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Author and journalist, Ted Kerasote, of Merle’s Door is back with a new book (and a new dog!) in this latest autobiographical installment of his life and adventures.
Pukka’s Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs, chronicle’s Ted’s search for a new pup- and not just any pup. He wants a dog as close in composition and temperament to Merle as he can get, and the author is also determined to provide this new little guy with the best (and longest) life possible. While initially put off by what seemed a “search to replicate Merle in exactation”, it turns out there is a point and purpose to that particular vibe. Even my question “why doesn’t he just have Merle cloned if he’s that attached and insistent?” was discussed. We’re all individuals. Some people never want another dog after losing a beloved furry friend. Some folks get dog after dog of the same breed, and re-use the same name each time. Other folks DO clone their dogs…
On that note, why do we want our dogs to live longer lives? Definitely, we want our canine companions to have the best life (and the best chance at living) possible, and we do want to be informed on everything related to their health that could help keep them with us for a very long time. It’s true some dog breeds in this day and age are, in fact, living shorter lives than they once did. Ironic, considering the medical advances, access to good food, information and technology that we have today.
Having had the experience of having a puppy of my own pass away inexplicably at just 9 weeks old, and having just this year lost a very beloved best friend just 6 weeks shy of his 10th birthday, it’s easy to see both sides. Losing a puppy, you remind yourself there are so many other dogs out there in need of homes. Losing an older dog, one you expected to live at least 3 more years, and had been praying would at least make it to that 10th birthday celebration, you’re suddenly all too aware of the recent decline in longevity for certain breeds. Perhaps “doing what we can to make them live longer” is also “doing what we can to help the lives they’re living be better/healthier.”
This book is an excellent, EXCELLENT read! Very good sentences! Topics are thoroughly researched and both sides are fairly presented. I learned a lot, and I really appreciated Kerasote’s attention to detail, and the informative topics he covered.There are definitely things to consider when caring for our dogs.
Everything from what their toys are made of, to over-vaccination and even spay/neuter is analyzed. I didn’t realize so many of the diseases/ailments today’s dogs suffer from are actually due to a LACK of hormones. We need to get more vets on the vasectomy/tubal ligation bandwagon if we want to see the end of many of the thyroid and adrenal diseases and knee ligament ruptures that are becoming so prevalent. Did you know Europe basically has zero spay/neuter campaigns, all of their dogs are intact and yet they don’t have the pet overpopulation problem we have in the U.S.? (Hint: It’s because folks are responsible enough to keep their females inside for the few days a year that they are fertile.)
This book also puts to rest the popular myths surrounding dry dog food, and offers a fascinating history of how kibble was created.
Oh, and did you know that any time the temperature drops below 57 degrees, for any length of time at all, the heartworm microfilaria in infected mosquitoes dies? (At least until it bites another infected animal.) Those are just a few interesting facts you’ll learn while reading this book.
Pukka’s Promise… is absolutely fascinating! It’s being called The Omnivore’s Dilemma of the dog world for great reason! I will be keeping it on my kitchen shelf with my other “health” books!
NOTE: No dogs die in this book and Pukka is currently alive and well and enjoying all kinds of travel/adventures with Ted! Dawn & Jack met Pukka when they visited Wyoming, read about it HERE!
Jennifer Casula is a certified group exercise instructor and personal trainer (also an avid reader) preparing to weather her second winter in Oklahoma (she pretends she’s “just visiting”) with her three dogs, two cats and two turtles.
