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

Robert Rodi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Street Press; Later printing edition (June 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594630542
• ISBN-13: 978-1594630545
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #930,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Rodi (b.1956) was born in Chicago, a town seething with literary and musical energy, and he has spent his life immersed in their currents. His first novels, which quickly gained him cult status, were deftly drawn satires of the city's gay scene. While continuing to write fiction (most recently, "The Sugarman Bootlegs") he's branched out into nonfiction, the better to share his enthusiasm for the world of canine agility (in "Dogged Pursuit") and all things Italian, specifically the great Tuscan horse race, the Palio ("Seven Seasons In Siena").

He also writes comic books for both Vertigo and Marvel, pens a self-described "guerilla lit-crit" blog about Jane Austen called "Bitch In a Bonnet", and covers the local performing arts scene for The Huffington Post. He's a performer himself, being an auxiliary member of Chicago's esteemed monologuist ensemble BoyGirlBoyGirl; he's also the front man for the fusion rock band 7th Kind (whose CD "Sea Monster" is available on Amazon).

For more information, visit his website, http://www.robertrodi.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning from unexpected sources.., June 16, 2009

By 

Luv Goldenz "Blondie" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, the World's Least Likely Agility Dog (Hardcover)

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!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast, Funny and Fabulous read, June 21, 2009

By 

Patricia Goodspeed - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, the World's Least Likely Agility Dog (Hardcover)

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!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny Fabulous - Loved It, June 17, 2009

By 

Harem Kees (Skokie, Il USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogged Pursuit: My Year of Competing Dusty, the World's Least Likely Agility Dog (Hardcover)

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!!