Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7309 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Humorous, jubilant and touching by turns, this story of the relationship between man and dog is informed by the author's grasp of animal research and his attachment to Merle, a stray dog he adopted. A Labrador mix, Merle first appeared while the author was on a camping trip. Kerasote (Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age), an award-winning nature writer, decided to take his canine friend home to rural Wyoming. This chronicle of their 13 years together is interspersed with studies by animal behaviorists that strengthened Kerasote's desire to see Merle as a responsible individual rather than a submissive pet. Merle set his own eating schedule (though not without early mishap), refused to hunt birds (although not elks) and, according to the author, possessed a range of emotions and sentiments similar to those of humans. Kerasote tends to anthropomorphize Merle's every look and movement, but this narrative is entertaining and Kerasote's strong love for Merle and enthusiasm for life in the wild will win over many readers. Kerasote's joyous relationship with Merle is balanced by a bittersweet account of a close relationship the author had with Alison, a neighbor and fellow dog owner. Kerasote's last weeks with the dying Merle are beautifully rendered. (July)
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

Must read
Excellently written book! And this one's not just for dog lovers but for anyone that is looking for a better understanding.... I will read this over and over again.

Thanks Merle
I have so far read this book twice and unlike several reviewers I am not in the least bothered by style or content or flow or hidden angst (dirty old man indeed).

The fact of the matter is that Mr. Kersotes wrote a book about his best friend. He did it how he did it and to me it was great. The elements of a life lived aren't about linear flow, they have twists & turns and digressions. This book does too and given the subject matter I'd be kind of disappointed if it didn't.

The book was about the both of them, how they interacted and lived the expanse of a lifetime. The choices throughout the book were made by someone who loved his dog greatly and with the best intent weighed by his experiences and lifestyle. I can't and won't judge those decisions, I'm just glad he took the time to share such an adventure with the rest of us.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who has ever loved their dog through thick and thin. It will touch you in places that may still hurt and will remind you of what it means to be family with your pup.

Lastly, my dog Sam loves Big Bug Shuffle too (look up Merles dance music and you'll know what I mean)

Merle's Door
I found this book to be information packed yet very readable and sometimes hard to put down. I would recommend it to anyone who owns a dog! Very good Read...
Denise Neilson