Re: Merle's Room/Merle's door
i read this book last year shortly after i got luc - really enjoyed it.
i agree that a lot of the freedoms merle got were functions of location. and i didn't always agree with everything he did, but the message of the book of merle and the author (whose name i forget) being partners really resonated with me. i LOVED that, and i loved how he described their partnership and the respect he gave merle. the details of luc and teagan's lives aren't the same, but that was a big take away for me, and it really informed my relationship w/luc and i'm glad it did. luc isn't just my heart dog, he's my partner, and yeah - he's a goofy wimp - but he's still my partner and he supports me in his way and is with me - he's my training partner for running, and there are days out there where his presence is just a huge support for me, he lifts me, and i'm lucky to have him. i love that the relationship in the book is taken past dog/owner, dog/handler, or even dog/friend, that he respects merle as a being in his own right.