Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog | 
 enlarge | Author: Ted Kerasote
Publisher: Harvest Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $6.28
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Avg. Customer Rating:  146 reviews
Sales Rank: 1316
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 0156034506
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.7092
EAN: 9780156034500
ASIN: 0156034506
Publication Date: April 21, 2008
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Product Description
Now including a wonderful new photo insert chronicling Merle’s life, this national bestseller explores the relationship between humans and dogs. How would dogs live if they were free? Would they stay with their human friends?
Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert— Merle was living wild and Ted was looking for a pup to keep him company. As their bond grew, Ted taught Merle how to live around wildlife, and Merle taught Ted about the benefits of letting a dog make his own decisions.
Using the latest in wolf research and exploring issues of animal consciousness and leadership and the origins of the human-dog relationship, Ted Kerasote takes us on the journey he and Merle shared. As much a love story as a story of independence and partnership, Merle’s Door is tender, funny, and ultimately illuminating.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 141 more reviews...
Best dog story ever July 3, 2008
Merle's Door has to be one of the best, if not the best, dog story I've ever read-and I've read most of them. Merle and Ted have many lessons to teach us regarding our relationships with man's best friend. This book is humorous, informational and touching. I can't recommend it enough.
Freethinking---not ONLY good for man. July 2, 2008
It's been quite some time, since I had my last dog that had the luxury of having lots of space to roam. Now, in cramped quarters with my current fur friend, I can definitely see Ted's POV regarding differences in behavior, with the confined dog. As I moved through Merle's story, and reflected on some of my old friends, now waiting at The Bridge, I began to have my own epiphany of just how much the sequestered, crated life affects the bon-jovi and, most likely, the intellectual development of our canine friends. The scientific data helped me realize that, no---my recollections are not anthropomorphism, of which I've frequently been accused. There is a mind connection, on many levels, that can be significantly thwarted, by the environment.
Merle's story reminded me of what has been and what could be. Unfortunately, most can't live in a small town, wilderness environment. But it does remind us to try to find places where our friends can run safely, enjoy lots of socialization and to nurture their freethinking and problem-solving. It can be done on a smaller scale. After all, if freethinking is a right that people fight for...shouldn't we fight for it for our best fur friends.
You will love Ted and Merle's story of friendship and the depths of their bond. Their experiences are heartwarming, often humorous and inspiring. As I was reading the last 20 pages, or so, I had to put the book down and take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Then I had to go wake my Shepherd to give him a big hug. He greeted me much like Merle would have, with an incredulous sigh like---can't you see I'm sleepin' here! I left him to his doggie dreams, finished Merle's story and sobbed. So take warning, it is a several tissue read, but the beauty of it all makes it worth the tears.
Into the wild with Merle. July 1, 2008
What a book!Just read the final chapter about this beautiful and "free thinking dog".The story is both hillarious and sad.It reads like a love story.And so funny as to what Merle is "thinking" and how Ted is describing Merle's facial expressions..one eyebrow up,one eybrow down...
It really takes you "into the wild",the beauty of nature,and both Ted's and Merle's love of the outdoors.I am not a dog owner,but totally fell in love with Merle!The ending was hard to read...had to put the book down
several times..but it is such a beautiful and tender book ,about a man and his dog.A great read!
Best dog book ever written! EVER!!! June 29, 2008
I felt as if I knew and lived with Merle for his whole life. Ted is one of the best. most intimate writers I have ever come across. I could think of nothing but this book for two weeks. It is that good. Do yourself a favor, and meet Ted and his dog Merle in "Merle's Door."
Merle Won Me Over June 28, 2008
Being neither a hunter or a pet owner that would be comfortable letting my dog or cat go through the "Door", I read this book with a certain amount of trepidation. That being said, you have to love Ted and Merle, because I know that I love my dog with all my heart, but Ted's love for Merle is beyond anything I have ever experienced. Ted has a huge heart, and it took a huge sweetheart like Merle to fill it, but he did. If you love dogs, buy this book and hang in there through the health issues of both Brower and Merle as the book comes to its end, you won't be sorry.
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