Sitting With Dogs
Rocky Kanaka
DK Publisher
October 2025
Rocky Kanaka is known the world over as a dog rescue advocate. His millions of fans follow along each week as Rocky visits shelters and finds dogs in need. He often finds the most hopeless cases—dogs that have been abandoned because they’re sick or their owners can no longer care for them, or they’ve never had a home and have been living on the street—and helps them find their forever homes. Through patience, kindness, and love, Rocky helps dogs trust and love again, even if it’s just for the short time Rocky visits with them in the shelter.
Sitting with Dogs is a collection of stories about nine rescue dogs that each got off to a rough start but found their way into Rocky’s arms. From the story of Flip, Rocky’s first rescue and his inspiration for dedicating his life to saving lost and abandoned dogs, to Macy, who was so emaciated when she arrived at the shelter that no one thought she would survive, Rocky’s stories will tug at your heart, bring a smile to your face, and maybe even inspire you to give a little of your own time to a dog in need. And you don’t need to be a dog expert to make a difference. With a little love and patience, you can do exactly what Rocky does—change lives.
Elise Cooper: Why write the book?
RK: My “Sitting With Dogs” YouTube series is about being vulnerable with a shelter dog to bring them comfort in their darkest moments and to shed light on the ones that are often overlooked because of their fear and sadness. When a publisher approached me with the idea of writing a book, it made me think how great it would be that more eyes could see the inspiring and heartwarming stories of these dogs. More importantly, it could inspire people to adopt, volunteer or get involved with their local animal shelters.
EC: Why highlight these particular dogs?
RK: These dogs are all unique in their stories and their personalities, but they all started off the same way, in the shelter and overlooked. These specific dogs’ stories were chosen because I felt they represented a piece of this journey to find every shelter dog a loving home and why I love dogs so much. For example, Bean and his determination to rise above the bad start he got with a broken leg, or Macy and her forgiveness towards humans despite coming into the shelter starving and emaciated.
EC: Can you briefly summarize each dog in this book?
RK: Flip was my soul dog. He inspired so much of what I do and continues to inspire me every day to carry on this mission. He even saved my life, quite literally. But there are so many amazing dogs in this book, like Casper the Dogo Argentino, whose size and behavior normally would be very intimidating, but when sitting with him, it would prove that looks can be deceiving. Each dog’s story shares a different value or lesson that I learned from them.
EC: Can you explain what is Sitting With Dogs?
RK: “Sitting With Dogs” is about shedding light on the dogs people pass by in shelters across the country that are waiting to be adopted. When I ‘sit’ with a dog, the goal is not to fix everything that’s wrong, but to show them comfort and love, even if just briefly.
EC: Do you want to give a warning to people who want a dog and never owned one about making sure the chosen one fits into their lifestyle?
RK: Before deciding to adopt, there’s definitely factors to consider – one, consider the breed. Different breeds need different things. For example, a Belgian Malinois is going to need a job to do and exercise to keep them happy. Ask yourself if the breed’s needs fit your lifestyle, or if you’re willing and ready to make those adjustments. This dog will be a permanent part of your family for the next 10-15 years so having the willingness to make adjustments as needed to keep you and your pup happy.
EC: Please explain this quote: Dogs love you always and forever.
RK: “Dogs love you always and forever” means both now and after they’ve crossed the rainbow bridge. The unconditional love dogs give us is everlasting; in life, it shows in the constant forgiveness they show to us and their judgment free attitudes. Dogs don’t care who you are, where you come from, what you look like, nothing like that. All they care about is that you’re there for them, and that’s enough. When they pass, the unconditional love they brought to us in life stays with us, teaches us lessons, and continues to leave an impact wherever we go.
EC: It seems that the book implies it is OK to get another dog after a dog soulmate passes and it does not mean disloyalty. Please explain.
RK: Everlasting love from a dog never goes away. When a soul dog passes, it’s so hard and it’s okay to take time to grieve that loss. But opening your heart to adopting another dog after your soul dog passes can heal the heart in so many ways. Dogs live in the moment and the dog you adopt after your soul dog will feel that love you carried inside you. It doesn’t mean disloyalty, it means allowing your heart to grow and expand. Your soul dog will never be replaced – they’ll always occupy a big part of your heart, it’s just about making room for another pup that needs your love, too!
EC: What is Flip Coffee?
RK: When you drink Flip Coffee you’re helping rehabilitate shelter dogs on our farm, Flip Farms. This is where we support the rehabilitation of shelter dogs by giving them the second chance they deserve. We cover medical bills, therapy, training and more. Our new farm in Oceanside, California has a lot of new projects that will be launching soon. And because we are neighboring the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton, we’ll be putting together programs to pair service members with dogs to help each other rehabilitate. My grandfather, a World War II Marine Corps Veteran and an Iwo Jima survivor, taught me a tremendous amount about giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
EC: What do you want readers to get out of the book?
RK: While getting dogs adopted is one goal, I hope this book will inspire more people to go down to their local animal shelter and offer their help. You might not be ready to squeeze right into a kennel with a nervous stray, but shelters are always looking for help of some kind. If I can inspire you to volunteer, foster, adopt or use any skills to help, then I’ve done my job. If this book helps you understand just how much good you can do by just getting started, even if in small doses, then it’s done its job, too. Whether you are looking to change course in your life or have found some passion in helping animals, by getting involved you will find out what you’re capable of.
THANK YOU!!
