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Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog
David Rosenfelt's loyal readers of the Andy Carpenter series are familiar with Tara, the golden retriever sidekick. Many also got to know Tara from Dogtripping , David's nonfiction book about becoming a slightly nutty dog rescuer and the dog that started it all. Here, finally, is a book all about the inspirational canine who taught David everything he knows. Well, he did know how to tie his shoes before he met and came to love Tara, but that's about it. Through Tara, David learned about dating, about being able to share his emotions, and also about everyday stuff like who gets to use the pillow if several dogs are sleeping in your bed (clue: It's not the human) and why random barking will never be something that can be eliminated. Lessons From Tara is infused with David's trademark wry and self-deprecating sense of humor, and will move readers to tears and laughter.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2015
142 people are currently reading
1057 people want to read
About the author
David Rosenfelt
74 books2,887 followersI am a novelist with 27 dogs.
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
February 10, 2017
This review and the rest of the crap I write can be seen @ my blog Bark's Book Nonsense . Stop by and say hey.
This was the perfect palate cleanser after the last horror show of an audio I finished.
I was a little worried when I began and feared it would be super sad. It says it is about the life lessons learned from the world’s greatest golden retriever, their Tara, who died too young of cancer, and inspired the couple to start rescuing old and unloved dogs. And there are life lessons here but much to my delight, this book tells more about the couple’s current menagerie and is just as humorous and self-deprecating as Dogtripping. Now they have 20, 30, 40? (I just couldn’t keep track) because one is never enough!
This book felt like reading a sequel to Dogtripping and that made me unbelievably happy. When I finished Dogtripping I was sad only because it was over. Finding this book was like a wish come true. Some of the stories were a little familiar but ask me if I care? I do not and I will not say anything negative about this book. We learn more about some of the dogs that were mentioned in Dogtripping as well as a bit more about their beloved Tara. It takes place after they’ve moved their California dogs to Maine. And surprisingly the dogs, all of the dogs,very unlike me or my dogs, love the cold weather.
I love reading about people who go to great lengths to save unwanted, unadoptable, sick and miserable dogs and make their final years happy and comfy. If you’re a dog lover you’ll love this book but personally I need to stop reading these before my husband and I become these people.
This was the perfect palate cleanser after the last horror show of an audio I finished.
I was a little worried when I began and feared it would be super sad. It says it is about the life lessons learned from the world’s greatest golden retriever, their Tara, who died too young of cancer, and inspired the couple to start rescuing old and unloved dogs. And there are life lessons here but much to my delight, this book tells more about the couple’s current menagerie and is just as humorous and self-deprecating as Dogtripping. Now they have 20, 30, 40? (I just couldn’t keep track) because one is never enough!
This book felt like reading a sequel to Dogtripping and that made me unbelievably happy. When I finished Dogtripping I was sad only because it was over. Finding this book was like a wish come true. Some of the stories were a little familiar but ask me if I care? I do not and I will not say anything negative about this book. We learn more about some of the dogs that were mentioned in Dogtripping as well as a bit more about their beloved Tara. It takes place after they’ve moved their California dogs to Maine. And surprisingly the dogs, all of the dogs,very unlike me or my dogs, love the cold weather.
I love reading about people who go to great lengths to save unwanted, unadoptable, sick and miserable dogs and make their final years happy and comfy. If you’re a dog lover you’ll love this book but personally I need to stop reading these before my husband and I become these people.
March 20, 2023
David Rosenfelt is a prolific writer who co-founded the Tara Foundation with his wife. Their foundation is focused on dog rescue. I first read Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure and loved it!
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog is written very similar to Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure---great humor, dog rescue stories, compassion, and love.
However, too much of the book was too similar to Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure, so I rated it three stars.
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog is written very similar to Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure---great humor, dog rescue stories, compassion, and love.
However, too much of the book was too similar to Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, And 3 RVs On Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure, so I rated it three stars.
May 19, 2022
Great book, now joining my small list of favorite dog books out of the approximately 300 i have read so.
First, there is a lot of humor in the book. I found myself laughing out loud often.
Second, he rescues dogs. People who do that are saints in my mind, more so in the numbers he rescues. The descriptions of living with 20+ dogs at a time are amazing. I also getting to know about each dog. What to me was particularly interesting was his unfarnished descriptions of the indelicacies of dog ownership x multiple dogs. I appreciated learning more details on how to rescue dogs at that scale.
