Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Follow My Lead is so much more than a book about dog training—its 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 Quinns reminder couldnt 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 mans—or womans—best friend.”—Los Angeles Magazinex
Quinns conversational tone, evident affection for her dogs, and willingness to examine her mistakes endear her as a narrator
”—Publisher's Weekly
Synopsis
Follow My Lead is the story of how two rambunctious dogs and a tough Russian dog trainer named Irina taught Carol Quinn everything she needed to know about life, love, and happiness. It all begins when the author decidessomewhat naivelyto enroll her two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Nairobi and Sheila, into dog agility training. Unhappy with her failing love affair, her stagnant career, and even herself, she’s hoping to find a hobby and straighten out her unruly but affectionate pets. She soon discovers that dog agility is not a lazy game of fetchit’s a highly competitive sport that requires owners to move their dogs through a timed obstacle course using only voice and hand signals. What follows is a life-changing experience: a learning process that teaches her not only about her dogs, but also about herself. As she continues, the training, and even the obstacle course itself, becomes a metaphor for her life.
With humor and candor, Quinn shares the parallel story of how, with Irina’s guidance and wisdom, she and her dogs develop a deep bond of love and trust, and learn to navigate the course obstacles with grace and skill; and how she, too, overcomes life’s obstacles by accepting her flaws and finding the inner strength to move forwardaway from her doomed love affair, fears, and anxietiesand become the alpha dog” of her own life.
Funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, Follow My Lead is a story full of useful life lessons and homespun wisdom that will entertain and inspire readers of all sensibilities, whether they are dog lovers or not.
Synopsis
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.
About the Author
Originally from Milton, MA, Carol Quinn is the owner and creative director of Benedict Partners, Inc., an advertising agency in Venice, California. She has written for film and television; her most recent project is the feature screenplay
Five Days in May, which was sold to director J. Michael McClary. Quinn is the co-creator/author of the first American mass-market graphic novels for girls,
Pink Flamingos, the creator of the YA book series
Palm Beach Prep, and the narrative and story editor for Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Neal’s memoir
As I Am. She has a degree in drama from Arts Educational Schools, London, and a bachelor’s degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Quinn recently completed her first novel, Under the Ether, and is writing a screenplay based on the novel. She also has a second novel in progress. She has two sons and lives in Venice, California.