I can't even begin to express the thrill I had this past weekend. It all started when our Nanaimo DOGSAFE Host, Robyn Andexser, was recently at my house and raving about the "best dog book she had ever read". When anybody describes a book like that, I just KNOW they are talking about Merle's Door. Yes, it is THAT good. And yes, Robyn had just finished reading it. Merle's Door is the most educational, funniest and heart-warming story about the human-dog bond that I have ever read. If you have not already read the book, check out the website www.tedkerasote.com and run to Chapters/Indigo right now. In fact, buy two and give one to your favorite dog person.

Okay, so after Robyn and I reminisced about Merle, Robyn told me she had emailed the author, Ted Kerasote (who lives in Wyoming), about how much the book meant to her. Hmmmm... I have never emailed an author in my life. The book had such an impact on me too that I figured, why not tell him as well?

I promptly emailed Ted and was pleasantly surprised when I received a personal reply about a week later. Not only did he thank me for writing, but explained that he would be in Vancouver in four weeks and requested an interview about DOGSAFE for his upcoming book. Are you kidding me? I get to meet Ted Kerasote? As in, Merle's Door's Ted? As in, Merle and Ted? Merle's guy?? THE Merle??? After I picked up my jaw off the floor, I immediately replied, "YES, it would be an honour."

On Friday, February 27th, I met Ted for the interview at a local North Vancouver pub. I was secretly hoping that he would be as genuine and warm as he came across in the book and happy to report, yes, he is wonderful! We spoke about DOGSAFE and how canine first aid and safety could prolong dogs lives (extending dogs lives is the topic of his new book due out in 2011). I must admit, I was a bit star-struck ... THIS is the actual person who wrote Merle's Door!

Ted, Robyn and I went for dinner that evening and Robyn and I remained in awe when Ted relayed more stories about Merle, the whole writing and publishing process of the book and his research so far on his new book. We were spellbound for hours. Did you know people from all over the world come to his property in Wyoming and leave gifts on Merle's grave? Did you know that he still receives numerous emails about Merle and he replies to every one? Did you know that the first cover for the book was one of Merle laying in the snow and gazing off into the distance? -- they changed it so Merle would be looking right at the reader (worked for me!). Did you know that when choosing a publisher, Ted chose the one who didnt want to delete all the "conversations" between him and Merle? Why? "because that's what dog people do, they talk to their dogs", Ted told us. We couldn't agree more! Ted is a talented author who wrote a book simply because he just loved his dog so much.

The next morning, Ted joined us in our DOGSAFE Canine First Aid course all day. Ted was so humble and was simply "a student". He asked great questions and shared some fascinating insights. Ted told me he really enjoyed the course and I could not have been more proud. And yes, I did make him write the test in order to receive his DOGSAFE certificate!

Ted Kerasote -- our most famous DOGSAFE graduate!

Michelle Sevigny

© 2010 Michelle Sevigny. www.dogsafe.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.