His ranting about the insensitivity of people who abandon dogs to shelters is painful but needed.
I look forward to his other book dogtripping, which i have owned for a while but didn't get around to it in the past.
Lastly i want to read this again to pull out some quotes. Love his descriptions and writing.
P.S. I read his other book 'Dogtripping' after this one. It was released prior to 'Lessons from Tara.' There is a lot of common ground in that book, but also includes the story of them moving the dogs across country in 3 RV's. You will always be more influenced by what you hear or read first, so hard to know which one I would have rated 'best' if I had read that one first, but I think 'Lessons' is a nicer condensed version that is more focused and may be an easier one to consider best if you just had to pick one. But if you love the book, it is even better to have 2 to love.
First, there is a lot of humor in the book. I found myself laughing out loud often.
Second, he rescues dogs. People who do that are saints in my mind, more so in the numbers he rescues. The descriptions of living with 20+ dogs at a time are amazing. I also getting to know about each dog. What to me was particularly interesting was his unfarnished descriptions of the indelicacies of dog ownership x multiple dogs. I appreciated learning more details on how to rescue dogs at that scale.
His ranting about the insensitivity of people who abandon dogs to shelters is painful but needed.
I look forward to his other book dogtripping, which i have owned for a while but didn't get around to it in the past.
Lastly i want to read this again to pull out some quotes. Love his descriptions and writing.
P.S. I read his other book 'Dogtripping' after this one. It was released prior to 'Lessons from Tara.' There is a lot of common ground in that book, but also includes the story of them moving the dogs across country in 3 RV's. You will always be more influenced by what you hear or read first, so hard to know which one I would have rated 'best' if I had read that one first, but I think 'Lessons' is a nicer condensed version that is more focused and may be an easier one to consider best if you just had to pick one. But if you love the book, it is even better to have 2 to love.
May 6, 2019
If you are a dog lover then I would definitely recommend that you pick up this book. It is a series of short stories about all the lessons the author has learned from the various dogs in his life, especially Tara his first dog. He and his wife are no ordinary dog owners though. They firmly believe in rescuing dogs and have their own foundation as well. In their own house they may have anywhere from 25-40 dogs at any given point. Needless to say that opens up the possibility for lots of funny stories. I chuckled out loud several times. The only flaw was that the stories start to blend together with a certain sameness.
August 4, 2015
Saw Rosenfelt for the second time last week in AZ. He speaks just as he writes! Loved this book. Hope to convince my husband to go rescue a dog soon. If you love dogs you must read this book!! It is funny, poignant, unbelievable (he and his wife have lived with upwards of 42 rescued dogs!) I don't know how they get any sleep. If you have read hie Andy Carpenter mystery series (which you should) you will realize that he is basically Andy Carpenter! I rarely give 5 stars, but this book deserves it!
August 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book just as much as dogtripping! this author writes with humor about his life with dogs. and his life with dogs all started with the first one, Tara! a few laugh out loud moments that I would read out loud to my husband, such as describing the nap teams! enjoyed this a lot!
May 9, 2019
I started reading this book the afternoon we got back from the vet’s after euthanizing our 13-year-old dog. The vet agreed with us that it was time to let him go. In this book, David Rosenfelt talks about the Tara Foundation and the very many dogs he and his wife Debbie have rescued, most of whom were elderly dogs. These were the unloved, the discarded, the sometimes sick and abused dogs, but dogs that still had some years left and love to give to their owners. They placed the ones they could in loving homes and kept the ones they felt needed their special care. It’s not only Tara, the best Golden who ever was, who taught the Rosenfelts life lessons, but the numerous other dogs who were lucky enough to come their way. Both the dogs and the Rosenfelts were blessed in finding each other. David relates humorously the aspects of getting and caring for numerous dogs: feeding them, watering them, walking them, cleaning up after them, dispensing medicines, and visiting the vet. He also explains how they knew when it was time to let go of their dogs, which is helpful to those of us at that end of the journey with our pets. He talked a bit about moving them all from the west coast to the east coast, a trip more fully explained in Dog Tripping. This account of the Rosenfelt’s life with dogs is entertaining and informative, humorous and yet at times, sad. But it is one which should be read by all animal lovers. And you will find out, with the last sentence, why they have no cats.
June 26, 2021
Is Andy Carpenter David Rosenfelt or vice versa? Whatever, I love them both and this book really made them come alive. If you are a fan of the series this is a must read.
