Follow My Lead is the story of how two rambunctious dogs and a tough Eastern European dog trainer named Irina taught Carol Quinn everything she needed to know about life, love, and happiness. It all begins when the author—unhappy with her failing love affair, her career, and even herself—decides to enroll her two Rhodesian ridgebacks into dog agility training. She's hoping to both find a hobby and straighten out her unruly pets, but she soon discovers that dog agility demands more from her than she ever expected. What follows is a life-changing experience: one that teaches her not only about her dogs but also about herself. With Irina’s guidance and wisdom, Quinn and her dogs develop a deep bond of trust as they learn to navigate the course obstacles, and Quinn begins to accept her own flaws, allowing her to find the inner strength to become the “alpha dog” of her own life.
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"In this beautifully written story of a woman in transition, Carol Quinn embarks on a journey of self-discovery and imparts hard-won life lessons with insight and humor." - Bas Bleu
Any experienced dog trainer-especially the ones who teach the beginner and puppy classes-will tell you that the real secret of teaching dog obedience classes lies in training the owners. Although this concept lies at the heart of Carol Quinn's Follow My Lead, don't think for a minute that the book is just about that. The simple-sounding premise (woman at a crossroads in her personal life takes up training her dogs and learns some valuable lessons in the process) unfolds into a love letter to the human/animal bond that's multi-layered, funny, sad, and philosophical.-Shaggy Dog Stories
"Follow My Lead is so much more than a book about dog training—it’s a book about life and all the glorious ways in which we can learn from our interactions with our best friends. Through melding the stories of training her two spunky Rhodesian Ridgebacks in the agility ring with tales from her everyday life, author Carol Quinn delivers a compelling narrative that evidences the transformational power of the bond between a human and their canine companions. Taking a step back to see what dogs can teach us about our own lives opens the door to truly fulfilling a happy existence, and Quinn’s reminder couldn’t be timelier in our connected world."—LIFE + DOG Magazine
"[T]his uplifting memoir encourages reflection and goal–setting, all within the ever–popular narrative framework of the human–dog bond."—Kirkus Reviews
“Two Rhodesian ridgebacks rescue the Venice–based writer from a midlife funk in this warm–hearted confirmation of what most pet owners already know: Dogs really are man’s—or woman’s—best friend.”—Los Angeles Magazinex
“Quinn’s conversational tone, evident affection for her dogs, and willingness to examine her mistakes endear her as a narrator…”—Publisher's Weekly
From the Author
"My heart goes out to every man and woman who has walked away from the
wrong thing without a clear picture of where to go next. My advice? Get a dog." Carol Quinn
Author Carol Quinn is a partner with MeekerQuinn, a communications, marketing and branding consultancy supporting growth and innovation for both established and emerging companies. She is an Adjunct Professor at USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism. Carol has written for film and television, and is the co-creator/author of the graphic novel series Pink Flamingos, the creator of the YA book series Palm Beach Prep, and the author of a new novel, Under the Ether. She has two sons and lives in Southern California.
This is an excellent read for any dog lover, dog owner, and even people who never owned dogs. The lessons you can take away about life, love, inter-acting with loved ones, and the way we approach life situations is all priceless. The way Carol relays her experiences training the dogs and what she began to learn about her life are valuable as well as honest accounts.
Her honesty is the most refreshing part of the experience. Whether she was right or wrong in any given situation, we can all relate to it. From the relationship with the dogs to the relationship with the dog trainer, everything connected to her own personal relationships.
I don't think you could find anyone that wouldn't take something away from reading through the various lessons and trials.
I would urge you to purchase the book, add it to your kindles, iPads, etc. It will be a reference point for all sorts of life experiences.
It is like having coffee and great conversation with a friend!
A deeply moving, beautifully written story of a woman in transition and how her dogs help her to frame her own struggles. The Ridgebacks are fully realized characters (who can forget Sheila's neuroses or Nairobi's goofy sense of humor?) in this compelling story, as are the humans who inhabit and complicate Quinn's world. I learned a lot about dogs and agility training as well as resolving difficult relationships, and am still rereading and underlining passages that speak to my own life. I'm guessing that every woman or man who reads this book will also find important guidance. A delightful mix of self-help, romantic adventure, dog training advice and memoir, the book has something for almost everyone. Highly recommended.
It is complex yet simple...and it leaves a mark deep in the annals of your heart and soul! And if you love life and animals...and you believe in "can't live without you" love...the mark left is intensified and unforgettable!
But the best review is yet to come...from you...for the words you will read will embed in your heart...and you will find your own insistence to share what you'll receive from "Follow My Lead!"
