Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, the World's Least Likely Agility Dog

I have owned quite a few dogs in my life (I am 61). I have to say that I was not impressed with the way this man pushed a dog that was obviously not suited for this sport. I have done many things with my dogs and if one truly is not suited for the activity, I find another that the dog enjoys more. It seems this was more about his needs/wants/interest than those of the poor dog.

I bought this book because it was a tale of a handler with a reactive sheltie, which I have as well. Turns out, the reactivity is not quite the same as mine, but I was just drawn into the book by the author's captivating way of describing the agility world. I laughed and cried along with him as he struggled to qualify with his dog. The descriptions of the shows is so accurate and I empathized with him at every turn. I highly recommend this book to anyone doing agility or even thinking about it.

I bought this book as soon as I saw it reviewed in People magazine. I absolutely loved the book. I have been doing agility with my shelties for the last five years and can really identify with the funny things that happen. I read the book in one day. Just could not put it down and could not stop laughing. Well written and just plain fun!!!

Enjoyable and funny read. There were many laugh out loud moments. If you have ever trained an animal for anything, you can appreciate the moments in the book when Dusty and Rob are presented with new obstacles or conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful agility instructor and her humor and the description of fellow competitors. But the star of the book - Dusty (well and Rob). By the end of the book, we are captivated by Dusty and feel empathy for Rob dealing with events that conspired to ....... Well you have to read it - it is wonderful!!

Being an agility enthusiast, I had to pick up this book - and so glad I did. The author brings this world of competitors, camaraderie, characters and dog fur to life with hilarity and sensitivity. This book manages to put into words what so many of us have realized- that working closely with a beloved dog creates such a deep bond, and is full of wonderful surprises; that we are not really training the animal; we are training ourselves to work with the dog. In doing so, we are so lucky to oftentimes develop a deeper understanding of their behavior and emotions, as well as an appreciation of the gifts they give us. Mr. Rodi, for all of his fancy tastes and appreciation of culture, acknowledges that some of the simpler pleasures (a smiling dog; surprise support, quick weave poles!) are really the stuff and wonder of life. The author shows us what the agility world has to offer - not just the ribbon obsession- but the lessons one learns from other people, and from their 'furpeople'- and how funny they are!!

I could not put this down. The characters are real characters! My husband called me twice while I was reading the book and both times I was laughing out loud and I told him I'd have to call him back in a few minutes...just one more page...just 2 more pages...you get the idea! Very funny. I can't wait for the movie!