 2008-11-02 - life - for its own sake
This book is about a man and his dog living life to the fullest together. The bond between them is very powerful. Merle lived the way he wanted to live, and he was free to die in his own time and his own way. There is something very transcendent about this book. It's more than a dog story. I think it's really about permission to live life fully, something very few people do or even recognize as possible. That's the message that Merle brought.
2008-10-28 - Vastly entertaining, and helpfully instructive
I was hesitant about picking up this book because I knew that it would have a sad ending. I've had enough animal loss in my life that I just couldn't be sure I wanted to read about another person's experiences.Luckily, I did pick it up and read it within a couple f days.I have long realized the intelligence and the ability to communicate with animals. I have seen their reasoning ability, their senses of humor in teasing their owners, their emotions and their love And so this book deeply touched me. An important plus here is the scientific viewpoints given. One gets not only the pet owner's viewpoint, but the pros and cons written by others on the subject of animal intelligence and communication. And I believe I actually found helpful information in this book which will enhance my own experiences with my cat Lotta. For those truly interested in animal communication, I recommend this book and also ALEX & ME which details the relationship between a lady scientist and her African Grey parrot.
2008-10-27 - Wonderful read!
Read this after dropping my own wonderful dog at Camp Bow Wow while I traveling for 9 days. Almost made me hijack the plane to turn around and pick up Browser and hug him forever.
My dog is a lot like Merle, a big hearted rescue dog (shephard/rottweiler), and I'm doing my best to raise him as much like Mere as possible, even though I'm in a small city. Never could stand to see dogs poofy and prancing like circus ponies, but humans have a deep need to control everything and bend it to their will, including their children.
What a great life that dog had! Come to think of it, wish I could live like that...
 2008-10-08 - I bought 6 more copies for dog-loving friends
As an avid reader of 40+ years, I can honestly say that this is the only book I ever began re-reading the day after I finished it. It manages to be entertaining, intelligently crafted, well researched, thought-provoking and emotionally engaging all at once. I purchased 6 additional copies for friends and favorite dog care professionals, as I couldn't wait to share this book. In this book you get a unique window into the evolution of Ted and Merle's relationship through what seems to be both Ted and Merle's eyes. Ted and Merle's relationship is mutually respectful, emotionally intelligent and loving in a way that would put most human relationships to shame. They seem to truly be able to communicate and share their love of the outdoors in a way that most dog owners could only dream of achieving. Ted's astute observations of Merle's language and behaviors, coupled with his well-researched examples of studies in dog behavior, help us to understand and validate the context of his observations. The amazing thing is Ted is able to weave this scientific detail into the real-life observations in a way that enhances rather than interrupting the flow of the story.
Warning: Have a very big box of tissues ready for the last two chapters. I cried just as hard on the second reading as I did on the first. A truly, truly amazing book that I cannot even begin to do justice in describing here.
2008-10-06 - LUCKY DOG!
The brilliance and vulnerability of the author's writing challenged me to be a better human to my canine friends. Thank you, Ted. Thank you, Merle. Every time I hear Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, I'll remember you fondly and lift my heart in joyful appreciation for noble characters like you. Truly,
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