Go Find

By: Susan Purvis

Narrated by: Susan Purvis

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Somewhere between hunting for gold in Latin America as a geologist and getting married to a new husband, 33-year-old Susan Purvis loses her way.

Susan comes to believe that a puppy and working on ski patrol at the last great ski town in Colorado will improve her life. When she learns about avalanches that bury people without warning, she challenges herself: "What if I teach a dog to save lives?" This quest propels her to train the best possible search dog, vowing to never leave anyone behind.

With no clue how to care for a houseplant, let alone a dog, she chooses a five-week-old Labrador retriever, Tasha. With the face of a baby bear and the temperament of an NFL linebacker, Tasha constantly tests Susan's determination to transform her into a rescue dog. Susan and Tasha jockey for alpha position as they pursue certification in avalanche, water, and wilderness recovery. Susan eventually learns to truly communicate with Tasha by seeing the world through her dog's nose.

As the first female team in a male-dominated search-and-rescue community, they face resistance at every turn. They won't get paid even a bag of kibble for their efforts, yet they launch dozens of missions to rescue the missing or recover the remains of victims of nature and crime.

Training with Tasha in the field to find, recover, and rescue the lost became Susan's passion. But it was also her circumstance - she was in many ways as lost as anyone she ever pulled out of an avalanche or found huddled in the woods. "Lostness" doesn't only apply to losing the trail. People can get lost in a relationship, a business, or a life. Susan was convinced that only happened to other people, until Tasha and a life in the mountains taught her otherwise.

An Outside Bozeman magazine pick.

©2018 Susan Purvis (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Dog is great; handler not so much

This book was fascinating, but not for the reasons I would have anticipated. Listening to the remembrances of someone who demonstrates such a low EQ and lack of self-awareness is interesting. Time after time she seems puzzled by her own search and rescue team's contempt for her as if never once realizing that they just plain can't stand her. I found myself siding with Doug in my frustration at her refusal to properly obedience train her dog or even keep her safe by leashing her when appropriate. I realize she is admitting her mistakes in retrospect, but as someone who works in dog rescue and deals with the consequences of this uneducated approach to dog handling, it was a little infuriating to read. She did Tasha a disservice over and over again and failed to listen to the people who were trying to teach her how to do better. She also trashes a lot of people in this book, some for behavior that she herself admits to engaging in as well (e.g., conducting searches for which they were not certified). The narration by the author is not great, with an awkward cadence and misplaced pauses. Tasha, of course, is a rock star, so it's still a worthwhile listen for dog lovers and anyone interested in SAR.

First I read it, then bought it on audible.

If you know a first responder, give them this book and read it yourself. I wanted to hear the book again in the authors own voice. Loved it.

It's been a long time since I found a book that I could not put down and also learned something from. This brave woman carried me on her journey in life where she made a difference and found her purpose. I laughed, cried and looked at what is important in my own life. Go Find reminded me that life is no life without community and love.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves people, dogs, snowmobiles, travel, skiing, adventure, or exploring.

Hard to listen to

As a vet tech, rescuer and foster I found it hard to listen to. From the first she knew nothing about having a puppy or bothered to research and continued to not listen to others who did. Her “determination” was more like I will control and conquer this dog my way. She came off very self absorbed and stubborn. Sorry, I did not enjoy this book, there is more “behind the scenes” than was told. Glad Tasha succeeded in spite of Susan.

I loved loved loved the book!

I loved loved loved the book! I’m a dog owner and lover. What courage and connection these two have.

Annoying narration

The story is interesting but the author for some reason decided to narrate and her tongue seems to twist around words in a bumbling way which I found incredibly annoying.

Whiny

I love reading about working dogs but the author self pitying and whines about how unfair life is. Very disappointed!

Adventure, Drama, Suspense - Simply Outstanding

Susan's journey with her SAR dog Tasha is absolutely captivating. As an outdoor professional and former ski patroller, I found myself drawn into the details of their adventures and challenges as if I were back in the snow. I especially appreciated the moments when I joined in celebration on a find or shed a tear (well, more than one) during loss. Susan's skillful writing is exceeded by her incredible ability to read the story and create an extra level of authenticity. I am humbled to know there are people like Susan out there doing hero's work with their superhero K9 partners. THANK U Susan! And THANK U Tasha!

Go Find

Beautiful book! Wonderful story! Very moving & very satisfing! She had a very special relationship with her dog! Her husband & her not so much! Tasha & her had a lot to give & share with the world!Thank you for sharing.

I thought the stories of Tasha were great.

I can appreciate the struggles Susan went through to achieve her goal plus the honesty of her thoughts and reactions. But, over and over she came across very self centered, not too bright in the beginning, and a little whiney. I am glad she had so many people that did believe in her cause, which really did turn out to be that she wanted to help people. These were the people that helped her. She was able to understand her dog because she took the time and made the effort to learn how. Unfortunately, people don't realize the same effort has to happen if you want a good marriage. It's sad she never realized all the efforts her husband made to try reaching her until it was too late. I really loved her dog and because of that and her honesty, the book was good. She did a really good job reading. Yes I'll recommend this book.

Well-written

I enjoyed and learned about amazing characteristics of search dogs. This team's journey together was nothing short of miraculous, and Sue shines light on the difficult questions we avoid in our relationships.

Such a special story

An amazing range of emotions, life lessons, love and selflessness....and my tears will flow long after these words...xo