David and his wife Debbie have devoted their lives to saving dogs from euthanasia - giving them a loving home and a bright future. They are both to be commended for their dedication to this cause. Some stories were tearjerkers while others had me laughing out loud. I’m still so impressed that he answered an email I sent him - he cares that his readers care.
I’m a cat person now (no barking, walking or poop scooping) but had two dogs while my kids were growing up - I know the trauma of having to put them down. So sad.😢
Yes, there was a Dan in this book. Dr. Dan Dowling, the vet, is an actual person who also appears as a character in the series!!
Now I have to read Dogtripping - the story of getting those dogs from California to Maine!
David and his wife Debbie have devoted their lives to saving dogs from euthanasia - giving them a loving home and a bright future. They are both to be commended for their dedication to this cause. Some stories were tearjerkers while others had me laughing out loud. I’m still so impressed that he answered an email I sent him - he cares that his readers care.
I’m a cat person now (no barking, walking or poop scooping) but had two dogs while my kids were growing up - I know the trauma of having to put them down. So sad.😢
Yes, there was a Dan in this book. Dr. Dan Dowling, the vet, is an actual person who also appears as a character in the series!!
Now I have to read Dogtripping - the story of getting those dogs from California to Maine!
July 14, 2016
David Rosenfelt summarizes the "lessons" learned from his first golden retriever Tara. David and his wife run the Tara Rescue Foundation and typically share their home with 25-40 dogs at any given time. Besides the heartwarming chapters on the various dogs, there's quite a bit of comedy too. For example, when David first moved to Maine, he was virtually completely ignorant of deer. At first, he was the laughingstock of the small rural community because he didn't know that it's easy to distinguish a male from a female deer due to the former having antlers. He then asked his wife: "How does a female manage to give birth to a male with antlers? I guess I envision deer doctors yelling Push! Push! To the mother in labor, and that mother screaming, “I can’t! The ($^% antlers hurt too much!”
July 28, 2015
I absolutely love this book. It is partly because I love animals and partly because David Rosenfeld has such a wonderful dry sense of humor. Tara belonged to Debbie, his wife to be, and it was love at first glace; toward Debbie and Tara. Tara only lived for a few years after David and Debbie were married but after a year or so they both felt it as time to get another dog, which they did. The Tara Foundation was started not long after partly because they had promised Tara that they would always help a Golden Retriever in need. Goldens were their favorite but that isn't to say that they only rescued Goldens. They loved big dogs and with only a couple of exceptions, they preferentially rescued big less likely to be adopted dogs, especially old dogs. Dogs that could be easily adopted were boarded at the vets. The others went home with the Rosenfelts. So what, you say. At times they had as many as forty big dogs in their home at a time. They have a house on 3 acres of fairly remote land in Maine. As far from neighbors as possible. It seems that some people get annoyed at the sound of forty dogs barking. The book tells about their life with the dogs and the lessons they learned from the dogs. Some of the things were so familiar to me because I am an animal nut also. Things like figuring out how to get into bed when your wife and multiple big dogs beat you to it. Not easy because you don't want to disrupt any of them. Or having to find a special place for one dog to eat because it won't eat anywhere else. Or going very carefully around the one dog that hates you and will bite you if you get too close for comfort.
This is a book all real dog lovers need to read. I laughed at times and at time there were tears in my eyes, but there is no doubt in my mind that I will read it again.
This book was given to me free of charge from Goodreads First Reads.
This is a book all real dog lovers need to read. I laughed at times and at time there were tears in my eyes, but there is no doubt in my mind that I will read it again.
This book was given to me free of charge from Goodreads First Reads.
