"The Creative Process of Writing
is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"
www.virtualwritingcoach.com
February, 2009
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Book Review: Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Writer's Connection explores the creative process
of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings,
and actions. We are an interactive community of authors
and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre,
but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips
for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing
information.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton
and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript,
and are provided to the general public. Because we are
an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints
are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters
with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
February, 2009
Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: Book Review:
Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog
3. Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog
Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote is to
Marley and Me what
the outdoor, wildlife dog story is to the domesticated dog story. No doubt, that
Marley and Me
has been a bestseller and now a movie hit. I was so impressed with the book that I recommended it in a prior
newsletter. But hold on! That was before I read
Merle's Door which absolutely is the best dog story ever
written. It starts on a rafting trip in the Utah desert when Ted and his crew notice a ten-month-old scraggly
dog that was most likely abandoned by a Navaho Indian tribe because he had been shot for getting too close
to someone's livestock. Interesting, the owner, Ted didn't know about the gunshot wound until fourteen years
later when Merle was smitten with nerve damage in his right front leg.
Let me share with you why this book is so intriguing: it is part descriptive of the Jackson, Wyoming
landscape including the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park in eastern Idaho; it is the story of how
an adopted dog refuses to give up his independence for his human master and the compromises each makes to
live together; and third, it is educational from a behavioral conditioning perspective on how to best train
man's best friend. No doubt this book is controversial in that the author makes no apologies for his "no
leash let them do whatever approach" when they've already adapted to their habitat-in Merle's case, sub-zero
temperatures and snow for six months each year. Merle loves to snow board with his belly and front paws;
he loves hunting elk; he loves making the rounds of Kelly, Wyoming as its mayor. Merle is as independent as
his owner and it's exciting to watch the symbiotic relationship between man and animal.
Beginning with Merle's wolf heritage and the advantages of dogs running in packs for protection and
socialization, Ted talks about his aborted attempts at domesticating Merle: first with food, shelter, and
training. The big breakthrough came when Merle finally adjusted to his "doggie door" which is part of the
title to the book. The door represents Merle's seamless transparent pathway between animal and human worlds.
His wild survival roots remain intact until his later years when he becomes infirmed with a cancer that
eventually kills him. But the author discusses the merits of euthanasia and his refusal to put Merle down as
long as Merle wasn't in pain and could be helped with traditional and homeopathic options. With a team of
three great vet doctors, Merle achieved the ripe old age of 15 years and one could honestly say he lived
his life to the fullest, thanks in great part to an understanding and knowledgeable owner who did not blur
the lines between his needs and those of his dog. Animal lovers will certainly debate the author's libertarian
view of his place vis-à-vis his dog's world, but no one can debate the author's unconditional love and respect
for his best friend.
Ted is an interesting author having written on extreme winter sports and surviving the harsh winters in
Wyoming. He is an avid skier, alpinist, hiker, hunter, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiast who has written for
several outdoor magazines and has a list of books to his credit. Although anthropologic in its presentation.
Merle's Door will tug at your heartstrings. He is full of life and adventure and lived his life to the fullest
and on his terms. No way would he opt for any leash, kennel, or fetching as a subservient animal to his master.
His love for his owner truly was unconditional because his owner quickly realized that to domesticate Merle
would change his personality and willingness to live life on his own terms. The natural law of survival was
the only condition for a love that transcended any training manuals, animal behaviorists, and attempts at
making our dogs live on our terms.
For those of you who are dog owners, do not feel guilty
about your indoor dogs and how obedient they remain. Instead
focus on those dogs that choose not to be leashed and
sequestered in our human world. Ted learned much from
his beloved friend, without imposing his human constraints
on Merle. And for that Merle was eternally grateful. Merle
remains buried today on sacred Indian burial ground above
Jackson, Wyoming overlooking the Grand Tetons and the
many trails he foraged with the author. His spirit now
soars with the eagles. You can visit
HarcourtBooks.com
for more information on Ted Kerasote's bestseller and
more of his awards. Ted is truly a gifted author and animal
lover and observer of wildlife and their relationship
to humans.
Helpful Hints:
- Compare both books: Merle's Door and Marley and Me; which story intrigues you more and
why? What do you think about Ted's hypothesis that the relationship between man and animal is based on mutual
respect for each other?
- What does Merle teach us about being true to ourselves and risk-avoidance behavior. Whose life do
you think was more enriched by their respect for each other: Merle or Ted?
- Visit an animal shelter and tell me what you think? Do you think domesticated dogs should be given
playtime without fences, leashes, and choke collars?
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About Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina,
consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded
and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing
group home services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality
