Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog

published	July 2nd 2007 by Harcourt
binding	Hardcover
isbn	0151012709 (isbn13: 9780151012701)
pages	416
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, ...more [close] 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. [close]
date added	03-23-07 edit book

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Pam rated it:

03/13/08

Read in March, 2008

Somewhat pressured by the fact that Ted Kerasote was visiting our library in two days, and I had the only copy of his book in our inventory, I began this book. Frankly, I wasn't quite sure if this was even a book I would normally read if the intrigue of the author visiting as well as its good reviews weren't factors to persuade me.
Unfortunately, I was only to about page 40 when I attended the author's presentation. My initial thoughts were that the author's writing was praiseworthy f...more Somewhat pressured by the fact that Ted Kerasote was visiting our library in two days, and I had the only copy of his book in our inventory, I began this book. Frankly, I wasn't quite sure if this was even a book I would normally read if the intrigue of the author visiting as well as its good reviews weren't factors to persuade me.
Unfortunately, I was only to about page 40 when I attended the author's presentation. My initial thoughts were that the author's writing was praiseworthy for its intelligence, and research, yet I wasn't hooked by the story and therefore felt that it might be a slow read. However, I was wrong.
Kerasote's passionate reading of sections of his book gave me a renewed outlook on the story. He also showed us a slideshow of Merle and his life that perhaps made the story more real to me and egged me on. Regardless of my busy schedule, I finished the book in less than a week.
I was absolutely amazed by the intelligence and heart of Ted's dog Merle, as well as Ted himself. I really felt that I was given a great glimpse of the great life Merle had through "his door." Ted gave to the life of Merle what not many people dare to in a marriage "in sickness and in health," let alone to a dog as a pet. However, Merle gave back equally in teaching an appreciation for and a understanding of nature and the simple things in life. Merle also gave back, as many dogs do, with unconditional love.
Among many of the ideas Kerasote points out that we can learn from Merle, I liked the point that dog's don't hang on to their emotions: " He was one of the best examples of how to deal with disappointment and ride through anger, for it was apparent that he had no interest in his emotions becoming him. He clung to them for an instant, the way our mountains clung to their weather, then let them roll over him and fade away."
By the end of the book, I was in love with Merle. Yet I found myself less inclined to have a dog myself, because I could see that I never could provide the great life that Merle and every dog deserve. He had acres of open space to travel in at all times unleashed and autonomous. He was able to make many of his own decisions and therefore not become a robot-like dog controlled only by behaviors taught by people. Yet, he was able to have the health and love care provided by Ted's flexible schedule and financial wealth. However, it is nice to know there are people out there like Ted who can provide this for a dog. It is great to experience this relationship vicariously through Merle's door in Ted's wonderful book.
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Chris rated it:

(review of isbn 0156034506)

07/13/08

bookshelves: fauna, favorites, kirkus-ok-d, text-checked

Read in July, 2008

<b>MARVELOUS!</> I give this book 5 stars without a second thought! You cry, you chuckle, you laugh out loud, you read again sections of other dog books mentioned in the text that one has^previously read, you search Wikipedia concerning subjects that the text brings to your attention and about which you realize you really have to know more. This book has everything for anyone that truly loves their dog.

OK I have to say one thing and I would really like to discuss this with others...more <b>MARVELOUS!</> I give this book 5 stars without a second thought! You cry, you chuckle, you laugh out loud, you read again sections of other dog books mentioned in the text that one has^previously read, you search Wikipedia concerning subjects that the text brings to your attention and about which you realize you really have to know more. This book has everything for anyone that truly loves their dog.

OK I have to say one thing and I would really like to discuss this with others...... I don't like how the book ends, in that I really don't agree with how the author deals with the final stage of a dog's life. Quite simply I think he dog suffered too much at the end of his life. The the author should have euthanized the dog. On the other hand, I was not there. I did not see Merle. Ted thinks Merle remained happy. OK, if he was really sure then I agree with his actions. BUT this was a thinking dog. He was intelligent and he had emotions. One must also consider the dog's emotions. How did Merle react emotionally to having to go through what he went through. The degradation of soiling one's self. I do believe that Merle could understand that he could no longer do what he enjoyed doing best in life, that he would have to accept doing a bit less for the sake of being with Ted who he loved. Just maybe the suffering went on too long. Again, I wasn't there so maybe I am completely off mark. Ted was a marvelous dog owner and I in no way critize him.

I have an old dog. A curly coated retriever of 12.5 years. He too has arthritis. He takes the same medications and he loves his massages. I do not do acupuncture. My dog has not been able to have the independence that Merle has had, but he is dam, dam smart, and my husband and I love him so very, very much. He can no longer do everything whith me any more. He doesn't like being left at home so I change my life, as much as I possibly can to accomadate his needs. And who want to play God - I certainly don't. I don't want to end his life. I will continue to help him as long as I can. He will stay with us as long as I believe he can enjoy life. ...less

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