July 13, 2015
This book is a dog lover’s dream. In the book, Rosenfelt recounts stories about his dog rescues and about what it is like to live with up to 40 dogs at the same time. The author rescues dogs through his foundation as well as hard to place senior dogs. Mr. Rosenfelt and his wife owe all their wonderful work with dog rescue to their own dog, Tara, who, according to the author, brought Rosenfelt and his wife together, taught him to be a better person, became his best friend and broke his heart in the end, after a short, courageous fight with cancer. This is a book anyone with a kind, gentle heart will find interesting and love dearly, probably reading it again and again. The stories about the dogs they rescue are truly fantastic and heartwarming. Sometimes, placing the dogs is difficult for them, so they end up living with many dogs—and working that out smoothly and nicely. Each dog is unique and provides a little bit more of life and learning to the author and his wife as it will to the reader. This is a definite must-read for any dog lover or anyone who is thinking about or wondering if they should adopt a dog of their own—or for anyone who just enjoys a feel-good story. I have rated it five stars because of all the enjoyment it brought to me. I loved the book and I am sure you will. Even if you are not a dog owner or lover, I highly recommend you read it, for I am pretty sure it will warm your heart as no other has or will. You will long remember this story about a wonderful man who cares so much about dogs. I have not read any of the earlier books about his escapades with Tara, but he has piqued my interest to look for them. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
July 14, 2020
The title is a bit misleading in that David Rosenfelt provides lessons learned from the 25 to 30 dogs he and his wife kept in their homes in California and later in Maine, not just from Tara, the retriever on the cover.
But, the stories are funny, poignant, heartfelt and engaging and Rosenfelt presents them in a series of short columns. Most are funny; his dealings with the tons of dog poop are pretty humorous. There is one, though, in which he had to put down one of his dogs while his wife was traveling. You could hear the hurt in his words in that story.
Also, fans of Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series will enjoy this as he makes several mentions of the writing process. He also provides a look into his background as a public relations person for a movie production company.
And, although he is humble about it, Rosenfelt describes his daily routine of feeding and medicating the dogs, taking them to the vet, dealing with squabbles and just entertaining them. It is a heroic endeavor that many could not do. At times, too, he did it after four back surgeries. It helps that he is wealthy, obviously, from his writing career that can fund his rescue of so many dogs.
If you are a dog fan, or an animal fan in general, this is an excellent read that shows a family's love for their dogs and it shows that each dog counts as an individual, no matter how many he has stuffed in his home.
But, the stories are funny, poignant, heartfelt and engaging and Rosenfelt presents them in a series of short columns. Most are funny; his dealings with the tons of dog poop are pretty humorous. There is one, though, in which he had to put down one of his dogs while his wife was traveling. You could hear the hurt in his words in that story.
Also, fans of Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series will enjoy this as he makes several mentions of the writing process. He also provides a look into his background as a public relations person for a movie production company.
And, although he is humble about it, Rosenfelt describes his daily routine of feeding and medicating the dogs, taking them to the vet, dealing with squabbles and just entertaining them. It is a heroic endeavor that many could not do. At times, too, he did it after four back surgeries. It helps that he is wealthy, obviously, from his writing career that can fund his rescue of so many dogs.
If you are a dog fan, or an animal fan in general, this is an excellent read that shows a family's love for their dogs and it shows that each dog counts as an individual, no matter how many he has stuffed in his home.
January 20, 2020
I loved this book! If you’re a fan of David Rosenfelt, you’ll appreciate this loving tribute to his beloved Golden Retriever, Tara. If you simply love dogs, read this book. If you just want to become a better person—read this book.
July 24, 2015
This is the perfect book. If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, it would be this, no hesitation. If you claim to love dogs but don't love this book, you don't actually love dogs.
July 27, 2015
How could you not LOVE a talented author that also rescues dogs and has 27 of them currently in his home?
May 5, 2016
Thoughtful, funny, at times poignant. I can't decide if this man and his wife are saints or insane.
December 22, 2022
I loved finding out more about Tara, why sing-talking ended, the story behind the covers began to include dogs and how he and his wife survive 30 rescue dogs. David Rosenfelt’s sense of humor, love for dogs and passion for rescuing them made this book a great read for me.
June 19, 2019
I discovered David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series about four years ago. I've read and enjoyed them all ... the first one was published in 2002 and I'm looking forward to #19 coming out next month. Andy is a lawyer who is married to Laurie and they have a young son named Rich. He also has a golden retriever named Tara, who he thinks she's the best dog in the world.. I've also read his Doug Brock series ... the first was published in 2012 and the third/last one was published this past March. Doug is a police officer who was shot in the line of duty and has lost the last ten years of his memory.
I enjoy reading books about animals. I knew that David and his wife, Debbie, were involved with rescue dogs so have been wanting to read this book for a while (I volunteer with a cat rescue). When David and Debbie started dating, she had a golden retriever named Tara who he soon grew to love. Tara passed away and they eventually started getting involved in dog rescue. Their mission was to take, place and/or adopt older dogs that would be euthanized because most people want younger dogs. They started the Tara Foundation, named in honour of Tara. In Tara's memory, they have never not taken in a golden retriever, regardless of how many dogs they had.
