Dogged Pursuit
By Robert Rodi
(Hudson Street Press, Hardcover, 9781594630545, 288pp.)
Publication Date: June 2009
Categories: Dogs - General, Essays
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Best in Show meets Marley and Me in the hilarious (mis)adventures of an unlikely duo competing for glory on the pro dog circuit
An urban intellectual and a scruffy, disobedient Sheltie team up to conquer the Canine Agility pro-circuit in this hysterical account of the quest for glory in the competitive dog world. A cousin to the popular best-in-breed show, agility competitions resemble doggie boot camp: dogs scamper across teeter-totters, jump tires, and scoot down tunnels-without leashed guidance from a human. Taking home ribbons requires a focused handler and a cooperative dog.
Robert Rodi is a self-proclaimed Blue-stater who prefers fine wine and Italian literature (in Italian) to SUVs and suburban sprawl. His dog Dusty's scrawny build and skittish personality make him an unnatural competitor. Nevertheless, Rodi recounts a year filled with victories, failures, and hysterical personalities, and the loving bond between one man and his bug-eyed dog.
Robert Rodi is the owner of three dogs and the author of seven novels. He's also written short stories, literary criticism, and works for the stage. He divides his time between Chicago, where he was born, and Siena, Italy. In dog years he is 350.
DOGGED PURSUIT is filled with wit and humor. Neither Dusty nor Robert are sure if they're going to make it in the strange world of agility. But, like all great dogs, Dusty brings the best out in his human partner...lots of fun!
-Greg Kincaid, The author of the New York Times Best Seller, A Dog Named Christmas.
"The most difficult "agility circuit" in this book is the hilarious and twisting road upon which Robert Rodi has embarked in his determination to train a recalcitrant Sheltie. It's one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. But then, to a dog, it's probably seven times funnier."
-Cathie Pelletier, author of The Funeral Makers and Running the Bulls
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