I Just finish your book Merle's Door. I loved that book so much. I never cryed so much reading a book in my life. I have a dog, his mane is Brownie and he is 15 years old. I worry about How I will Handle him leaving me. He gets around very well most of the time, but I can see him also not hearing and not seeing so well. I see dogs so different now that I read your book. Thank-you for sharing that part of your life. I hope you can write back.

I've only gotten half way through your book and I want to thank you for your message.  Dylan is a Border collie/corgi mix.  I have a weakness for Border Collies.   It feels like I spend so much mental time making sure that Dylan is happy ie. making sure that he's not left alone for long periods or stuck in the house, or whether I can take him with me and how long he'll be left in the car.  Now I know that I'm not crazy because of all my caring, and my dog is so much better off because of it.

Your story really came through to me because we live very similarly.  We live in NM on 38.5 acres and we have no real fences.  Dylan doesn't have a door because of the coyotes.  He's a smallish dog, although he doesn't think so.

So after reading your story I know that I'm really not doing a bad job and he's got it pretty good.

Also speaking from experience on ending a friend's life, knowing that you gave your dog the best life he could have and that you did everything possible for him really helps (us humans) when he's gone.

Thanks again for such a wonderful book.

...ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE BOOK AND LOVE STORY ABOUT YOU AND MERLE.  I, TOO, HAVE LOVED BEYOND WORDS MY CANINE COMPANIONS.  MY FIRST I GOT AT 10 YRS.; SHE LIVED TO BE 15 YRS.; MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS DEVASTATED WHEN SHE DIED.  I HAVE MY 7TH NOW AT AGE 65--A GOLDEN RETRIEVER; AT THE SAME TIME I RESCUED HIM, I RESCUED A BULL MASTIFF, AND YOUR MERLE REMINDED ME OF MY RIO. ALL LOSSES ARE HORRENDOUS, BUT WHEN I LOST MY RIO, THE BULL MASTIFF, I LOST MY SOUL MATE; YOU HAVE MY SINCERE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND EMPATHY.  KNOW YOU'LL MEET AGAIN AT RAINBOW BRIDGE.  I LOVED AND MISS ALL MY DOGGIES; AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEM ALL IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US SUCH A WONDERFUL JOURNEY WITH YOU AND MERLE.  SINCERELY, MARY L. HEADLEY

Sent a message a few days ago but I cannot get Merle out of my mind.  He reminds me so much of Willie who came to live with me while living in Jackson. I have 3 other dogs and have had canine companions my entire life----never without one----Willie is Newfie/Irish Wolfhound and is the love of my life.
  Side note===I am friends with MaryLynn Callahan who owns The Herb Store

MY Daughter's gave me Merle's Door I Was in the Hospital and they Said it was a great book.  I finished it today and I Cried because you opened a door with my dogs.  I raised my kids  and my Laddie  my black lab. He Lived 16 years, I said I Will never have a other.  But my brother asked me If I wanted to pick the first pup of from his   Dog GG's litter. My first thing I said was no they are Golden Retievers.  But he has gotten me through my Sickness He is a JOY. Thank You so much for Your book.  And Letting us in your life and Merle's..    

Dear Mr. Kerasote - Finished the book last night. Your words returned me to both the joy and anguish of loving and losing a best friend. You were blessed to be chosen by Merle. He knew immediately what it took you so long to learn. I share my life with six dogs and find the time I spend with them to be much more fulfilling than time spent with other two-leggeds. All the good dogs that have crossed over are having a wonderful time together and waiting only for us to join them. Rachel, Collin, Conner, Marley, Lily and I will meet you on the other side. Live well and we wish you good fortune in finding your next best friend.

Hello Mr. Kerasote.  I just purchased your book yesterday, as a Christmas gift for my father.  You see, I too have a dog named Merle, which is why the title of the book struck me so.  My Merle is 9 years old, and I've had him since he was approximately 9-10 weeks old.  At the time I welcomed him into my life (and me into his), I was working at a veterinary hospital.  A client had brought in a litter of three puppies that she had found tossed in a ditch alongside of the highway, and had brought them in to receive their first shots, and hopefully find them homes.  The clients were "country folk," so had named the puppies Hank Williams, Minnie Pearl, and Merle Haggard.  Needless to sat, Merle's eyes met with mine and it was Kismet.  I'm not saying he "was meant to be mine," but rather, we were meant to be together, which we still are.  I have had some personal difficulties within this past year, so I have had to move back with my parents (I'm 33).  Since then, my father has absolutely fallen in love with Merle (although he may be too proud to admit it).  I know that Merle has brought something invaluable to my father's life (as he is retired, and Merle is his best friend).  I'm sure that it is "too late in the game" for me to send my copy of the book to you for an autograph, but could it be possible for you to send some sort of a staement, whether via e-mail or what have you?  In my mind, Merle is such a precious and unique name; to know (of) someone else who has a Merle is truly something very special.  Even if you can do nothing, I would appreciate it could please let me know.  Please have a Happy Holiday, and I will always keep Merle in my prayers.  
                   Thank you again,
                   Sincerely,   Sarah McTaggart  

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