According to his website, David and Debbie currently have 27 dogs (they live on a property in Maine so there is lot of room for the dogs). This book is about the rescue process, finding homes for the dogs and what it's like living with that many dogs ... who sleeps where, who is friends with who, the barking, the vet appointments, making the final days of a senior dog's life the best it can be, etc. They have rescued almost 4,000 dogs and found them homes. Their own home has became a sanctuary for those dogs they rescued that are too old or sickly to be wanted by others.
I like the writing style of this book ... like his Andy Carpenter series, it was funny, sarcastic and amusing. It was interesting to read about life as an author, what it's like rescuing dogs and the lessons he has learned along the way. I like that he gave props to everyone who has helped them along the way (vets, rescues, etc.) and named names to acknowledge them. Very cool!
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/06...
I enjoy reading books about animals. I knew that David and his wife, Debbie, were involved with rescue dogs so have been wanting to read this book for a while (I volunteer with a cat rescue). When David and Debbie started dating, she had a golden retriever named Tara who he soon grew to love. Tara passed away and they eventually started getting involved in dog rescue. Their mission was to take, place and/or adopt older dogs that would be euthanized because most people want younger dogs. They started the Tara Foundation, named in honour of Tara. In Tara's memory, they have never not taken in a golden retriever, regardless of how many dogs they had.
According to his website, David and Debbie currently have 27 dogs (they live on a property in Maine so there is lot of room for the dogs). This book is about the rescue process, finding homes for the dogs and what it's like living with that many dogs ... who sleeps where, who is friends with who, the barking, the vet appointments, making the final days of a senior dog's life the best it can be, etc. They have rescued almost 4,000 dogs and found them homes. Their own home has became a sanctuary for those dogs they rescued that are too old or sickly to be wanted by others.
I like the writing style of this book ... like his Andy Carpenter series, it was funny, sarcastic and amusing. It was interesting to read about life as an author, what it's like rescuing dogs and the lessons he has learned along the way. I like that he gave props to everyone who has helped them along the way (vets, rescues, etc.) and named names to acknowledge them. Very cool!
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/06...
October 16, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway as a paperback Advance Copy.
As a caveat, I must admit that I am a dog lover [mostly]. Tara is an easy dog to love, as have been almost all of the dogs with which I have interacted in my family, and in my life. So I was primed for a good read with this book about a beautiful dog, saved from death row, and I certainly got it.
Rosenfelt is an excellent writer. Even though I may not have quite understood all of the 'life's advice' that Tara taught him, each short chapter was interesting, and heartwarming. Sometimes funny and sometimes a little sad...but each made a point as well as told a great story.
I noted that the author had written many other books, including a series of fiction mysteries! So I went to a book store and bought two of them [although the first in the series was not available, I placed an order for it.] And I have already read the first of the two books I bought, which was a delightful murder- is that an oxymoron? Anyway, because of Rosenfelt's writing style, and the characters he invents, the humor in the book keeps the gruesome murders from being quite so gruesome. That is not an easy thing to do, but it is well done by Rosenfelt.
As a caveat, I must admit that I am a dog lover [mostly]. Tara is an easy dog to love, as have been almost all of the dogs with which I have interacted in my family, and in my life. So I was primed for a good read with this book about a beautiful dog, saved from death row, and I certainly got it.
Rosenfelt is an excellent writer. Even though I may not have quite understood all of the 'life's advice' that Tara taught him, each short chapter was interesting, and heartwarming. Sometimes funny and sometimes a little sad...but each made a point as well as told a great story.
I noted that the author had written many other books, including a series of fiction mysteries! So I went to a book store and bought two of them [although the first in the series was not available, I placed an order for it.] And I have already read the first of the two books I bought, which was a delightful murder- is that an oxymoron? Anyway, because of Rosenfelt's writing style, and the characters he invents, the humor in the book keeps the gruesome murders from being quite so gruesome. That is not an easy thing to do, but it is well done by Rosenfelt.
July 2, 2015
A book of humorous essays about Rosenfelt's experiences with dog rescue, and insight into what it's like to live with 40 dogs. He and his wife not only have a rescue foundation, but also take in difficult-to-place senior animals. We can learn a lot from dogs, and I highly recommend this book not just to "dog people," to but anyone who enjoys reading well-written short pieces laced with some self-deprecating humor.
