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, hiking habits, 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 some writing (and life) advice from me featured in Canvas Rebel. 
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 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!I am currently taking a short break from fostering to focus on a publishing project- watch for news on that front soon. And watch this space - I'll be back to fostering in March!
If you're interested in fostering dogs (and saving lives), feel free to email me ([email protected]) or pick up a copy of Another Good Dog, my book all about fostering! 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!
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.
Who Will Let the Dogs Out?
Who Will Let the Dogs Out is a 501c3 nonprofit with the mission is to raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them. Our shelter crisis must be solved locally, so we travel to shelters in person to understand their challenges and share them. We offer practical support and solutions to shelters struggling to save lives through visits, recommendations, resources, grant programs, and networking events.
To date, we've made more than 200 visits to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds in 16 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. |
