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Product Description: 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.
Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-03
Best dog story ever
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. Rating:
Date: 2008-07-02
Freethinking---not ONLY good for man.
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. Rating:
Date: 2008-07-01
Into the wild with Merle.
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! Rating:
Date: 2008-06-29
Best dog book ever written! EVER!!!
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." Rating:
Date: 2008-06-28
Merle Won Me Over
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. |
