Mar 18, 2026
Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries,
Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts
Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West Podcast
and its Book Club episode featuring author Tony Soika, a retired
U.S. Army officer with 30 years of service and extensive
animal-rescue volunteering. Soika discusses his deep pull toward
the Florida Keys since first visiting in 1999, his transition
challenges after leaving the military, and how becoming a
late-in-life father shaped him and influenced his writing. He
explains how his novel Pit Bulls in Paradise (first in the Conch
House Chronicles) follows retired officer John Tuttle in the Keys
as he uncovers a dogfighting ring after pit bulls with fighting
injuries arrive at a shelter, reflecting Soca’s real-life rescue of
a pit bull and his advocacy that “there are no bad dogs, only bad
owners.”
00:00 Welcome
to Fun in Key West
01:26
Meet Tony Soika
04:09 Tony’s
Life and Dogs
05:03 Why
the Keys Call You
07:31 Fatherhood
and Inspiration
10:04 From
Coaching to Novels
12:14 Why
Pit Bulls in Paradise
13:43 Rescuing
Honey Bear
16:26 Building
John Tuttle
19:28 Veteran
to Civilian Shift
21:38 Finding
Identity in Key West
23:21 Dogs
Feel Our Pain
25:00 Why
Animal Cruelty Matters
27:33 Setting
the Story in Key West
29:08 Making
Key West Feel Real
30:30 John
the Reluctant Hero
31:50 Next
Book Afghanistan Thread
33:55 Key
West Signings and Support
35:58 Rescue
Dogs and Local Favorites
40:25 Book
Heart and Real Cameos
44:06 Where
to Follow and Final Wrap