Merle's Door (by Ted Kerasote)

Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. It was recommended to me by another avid reader, Noel of ThoughtsRandomlySpoken. We seem to have very similar tastes in reading material, so I trusted her judgment.

Q. Did you like the book?
A. Very much. And I loved Merle, the title dog.

Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Real people, real animals, entirely believable -- even to the author's translation into human language of what his dog was thinking or saying.

Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. It was part textbook, part love story, and the style changed slightly from time to time, depending on whether the author was trying to educate his readers or simply tell Merle's story.

Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. I sure did. Too much sometimes.

Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing.

Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. First, I felt a terrible sense of loss. When I finally stopped crying, I felt that the book had given me some meaningful questions to consider. I appreciate that.

Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, though I'm not up for that kind of emotional upheaval again anytime soon.

Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. As the owner of old dogs, I know I'll face painful decisions in the next few years, and this book will help me know the right thing to do. For example, I've dog-eared the page that lists a veterinarian's six criteria for euthanasia. When the time comes for me to consider that issue, I'll appreciate the guidance.