Dogged...and Determined: The TAZ Adventures [Paperback]

Scott Ski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2001

Scott, Robbi, a brace of dogs, a bevy of catsand Colonel TazHumor. Pathos. Insightand a cyclone of rambunctious huskies. Follow a truly shared experience that weaves a lively and memorable tapestry the reader will enjoy again and again. Beyond the feel good nature of soup stories, the Taz Adventures offer a strong take away value of wisdom and wit of practical application and use in life. This crayola box of reminiscences records the authors true experiences. Some of these tales and antics will bring a knowing smile to those who live with dogs; it is a mutual memoir. For others, it may lend insight into how our pets profoundly affect us in ways we often do not realize.Selected from the ongoing online canine cult classic, see why TAZ and his legions are have so unforgettable.Come to a wondrous real world where every person, pet and place has unique personality and significance; where the simple can profoundly teach the wise, where tears mingle with laughter and frustration often brings satisfaction. Come and join a wild stream of adventures where every moment finds mirth, inspiration and a new experience in self-discovery. Come and see. You wont be disappointed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott Ski has been in love with the written and spoken word all his life. He and long time friend and partner Robbi Rustuen still reside in Southern California. As of this writing, they still own huskiesPlease pray for them.Addicere Aliquem Canibus Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.Erasmus (d. 1536)

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (August 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595195237
• ISBN-13: 978-0595195237
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,350,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars buy this book .... really!, December 21, 2001

By 

david edwards (elgin, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogged...and Determined: The TAZ Adventures (Paperback)

as someone who has has siberians around the house for the last twenty years, all i can say is it's all true.

over the past few years of reading these stories on sibernet, i've always smiled when i would see myself or my dogs in these stories. i have a few friends who have gotten sibes based on these stories, and a few who have read them and said 'what was i thinking.'

this book is a crash course in being owned by huskies. it's full of love and laughter and tears. and so is life with sibes.

anyone who shares their lives with dogs should get this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone thinking of getting a Siberian Husky!, December 15, 2001

By 

Daniel Meunier (Catskill, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogged...and Determined: The TAZ Adventures (Paperback)

A must read for anyone thinking of buying a Siberian Husky! Scott has seen it all in his years of rescuing this demanding high-maintenance breed. Through the years, he's taken in dogs rejected by owners who had little idea what they were getting into when they selected that intractable house-eating energizer bunny of a pup who, it just turns out, is also adept at climbing or digging under fences. We get to meet Scott's sweet delinquents in this collection of short moving essays which have, for years, been entertaining readers on the internet.

Here is Taz, Colonel Taz, he of the piercing blue eyes and regal disposition. A gentle Tasmanian Devil whose early goal is to invite the feline residents to dinner - as the main course. Beautiful tragic Kismet, who escaped and was lost forever moments after being rescued. Sweet loving Missy, whose mental acuity was left severely impacted from childhood disease. Missy's reaction to everything in life can be summed up as "Oooh, this is fun!" - yet, she'll howl like a banshee if left alone. Actually, a banshee wouldn?t quite live up to the sheer abandon with which a Siberian Husky will let the world know that you are the reincarnation of Vincent Price visiting some horrible medieval torture on this poor helpless creature by leaving it alone for but a moment.

Each of Scott's witty, funny, occasionally heart-rending tale is a complete story in itself. Yet, the cumulative effect of the book is more than the sum of its parts. I would recommend this life-affirming book to all, even if you have already read the individual essays in the past.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must own" for animal lovers, October 30, 2001

By 

Barbara L. Branham "sibemom" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dogged...and Determined: The TAZ Adventures (Paperback)

With four Siberians as part of my family how could I not buy this book! Also, as a long-time member of a the Siberian Husky e-mail list where the author has been posting his stories about his foster dog,Taz, and the other animals in his household, I was already a fan of the Taz Adventures but it was wonderful to have so many of the stories put together in a handsome book.

I've been reading the book the last few nights, unable to put the book down until I could no longer keep my eyes open. Even though I have read many of the originals on Sibernet they are stories one can read and reread, sometimes ROTFL (e-mail talk for "rolling on the floor laughing"), sometimes in tears. Siberian owners will identify with the tribulations of Scott and his long-time friend, Robbi, as Taz constantly finds new ways to surprise them. Sometimes the surprises are pleasant, often they are a strong jolt to the heart -- as in heart-attack inducing events. Siberians are not for the faint-hearted.

Taz, who was left at the pound as an owner-turn-in came only with one piece of information about his past: his name. That should have been a clue as "Taz" is short for Tasmanian Devil. But the scruffy, red-and-white, young dog with the piercing blue eyes sitting so quietly in the corner of his cage seemed so promising as a foster. Alas, from the moment Taz set paw in the rambling old Victorian that Scott and Robbi's call home, he proceeded to live up to his name -- in spades. Like most Siberians Taz is intelligent,inventive and has endless energy to carry out his mayhem.

Other characters in the stories include several cats, among them, Chessie, who is not cowed one bit by Taz (who considers all cats lunch), Megan, the Velcro Aussie Shepherd, Ninja, the chow mix who regularly takes on Taz and usually makes a trip to the vet afterward; the other foster Siberians: Missy, sweet, vacant, brain-damaged by a bout with Parvo; Travis, the big, dumb, good 'ol boy, Elvis, of the dark sideburns, and others. The cast is constantly changing among the huskies except for Taz. Taz goes to promising permanent homes; Taz comes back. This is repeated. And repeated. Will Taz ever find his "forever" home? Read the book to find out.

Ultimately the stories teach us lessons about life and about the unique relationship between animals and humans. This is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves animals.