HarperCollins snaps up memoir from street dog saviour Harbison

HarperCollins has snapped up Hope – How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life: Featuring Rodney, McMuffin and King Whacker, the memoir by entrepreneur and street dog rescuer Niall Harbison.

HarperNonFiction publishing director Ajda Vucicevic struck the deal with the author directly and the book will publish on 31st August 2023.

After selling two successful advertising companies and relocating to Thailand, Harbison’s alcohol addiction began to spiral. He eventually found himself in intensive care, where he resolved to channel his energy into something positive.

The book’s synopsis reads: “This marked the start of his campaign to save street dogs in Thailand, where he now feeds up to 650 dogs through a network of volunteers, rescuing many from dire situations. He has built up a loyal following on Instagram, sharing their stories to his 335,000 dedicated followers. Hope is the story of how the street dogs that Niall saved, ended up saving him. It includes chapters on some of Niall’s most popular dogs, such as McMuffin, King Whacker and newest arrival, little Rodney.”

Harbison said: “After nearly drinking myself to death and ending up in the ICU, I know how lucky I am to be here and a big part of that is thanks to these street dogs. Helping them is now my only vocation and something that has changed my life as much as I hope to change it for millions of dogs around the world. But little did I know how much, in helping them, they would teach me about the meaning of life. From material possessions, to love, forgiveness and gratitude. I thought I was saving the dogs but they were of course saving me. I really wanted to pour my heart and soul into a book to try and share some of the invaluable lessons the dogs have taught me along the way.”

Vucicevic added: “Dogs bring out the best in us but every now and then a person comes along who embodies love, passion and the will to make each dog’s life count. Niall is that person. A rare example of what selfless determination and unbounded hope can achieve. His work with the thousands of street dogs in Thailand has taught me, in a short time what it means to have patience, virtue and belief. He really is one of a kind and I could not be prouder or happier to be publishing his incredible life story. I know his many fans around the world are rooting for him, and I also know that this book will shine a light on all that he does. Plus who can resist more cute pictures of his remarkable dogs.”