Customer Rating:  
Summary: I bought 6 more copies for dog-loving friends
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: LUCKY DOG!
Comment: 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,
Customer Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud. And I cried, too.
Comment: From page one, I envied Ted not only for finding a dog like Merle, but for living a life that is so well suited to a dog. What an amazing life Merle had, and all the way to the end! If only all of our dogs could have the freedom that Merle did...neurotic dogs would be an endangered species.
I cannot count on two hands the number of times I laughed out loud at Merle's antics, and at Ted's interpretations of them, while reading this book. And then, toward the end, I cried. I cried until my eyes were puffy and red, until my husband begged me to put down the book. The lives of the dogs in this book, as well as their humans' lives, are touching. This is a must read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Two Stories in One
Comment: Did I love this book? Yes. But it is two books in one and one of the sections I found too long and of minimal interest. In fact, I purchased this book for my dog loving wife to read on the plane and she found the book too boring? Solution? Don't read the boring section if you find it as such.
The story of Merle and Ted is brillant, loving, caring, and of great interest that will leave you in tears at the end of the book. In fact, poor timing put me 100 pages away from finished at 11:00 at night which meant it was a 2:00 bedtime that night. Ted's relationship with his dog Merle is simple but complex and he does an excellent job describing how they communicate. Merle's life is much more rewarding than most dogs in a small town in the wilderness able to live without leash laws. As good as this book is in describing the relationship between dog and owner, the bonus is Ted's one long-standing female relationship with a younger, much taller woman who buys a similar dog.
The part of the book that is less enjoyable is when Ted discusses the theory of dog behavior. It is interwoven throughout the book and while interesting and informative, it does detract from the owner/dog relationship and pushes the book much longer than it needs to be. But this shouldn't penalize the absolute great story than any dog lover will enjoy reading. So, read it all, or I told my wife, skip the theory until you get to a paragraph that has the word "Merle" in it and you will get a great payoff.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Semi Disapointed
Comment: Good book but I was somewhat disapointed. I wanted to read about Merle really not interested in all other info that was included. Way to much of it. Felt like I was back in college when all I wanted to do was read about this beautiful animal. I by passed that stuff and read just about Merle.
|
