Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog - Hardcover

Kerasote, Ted

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0151012709 ISBN 13: 9780151012701

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007

Synopsis

While on a camping trip, Ted Kerasote met a dog—a Labrador mix—who was living on his own in the wild. They became attached to each other, and Kerasote decided to name the dog Merle and bring him home. There, he realized that Merle’s native intelligence would be diminished by living exclusively in the human world. He put a dog door in his house so Merle could live both outside and in.

A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable dog and his relationship with the author, Merle’s Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine, bringing to bear the latest research into animal consciousness and behavior as well as insights into the origins and evolution of the human-dog partnership. Merle showed Kerasote how dogs might live if they were allowed to make more of their own decisions, and Kerasote suggests how these lessons can be applied universally.

About this title

Review

"A thoughtful look at animal intelligence and the human-dog connection."

"[T]his summer's "Marley"? In his memoir cum training manual, Kerasote waxes poetic about his mutt Merle and provides tips for deepening the dog/human bond."

"Kerasote gives readers much to consider that will enrich their own relationships with their pets. His book is highly recommended, but it does come with a tissue alert."

"Merle's Door is a window into the mind of a dog.  You will experience his loyalty, fears, and joys and his true inner self. Everybody who loves dogs must read this book."

"In telling Merle's story, Kerasote also explores the science behind canine behavior and evolution, weaving in research on the human-canine bond and musing on the way dogs see the world. Merle is a true character, yet Merle is also Everydog. An absolute treasure of a book."

"It is no exaggeration to say that "Merle's Door" could be the best book ever written about a dog or dogs--one dog in particular, the magnificent Merle of the title, but also about dogs in general.... It is beautifully written, a real page turner, often funny, always fascinating, and very moving. It's a book you will never forget."

"Reading "Merle's Door" involves more than just sailing through an engaging biography of a man sharing his life with a rare and free-spirited dog since it contains islands of useful and scientifically sound information about dog behavior as well. To be entertained and educated at the same time time is rare in dog books, which makes this one definitely worth reading."

"This exquisitely written book is sure to be controversial, but it raises important questions that every thoughtful dog owner should consider."

"Humorous, jubilant and touching by turns... Kerasote''s strong love for Merle and enthusiasm for life in the wild will win over many readers."

"[T]his summer''s "Marley"? In his memoir cum training manual, Kerasote waxes poetic about his mutt Merle and provides tips for deepening the dog/human bond."

From the Back Cover

"Anyone who ever loved a dog will find something to enjoy in Merle's Door."--The Christian Science Monitor

Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert Merle living wild and Ted looking for a pup to shape into a companion. But the training went both ways. Ted taught Merle how to live around wildlife and Merle taught Ted that a dog grows more intelligent whenallowed to makehis own decisions.Their journey is part buddy adventure, part love story, and part insightful explanation of how sharing leadership with your dog will make him a better best friend.

"Merle s Door is a window into the mind of a dog. You will experience his loyalty, fears, and joys and his true inner self. Everybody who loves dogs must read this book." Temple Grandin, author of Animals In Translation

"Merle's Dooris a compelling, insightful and tender story that opens new doors into the understanding of the nature of dogs."--Bark Magazine

TED KERASOTE s writing has appeared in more than fifty periodicals, including Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Field & Stream, Salon, and the New York Times. His most recent book, Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age, won the National Outdoor Book Award. He lives in Wyoming.

Visit www.MerlesDoor.com.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0151012709
• ISBN 13: 9780151012701
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 398