Product Description

A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable animal, Merle's Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine. Author Ted Kerasote presents the latest research into animal behavior as well as the origins and evolution of human-dog interaction. Kerasote's adopted Labrador mix, Merle, showed the author how dogs might live were they free; the author suggests how they should be allowed to live and the doors that should always remain open to them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #744123 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-01
• Formats: Audiobook, CD
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: MP3 CD

From Publishers Weekly
Kerasote, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, draws on inspirational experiences with his beloved canine companion, Merle, and extensive research in animal behavior to advance the notion that living in harmony with our dogs requires us to embrace—rather than suppress—their natural instincts. Patrick Lawlor delivers an animated performance, both literally and figuratively. His renderings of Merle's incessant pants of enthusiasm evoke the essence of canine loyalty. Lawlor successfully navigates the potentially tricky terrain of the book's anthropomorphism. He gives voice to Kerasote's human interpretations of Merle's expressions and behaviors in a manner that manages to preserve a healthy measure of mystery and wonder. Lawlor does slightly over-reach with regard to his performance of relatively extraneous human dialogue, especially some of the ethnic accents of experts that Kerasote quotes in the text. While not all pet owners may be able to grant the degree of freedom that Kerasote afforded Merle, this heartwarming story will still manage to enlighten and entertain fans of four-legged memoirs.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
When an abandoned dog tags along with Ted Kerasote on a rafting trip, its the start of a long life-changing experience, with a learning process that goes both ways. Patrick Lawlor seamlessly portrays Kerasote, who shares personal anecdotes about his dog, Merle, and ruminates on the history of the relationship between dogs and humans. Lawlor puts plenty of laugh-out-loud moments into the anecdotes and keeps the history lively, too. He even comes up with a good voice for Merle in Kerasotes conversations with the dog. By the time listeners get to Merles later years, they will share the bond Kerasote has with him. J.A.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Merle showed up at the San Juan River at the same time Kerasote and his river-rafting friends arrived. Merle looked at Kerasote as if to say, "You need a dog, and I'm it." He accompanied the group down the river and then went home to Wyoming with Kerasote. A dog who was eager to please and almost trained himself, Merle learned the ways of bison, ground squirrels, and coyotes. Merle then taught Kerasote the fullness of the hunt, leading Kerasote to his favorite prey. But, after Kerasote installed a dog door, the main thing Merle taught him is that a dog develops to his full potential, becoming the dog he was meant to be, when allowed to make his own decisions. Merle developed a life of his own, patrolling the small settlement where they lived with his dog companions, and yet was always very aware of Kerasote and his schedule. 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. Bent, Nancy

Customer Reviews

Awesome book
It has been a week since I have finished this book and I can't stop thinking about it. I don't live in the country or live off the land like the author but I could still relate to everything. I love the fact that he made his own assumptions and opinions and never pushed it on the reader.

For those of the readers who were disgusted by the owners behavior with Merle, I laugh. He let this dog be exactly who he was. He gave him direction and corrected his behavior when he felt absolutely necessary. Let's face it, dogs weren't meant to be couped up all day in a house or apartment. I would definitly give my dog the opportunity to roam free if I could.

His love of his dog made me feel that the feelings I have or had for dogs weren't silly. He believed dogs had true emotions and feeling no matter what has been said. A truly magical book that took me on a journey that I will never forget.

If you are a dog lover than this is a must!

Best , Most descriptive book I have ever read.
This is most definitely a 5 Star book & also a 5 Kleenex read. The writer is a real human being & definitely a real dog too. His descriptions made it seem like I was right there every step of the way . What a beautiful story and a beautiful tribute to Man and his Dog. Even , what normally would be very dry commentary on the history of dogs, was most interesting to read. He made the technical information very easy to understand and has the talent to make it part of the story. I learned so much about dogs and even more about humans . What a wonderful read. Don't miss it even if you aren't a dog lover. It touched my heart and my emotions like no other non-fiction book every has .

dog stories
I just read this book last week, and I couldn't put it down. Just as good as Amazing Gracie and Marley and Me. Well written and very insightful. Entertaining stories and interesting scientific research on the development of dogs from wolves. I picked up some good information on handling my own dogs. I'll be reading this again.