April 30, 2022
Almost everything that David has learned that has made him such an exceptional human being (my assessment, not his), he learned from the dogs he and Debbie, his wife, have rescued. These stories are warm, funny and, in some cases, remarkable. I love his writing and I love his view of dogs. I have done many of the same kinds of rescues with cats, so I know what he feels and how much work he is willing to put in.
June 27, 2016
I will never get enough of his books. I especially enjoyed his non-fiction books because they tell of his love of dogs, especially goldens, and the rescue work he & his wife have done for many years. I absolutely love the Andy Carpenter series but I hope he plans on writing more non-fiction about their rescues.
April 6, 2020
2.5 stars
some humor.
this one didn't have the same cohesive narrative flow as his previous book "Dogtripping".
i found the writer tended to meander a bit much. and there was some repetition of stuff mentioned in the previous books.
but still enjoyable stories about David learning about life thru his experiences w/his dogs.
i'd recommend this to other dog owners and animal lovers.
some humor.
this one didn't have the same cohesive narrative flow as his previous book "Dogtripping".
i found the writer tended to meander a bit much. and there was some repetition of stuff mentioned in the previous books.
but still enjoyable stories about David learning about life thru his experiences w/his dogs.
i'd recommend this to other dog owners and animal lovers.
August 24, 2025
A great story of love and dedication. I'm a dog lover, but I struggle to understand the idea that one person can have 30 to 40 large dogs in the house at one time. I can only imagine that all floors in the house, including the bedroom, are ceramic tiles with a drain in the center for when the rooms need to be hosed down. I had three blondes and a black bitch (three goldens and a black lab) for one month in the winter, and found wiping sixteen paws in the hot tub room was tiring, in addition to picking up their deposits in the snow every day.
I can't handle putting any pet to sleep; eight so far. Rosenfeld does it numerous times a year. I've been dogless for two years, and I am putting off getting another dog because of that. When it happens, it will be another golden. The only thing better than a golden is two or more goldens.
Somehow, Rosenfelt has the financial and mental resources to deal with the expenses and losses. Good man, and a good book.
I can't handle putting any pet to sleep; eight so far. Rosenfeld does it numerous times a year. I've been dogless for two years, and I am putting off getting another dog because of that. When it happens, it will be another golden. The only thing better than a golden is two or more goldens.
Somehow, Rosenfelt has the financial and mental resources to deal with the expenses and losses. Good man, and a good book.
December 11, 2021
David and Debbie Rosenfelt's rescue stories are amazing. They have truly went above and beyond to rescue as many dogs as possible, most of whom senior and infirm. I love to hear how Tara changed David, which led not only to saving so many lives, but also to the fun Andy Carpenter book series. If you're a fan of Andy's, too, you'll find some of his trademark humor in this book as well, which is pretty much his origin story if you will.
November 12, 2025
I love David Rosenfelt. LOVE Tara. It was such a sweet story about dogs and rescues. 5/5 is the only option.
July 14, 2021
Simply a great book, much like all of his that I read.
July 11, 2015
* I received this ebook at no charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
I was first introduced to Tara as Andy Carpenter’s faithful Golden Retriever in Mr. Rosenfelt’s “Andy Carpenter” series. Although she does nothing even remotely un-dog-like in those books she is Andy’s sidekick, matchmaker, confidant and friend. She has Andy well trained, can bend Andy to her will with just a canine look and, will never eat a dog biscuit in his presence. Little did I know when I started reading that series (the first one of his books I picked up had a Golden on the cover – naturally) that Tara was based on a real-life Golden also named Tara and also in possession of all the traits I loved in the books – and more.
Mr. Rosenfelt credits Tara for bringing him together with his wife, for teaching him to be a better person, for being his companion and for breaking his heart. You know – all those things dogs do when we love them. When Tara died, after a short but valiant fight with cancer, the Rosenfelt’s made a couple of posthumous promises to their beloved dog … one, they would never eat hotdogs (her favorite) again and, after they established The Tara Foundation that two, they would never turn away a Golden in need.
The promise about the hotdogs was the more difficult of the two to keep.
