It is non fiction describing the life of a dog he found (or maybe found him) on a rafting trip out west. The author relates his relationship with Merle and his behaviors and discusses them in the context of the evolution of dogs and the ancient pact humans have formed with them.

Merle reminds me of several dogs I have had from my current little Pal, Scout to Monte, a dog that just showed up in my barn one day that seemed to tell me the same thing that Merle “said” to Ted…. “You need a dog!”

An excellent book and a fascinating story about an amazing dog.