Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163080 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Customer Reviews

the real thing
Strangely enough this book has lots of 5-star comments on the american site of amazon, but no comment yet on the Briish site. I found it a wonderful book. The deep friendship between the author and his intelligent dog Merle was not only revealing about dogs in the (more or less) wild, about their behaviour and thoughts It is a beautiful and moving description of Ted Kerote's relationship to a dog he found in the wild and with whom he lived to the last moment of Merle's life. It is fun to read, informative in many senses, and it changes your outlook on the dog-human relationship. I love the respect and the understanding between those two, that Kerote knows perfectly how to convey. You will love it and so will young people and everybody who loves dogs or wants to get to know them. I wish there had been more pictures though. I would want one for myself!

Best dog tale ever
I've read a few "dog" books over the years, probably most of them in fact. Merle's door is the best of them all. Following Ted's relationship with Merle, from their first meeting in the backcountry when Merle was looking for a human and Ted a companion, the book charts the highs and lows of their relationship, and the profound effect that they have on one another. It looks in more detail at some of those areas that all dog owners have to consider at one time or another, and the approach that Ted and Merle took. It is meticulously researched, by turn funny, harrowingly sad, full of insight and worth everyone of the five stars in this review.

A free thinking look at dogs
I bought this book in the States where it has certainly been a big success. Unlike the often sugary Marley and Me this is a book for those who are willing to question the 'received' wisdom around dogs and the relationship with humans. It debunks a lot of the 'you must do it this way or else' methods of dog training and adds to where dogs came from and why. Ted Kerasote writes in an easy style yet imparts some thought provoking observations and researched facts. I read it feeling relieved to find there was at least one other person in the world who had a truely open mind about dogs (and Cats). If you have read other dog books this will be a new experience for you. If you haven't read a dog related book you will find this delivers more than you might expect. Read this and prepare to enjoy you dog more! If you want to learn more try Ted Kerasote's web site.