Every dog lover will be grateful to Ted Kerasote for writing Pukka's Promise, his follow-up to the much beloved Merle's Door, and for his exhaustive research into answering the questions: Why do dogs die so young? What can we do to prevent this?
Once Kerasote knew he was ready to find his next dog after Merle, he embarked on a journey to learn about the healthiest ways to raise dogs. He interviewed many veterinarians, dog breeders, researchers and shelter workers who identified six factors that affect a dog's longevity: inbreeding, nutrition, environmental pollutants, vaccination, spaying and neutering and the shelter system. To these, Kerasote added his own factor--freedom.
Kerasote seamlessly integrates his findings with the story of the search for his next dog, including his experiences raising Pukka (pronounced PUCK-uh, meaning "genuine" or "first-class" in Hindi) from puppyhood. Every decision Kerasote makes is deliberate--from the elk he shoots to nourish himself and his dog to leaving Pukka intact sexually to resorting to e-collar training to preserve Pukka's freedom. He is definitive and opinionated, but his decisions are never made lightly or without scrupulous research and consideration.
Pukka's Promise is a wealth of information any dog lover would appreciate and is truly a love letter to this beloved species. It is not only a fast-paced and engrossing read, but a significant testament to how the decisions we make every day affect the dogs we love so much. --Kristen Galles, blogger at Book Club Classics