Merles Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog Audiobook, by Ted Kerasote Play Audiobook Sample

Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog Audiobook

Merles Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog Audiobook, by Ted Kerasote Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Patrick Lawlor Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400173570

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

77:20 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:21 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

41:51 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Ted Kerasote: > View All...

Publisher Description

Ted Kerasote met and adopted Merle, a Laborador mix, while he was on a camping trip. Merle had been living in the wild, and after taking the dog home with him to Wyoming, Kerasote soon realized that Merle could not adjust to inhabiting exclusively in the human world. So he put a door in his house to let Merle live both outside and in.

A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable animal, Merle's Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine, and presents the latest research into animal behavior as well as the origins and evolution of human-dog interaction. Merle showed Kerasote how dogs might live were they free; Kerasote suggests how they should be allowed to live, and the doors that should always remain open to them.

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"This book was great! I always find dog books to be tear-jerkers, and this one didn't disappoint. However, this book offers a glimpse into an enviable life, for both Merle and his owner. Kerasote is able to weave the story of his and Merle's life in with research about dogs and keep it interesting. This book is a must read for anyone who loves dogs and is interested in connecting with their dogs on a deep level."

— Denelle (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • Lawlor's breezy, energetic reading fits perfectly with this account of the author's relationship with his pet.

    — Booklist
  • “Merle is a true character, yet Merle is also everydog. An absolute treasure of a book.”

    — Booklist, starred review
  • “Humorous, jubilant and touching.”

    — Publishers Weekly

Merle's Door Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.25806451612903 out of 54.25806451612903 out of 54.25806451612903 out of 54.25806451612903 out of 54.25806451612903 out of 5 (4.26)
5 Stars: 17
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — david kooiker, 11/9/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " If you love dogs, you will love this book. Merle rocks! The author has a wonderful ability to bring Merle's personality to life through words. "

    — Sheila, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Merle's Door is the best ever written about dogs. "

    — Jim, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love his philosophy, I loved this story, and I loved Merle! What a great dog, and what a special relationship they had. Unfortunately, it plays into all my guilty feelings about the lack of freedom our dog, and cats, have, but we can't let them run loose in the big bad city! And I don't think we'll be moving to Wyoming anytime in the near future... "

    — Khris, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I'm not a big enough dog person to truly enjoy this book in its entirety, but the combination of animal behavior and memoir was fairly entertaining. "

    — Caroline, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was pretty good, but I actually decided I couldn't finish it because I knew what was coming and I don't feel like crying this week.......... "

    — Sarah, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Such a fun book, especially if you are a dog-lover. However, please know that you will bawl your eyes out at the inevitable ending that all dog books have. Sniffle. "

    — Shaina, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " As much as i enjoy pet stories, this one just was too slow for me in that it talked more about the author and not so much about the dog. It really did not grab my interest at all. "

    — Elizabeth, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book for dog owners, especially if you ever had that one dog that seemed to teach you more than you taught him/her. But have a tissue ready. Every great story about a dog has a sad ending. Can't wait to read his next one! "

    — Lisa, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Cried at the end as I do in most dog books! "

    — Awoodin1, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wonderful book. Very well written, if you liked Life with Marley, you will LOVE this book. I cried like a baby at the end, but it made me love and snuggle and appreciate my dog. "

    — Emi, 6/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " My recommendation - read everything but the last chapter. "

    — Devon, 6/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My favorite of the dog books. A touching story with amazing insight into the mind of dogs. "

    — Paula, 1/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is book 15 in my 52 books in 52 weeks "

    — Linda, 5/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a great dog lover's book! It will pull on your heart strings & feed your intelligence from the beginning to the very end. "

    — Kim, 2/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wonderful, touching story of a man that becomes best friends with a homeless dog named Merle, a mix golden retiever in the utah dessert. Their relationship between man and dog deeply increase as they communicate through gestures and tale -wagging. It was very touching. Check this book out. "

    — Alize, 1/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent book! Nature and skiing, and Ted's analyses into what makes dogs who they are is great. And it was so sad that Merle finally crossed over. "

    — Merceda, 10/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A must read for dog owners about life, loves and loss with pets. Comes with a lot of references to animal behavior research. Enjoy. "

    — Dean, 6/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I agree, this book was the best! "

    — Candy, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A once in a long time Wonderful Read. Anyone who has ever owned and loved a dog will find something to relate to in this book. Lots of "science" which may bog down the average reader, but very informative if you are interested in how dogs think. Have the Kleenex handy at the end. "

    — Cass, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my all time favorite ever books! Beautifully written. "

    — Cathy, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book and the stories. Although it's not to realistic that someone could stay at home and do nothing but hike, camp and travel (this guy's a writer) but it's still pretty cool. Merle led a pretty awesome life for a human let alone a dog!!! "

    — Tiffany, 5/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Though I found this book a little off-putting at the beginning, I could not help but be sucked in. The relationship between Ted and Merle was wonderful and beautiful to read about. Be warned. This book made me sob in to my pillow at 3 am so it definitely takes an emotional toll. "

    — Devin, 4/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " friggin cute as hell. if you have a dog you need to read this. "

    — Fuzz, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent book! Nature and skiing, and Ted's analyses into what makes dogs who they are is great. And it was so sad that Merle finally crossed over. "

    — Merceda, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome book --- your relationship with your dog will be enchanced by this book. So wonderful -- Just like our dogs. :) "

    — Georgina, 3/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm a couple chapters into this. I love Merle and all the lesson dogs teach us. "

    — Lauren, 3/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Alright, I admit that I did not finish this book. Filled with lots of good info interspersed with the story of a great dog. But I guess I just wanted more story about Merle and less on the scientific reasons why dogs are the way they are. "

    — Bethany, 3/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Whoa - way to re-think our relationships with our pets... Merle is inspiring. "

    — Pamela, 3/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I talk to my dogs differently now. Very sweet story. "

    — Carolyn, 3/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read this if you want to understand your dog better! "

    — Natasha, 3/7/2011

About Ted Kerasote

Ted Kerasote is the author of several books, including the national bestseller Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog and Out There, which won the National Outdoor Book Award. His essays and photographs have appeared in Audubon, Geo, Outside, Science, the New York Times, and more than sixty other periodicals. He lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

About Patrick Lawlor

Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.