David Rosenfelt and his wife, Debbie, have devoted the past few decades to rescuing shelter dogs that might otherwise be impossible to place; mostly elderly dogs and dogs with severe health issues. Since even the Rosenfelts cannot always work magic in placing dogs and because they remember their promise to their beloved Tara often those dogs find their forever home with the Rosenfelts. The actual count of dogs living in their home at any given time can range from 20 to 40 … so, after shoveling the poop out of the backyard with a snow shovel, schlepping in 250-pound bags of kibble and cleaning the dog hair out of the printer Mr. Rosenfelt found time to sit down and write about what he learned from all the dogs that lived and were loved in their home.
Having enjoyed the tale of their cross-country journey, from California to Maine, with 25 dogs, 3 RV’s and a group of volunteers in “Dogtripping” I was looking forward to reading this book. It was a quick read (two evenings and a few cups of coffee) because the book is written in a very casual style … simply reminiscences of all the dogs he’s loved before and what each of them (including Tara) taught him. This book made me laugh, made me cry, sometimes made me angry and, often, made me shake my head in wonder. Mr. Rosenfelt writes this book with the wit and humor I have come to expect, his (usually self deprecating) sarcasm, with honesty and with lots and lots of love.
This is a definite must read for dog lovers as well as for Mr. Rosenfelt’s fans, but maybe more importantly it should be read by anyone looking to adopt a dog – it may make you think twice about wanting a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog.
Without any further explanation or apologies I am giving this book 5 stars because it made me feel good and I loved it! And, because I think Mr. Rosenfelt deserves it for uncomplainingly (mostly) putting up with all that dog hair.
I was first introduced to Tara as Andy Carpenter’s faithful Golden Retriever in Mr. Rosenfelt’s “Andy Carpenter” series. Although she does nothing even remotely un-dog-like in those books she is Andy’s sidekick, matchmaker, confidant and friend. She has Andy well trained, can bend Andy to her will with just a canine look and, will never eat a dog biscuit in his presence. Little did I know when I started reading that series (the first one of his books I picked up had a Golden on the cover – naturally) that Tara was based on a real-life Golden also named Tara and also in possession of all the traits I loved in the books – and more.
Mr. Rosenfelt credits Tara for bringing him together with his wife, for teaching him to be a better person, for being his companion and for breaking his heart. You know – all those things dogs do when we love them. When Tara died, after a short but valiant fight with cancer, the Rosenfelt’s made a couple of posthumous promises to their beloved dog … one, they would never eat hotdogs (her favorite) again and, after they established The Tara Foundation that two, they would never turn away a Golden in need.
The promise about the hotdogs was the more difficult of the two to keep.
David Rosenfelt and his wife, Debbie, have devoted the past few decades to rescuing shelter dogs that might otherwise be impossible to place; mostly elderly dogs and dogs with severe health issues. Since even the Rosenfelts cannot always work magic in placing dogs and because they remember their promise to their beloved Tara often those dogs find their forever home with the Rosenfelts. The actual count of dogs living in their home at any given time can range from 20 to 40 … so, after shoveling the poop out of the backyard with a snow shovel, schlepping in 250-pound bags of kibble and cleaning the dog hair out of the printer Mr. Rosenfelt found time to sit down and write about what he learned from all the dogs that lived and were loved in their home.
Having enjoyed the tale of their cross-country journey, from California to Maine, with 25 dogs, 3 RV’s and a group of volunteers in “Dogtripping” I was looking forward to reading this book. It was a quick read (two evenings and a few cups of coffee) because the book is written in a very casual style … simply reminiscences of all the dogs he’s loved before and what each of them (including Tara) taught him. This book made me laugh, made me cry, sometimes made me angry and, often, made me shake my head in wonder. Mr. Rosenfelt writes this book with the wit and humor I have come to expect, his (usually self deprecating) sarcasm, with honesty and with lots and lots of love.
This is a definite must read for dog lovers as well as for Mr. Rosenfelt’s fans, but maybe more importantly it should be read by anyone looking to adopt a dog – it may make you think twice about wanting a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog.
Without any further explanation or apologies I am giving this book 5 stars because it made me feel good and I loved it! And, because I think Mr. Rosenfelt deserves it for uncomplainingly (mostly) putting up with all that dog hair.
August 10, 2015
In the early nineties, David Rosenfelt met Debbie Myers, and her golden retriever, Tara. He didn't know it, but the course of his life was set. Marriage. Dogs. Dog rescue. Eventually, a series of mystery novels in which the protagonist is also a dog rescuer.
