Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a dog lover or outdoors enthusiast, you'll be hooked by this heartfelt story of friendship and freedom between Ted and his remarkable dog, Merle. The book beautifully captures the spirit of a life shared with a canine companion allowed to roam, make independent choices, and return home out of love and not obligation. It's packed with insight on the human-animal bond, plus fascinating dives into canine psychology and evolution. Anyone who has ever wondered what their dog is thinking, or who enjoys memoirs about life lived a bit off the beaten path, will find plenty to love here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're not into lengthy discussions of dog training philosophies or scientific research woven into personal stories, this might not be your cup of tea. Some readers found the book preachy or hard to relate to, especially if they live in urban or suburban environments where letting a dog roam free is impossible or unsafe. The book's pace can drag at times with tangents and heavy information that sidestep Merle and Ted's direct adventures. Also: get ready for an emotional read - it's not all sunshine and wagging tails.
About:
'Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog' by Ted Kerasote is a heartwarming story about the unique bond between a man named Ted and his dog, Merle. The book chronicles their adventures together, from the moment Merle finds Ted on a river trip to the sad ending when Merle passes away at the age of 14. Throughout the narrative, Ted interjects insights into dog behavior and psychology, sharing lessons learned from Merle and shedding light on the ways in which dogs can enrich our lives. The writing style is described as easy to read, engaging, and filled with emotional and touching moments that resonate with dog lovers and those who appreciate the deep connection between humans and animals.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes around loss, grief, and the eventual death of a beloved pet, which is quite emotional and can be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD
A moving, insightful love story about the vast possiblities of the relationship between humans and dogs.
While on a camping trip, Ted Kerasote meets a Labrador mix living on his own in the wild. They become attached to each other, and Kerasote decides to bring the dog, who he names Merle, home. There, after realizing that Merle's native intelligence would be diminished by living exclusively in the human world, he installs a dog door in his house, allowing Merle to live both outside and in.
Merle shows 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, 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. 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.
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What can you read after
Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog?
About the Author:
TED KERASOTE is the author of several books, including the national bestseller Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog and Out There, which won the National Outdoor Book Award. His essays and photographs have appeared in Audubon, Geo, Outside, Science, the New York Times, and more than sixty other periodicals. He lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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