My last 2 reads were back to back "dog" stories. One, "A Dog's Purpose" by Bruce Cameron, was a loan before Christmas from a friend. Coincidentally, another friend gave us "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote, for a Christmas gift, so I read that next. I enjoyed both stories, but Kerasote's story will steal your heart, even if you aren't a dog person. This is not just another get-out-your-kleenex box story. Merle was not your average dog, and Kerasote is not an average writer. At the heart of this book is a person who wanted to learn from his dog, not just teach his dog. And if you read this book, you will learn a lot about dogs that you never knew. You probably won't agree with all of it (I'm not sure I did), but you will come away enlightened, nonetheless. I recommend both, but if you have to pick and choose, choose Merle's story first.