This book is a collection of essays about the things he learned, from Tara, that first dog, and from all the others after, living with anywhere from twenty to forty dogs once they were fully involved in rescue.
They didn't plunge into rescue immediately. At first they lived happily with their one, beloved dog. Then Tara, like too many Goldens, developed cancer. After months of treatment, they had to admit defeat and have her euthanized.
For months they were dogless, not ready for another dog. Then, wanting dogs in their lives, but not ready to adopt, they started volunteering at a local shelter--and they discovered how desperate the need for rescue is. It took a while, but the Tara Foundation was born.
Each essay is themed around a particular life lesson--dignity, overcoming fears, empathy--or some particular challenge of pet rescue. But what they're all really about is Rosenfelt's relationship with all the dogs that have come into his life, whether to stay, or just passing through on their way to forever homes. He does briefly cover their move, with more than twenty dogs, from California to Maine, but that experience is discussed more fully in Dogtripping. The primary focus here is their life in Maine, with some sections also discussing their life in California, and the emotional rewards and practical challenges of living with many, mostly senior, mostly very large, dogs. There are successful adoptions, and dogs rescued from terrible shelter conditions too late to save. There are dogs who seem unsaveable, who thrive in the right conditions.
This isn't a book to read if you can't stand books where the dog dies, because many of these dogs are old when they come into the Rosenfelts' lives. There are triumphant stories, too, though, and no graphic descriptions of cruelty.
All in all, I found it an enjoyable, satisfying book, that expresses very well what brings people into pet rescue, and what keeps us involved.
Recommended.
This book is a collection of essays about the things he learned, from Tara, that first dog, and from all the others after, living with anywhere from twenty to forty dogs once they were fully involved in rescue.
They didn't plunge into rescue immediately. At first they lived happily with their one, beloved dog. Then Tara, like too many Goldens, developed cancer. After months of treatment, they had to admit defeat and have her euthanized.
For months they were dogless, not ready for another dog. Then, wanting dogs in their lives, but not ready to adopt, they started volunteering at a local shelter--and they discovered how desperate the need for rescue is. It took a while, but the Tara Foundation was born.
Each essay is themed around a particular life lesson--dignity, overcoming fears, empathy--or some particular challenge of pet rescue. But what they're all really about is Rosenfelt's relationship with all the dogs that have come into his life, whether to stay, or just passing through on their way to forever homes. He does briefly cover their move, with more than twenty dogs, from California to Maine, but that experience is discussed more fully in Dogtripping. The primary focus here is their life in Maine, with some sections also discussing their life in California, and the emotional rewards and practical challenges of living with many, mostly senior, mostly very large, dogs. There are successful adoptions, and dogs rescued from terrible shelter conditions too late to save. There are dogs who seem unsaveable, who thrive in the right conditions.
This isn't a book to read if you can't stand books where the dog dies, because many of these dogs are old when they come into the Rosenfelts' lives. There are triumphant stories, too, though, and no graphic descriptions of cruelty.
All in all, I found it an enjoyable, satisfying book, that expresses very well what brings people into pet rescue, and what keeps us involved.
Recommended.
October 12, 2019
Lessons from Tara gave me my dog fix here in Chicagoland (which is full of dogs, but we're not getting one if we move due to the "character" dogs can give a house). How do David Rosenfelt and his wife cope with that many dogs in their house? According to his website, they now have 27 dogs in their house, and they tend to rescue older dogs.
Back to the question: well, with a sense of humor and compassion, as they seek out dogs that may only have a year or two of life left in them, often from dog shelters with appalling conditions. Golden Retrievers are the rescue breed of preference.
One of the most humorous stories is how when a delivery man comes, the dogs seem to have assigned spots that they don't veer from as they run (or hobble) into various positions in the house.
I'm heading on to "Dogtripping," where he transported a set of dogs cross country in a move. In the meantime, pick up this book for many, many laughs.
Back to the question: well, with a sense of humor and compassion, as they seek out dogs that may only have a year or two of life left in them, often from dog shelters with appalling conditions. Golden Retrievers are the rescue breed of preference.
One of the most humorous stories is how when a delivery man comes, the dogs seem to have assigned spots that they don't veer from as they run (or hobble) into various positions in the house.
I'm heading on to "Dogtripping," where he transported a set of dogs cross country in a move. In the meantime, pick up this book for many, many laughs.
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