Dogged Pursuit Is A Winner

Dogged Pursuit: How a Rescue Dog Rescued Me is a true story that chronicles author Robert Rodi and his independent-minded dog Dusty’s year-long journey within the world of canine agility competition. The book starts off with the feel of a Cinderfella story: Dusty, a somewhat unusual looking (and behaving) abused Sheltie is repeatedly passed over for adoption until the author arrives and takes pity on him.

At that point I expected the story to progress along the usual lines of “diamond in the rough” and “dog makes good” (something the author was hoping for as well), but the story, and their lives, end up being less (much less) about achieving wins and more about the journey.

An intelligent writer with a well-developed sense for the absurd in life, Rodi skillfully weaves together such diverse topics as dog training, music, literature, and cooking with personal insights and a great deal of charm. And his somewhat snarky comments on human nature, dogs and their lives in and out of the agility ring are so funny – at times I laughed out loud.

As a professional in alternative healing I especially enjoyed Rodi’s encounters with “woo-woo” modalities such as flower essences, acupuncture and animal communication. With self-deprecating humor he shines the light on how a desire to win can sometimes lead you down paths you never thought you’d choose.

Dogged Pursuit: How a Rescue Dog Rescued Me was a very enjoyable read. Robert Rodi and Dusty may not have won a lot of blue ribbons in agility, but they certainly are winners in my eyes.

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Think Outside the Cage
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About Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing:

A pioneer in Reiki and shamanic healing for people and animals, Rose De Dan has seen firsthand the profound healing impact of this work on the lives of others. A Reiki Master Teacher, mesa carrier in the Peruvian Q’ero tradition, and animal communicator, she teaches classes and workshops for those interested in learning more about energy medicine.

Rose is also author of the acclaimed book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism, and creator of Animal and Reiki Art. As an animal shaman, she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth through such events as A Walk on the Wild Side: Answering the Call of the Wild.

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