One Dog at a time

One Dog at a Time By Pen Farthing · Narrated by Kerry Hutchinson - with an introduction read by the author.

'Thick with rolls of gleaming, new wire, the obstacle was designed to prevent a suicide bomber driving into the compound’s thick mud walls. Today, however, it had only succeeded in stopping a small, white, terrified-looking dog. I knew that the Taliban could be hiding in any one of these buildings just waiting for one of us. But I knew I couldn’t just walk away.'

In a remote outpost of Now Zad, in Helmand Province, Pen Farthing’s tour of duty will change his life forever, but for entirely unexpected reasons...

Appalled by the horrors of a local dog fight, he intervenes to free the victims. One of these dogs finds his way into the Marine compound - and into Pen’s heart. Soon other strays are being drawn to the sanctuary provided by Pen’s makeshift pound. But as his time in Helmand draws to an end, Pen cannot leave the dogs of Now Zad to their own fates. He begins hatching plans to help them escape to a better life.

One Dog at a Time is the bestselling, unforgettably moving true story that launched a global animal rescue movement. From the front lines of Afghanistan to the founding of the Nowzad charity, Pen Farthing’s compassion and courage lit a spark that would save thousands of animals and change lives around the world.

His work did not go unnoticed: Pen was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2014, and his critically acclaimed follow-up, Operation Ark, chronicled the high-stakes mission to evacuate animals from Kabul during the fall of Afghanistan.

Now available in audio for the first time, this edition features a heartfelt introduction read by Pen Farthing himself, offering a deeply personal insight into the story that changed his life. One Dog at a Time brings Pen’s powerful story to life in a whole new way. It is a testament to hope, bravery, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals—even in the darkest of places.

Inspirational ... his compassion and dedication are a fine example to us all ― Daily Mail

An inspiring tale. Heartwarming stuff ― News of the World

An exciting, funny and moving book ... Nowzad, AK, Jena, Tali and their pups could melt a stone's heart ― Guardian

An emotional rollercoaster that will keep you turning the pages and reaching for the Kleenex - don't miss it -10/10 ― Your Dog

© 2025 Raconteurs Audio (Audiobook): 9781915564054

Release date

Audiobook: 20 August 2025