Ted Kerasote had a dog and his name was Merle. And he wrote a book about that dog. Not just about that particular dog, but other dogs, wolves, elk, and the people he lives with in Wyoming. And this book made me cry, oh yes it did.
Kerasote gives mostly chronological anecdotes of Merle’s life, interspersed with bits about what is actually good for dogs. Training wise, that is. He talks about the intelligence and personality Merle develops being allowed lots of free-roaming time. The door in the title is an actual doggie door with which Merle receives something few dogs get – total freedom.
Merle and Kerasote do not share the popularized “Alpha -Beta” relationship – which has been found to be seriously missing crucial portions. Instead, they share the leadership role. Kerasote respects Merle as he would a human. The way Merle acts, it’s hard not to acknowledge that dogs certainly can be considered people.
What an excellent read. I have not cried due to a book since “Where the Red Fern Grows” in fourth grade. Fittingly, also a book about people-like dogs. Dogs are great people. I love my dogs.
I bought this book instead of borrowing. Sam actually used part of her Christmas present to buy it for me a long time ago. I have been reading it for a while. After weeping through most of the final chapter, I set the book aside and gave Grendel a big hug. He didn’t know why.
He laid down afterwords, sighed, and farted.
Which is what dogs do.
