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beastreader's review
2.0
Any dog lover would agree that we all want to know the secrets to how to keep our loved pets around longer and healthier. So if there was a fountain of youth for dogs I would say where it is and I am gone. Since I am not aware of such a fountain the next best thing is Mr. Kerasote and his book Pukka’s Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs.
Mr. Kerasote really did his homework. He outlines in extensive details and I mean the details have details. Mr. Kersote explains about the downfalls of bad breeding, especially crossbreeding. Which I never was a fan of cross breeding myself. I just do not like the look of many of the dogs that are a product of this.
While I appreciated all of the information that Mr. Kersote shared. After a while I could not take anymore of it as reading this book felt like reading a text book. Nothing learned new for me which was a bummer. However this book might make a good gift for a dog lover in your life or friend.
Mr. Kerasote really did his homework. He outlines in extensive details and I mean the details have details. Mr. Kersote explains about the downfalls of bad breeding, especially crossbreeding. Which I never was a fan of cross breeding myself. I just do not like the look of many of the dogs that are a product of this.
While I appreciated all of the information that Mr. Kersote shared. After a while I could not take anymore of it as reading this book felt like reading a text book. Nothing learned new for me which was a bummer. However this book might make a good gift for a dog lover in your life or friend.
burningskulls's review against another edition
3.0
I am surprised this book is as highly rated overall as it is. While it addresses points that are long overdue in mainstream dog books (diet, over-vaccination, etc), it has numerous sloppy and anecdotal arguments, and feels like it is written by someone who has had a couple dogs he truly cherishes and a zealous willingness to research, but clearly hasn't spent their life working and dealing with dogs. Among the host of annoyances:
1) Constant, unending anthropomorphism makes it hard to be a book that you get lost in. It could have been half the size and discuss the information actually related to longevity, while eliminating all of the invented conversations in which Pukka discusses Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while teaching all of the other dogs who visit the village to behave perfectly with just eyebrow raises and stern looks.
2) It really seems like many of the points he makes took the route of him having his own opinion, finding the right people to back it up, and then anecdotally saying, "See, I was right, because Merle and Pukka were just like that." This is no more relevant in his argument against spay/neuter. He clearly wants to defend his position against neutering his dog, so he states "I had easily found vets to tell me that neutering a dog would make him better behaved, I started looking for vets who might have a different opinion..." This is great, and I applaud presenting differing views, but he is only willing to present supporters of spay/neuter in a negative light. Presenting a statement such as "Even the most positive study...still found that 40 percent of dogs had no change in their roaming, mounting, urine-marking, and aggression after being sterilized" is disingenuous. That's 60% of owners with a better dog, but the argument is presented as 40% without any change. I don't even necessarily disagree with some of the overall arguments against spay/neuter, but they are presented in a very sloppy manner.
3) Another example would be logic such as the following: My dog wouldn't stop chasing animals, and even though I don't agree with shock collars, I used one anyway and it worked. But you are all the cruel ones by leashing your dogs because they were meant to roam free, and as long as they are leashed they will never be truly happy like my dog, so the ends clearly justify the means.
3) It's great that he essentially lost his dog in the woods, and was fortunate enough that the dog was waiting for him at the top of the trail, but maybe he shouldn't imply people are over-protective authoritarians unwilling to let their dogs roam free when they think that when facing a similar situation, maybe they should call their dog to come when they are out of sight for minutes at a time in the woods.
Again, 3 stars because there is some great information, but it just doesn't fire on all cylinders.
1) Constant, unending anthropomorphism makes it hard to be a book that you get lost in. It could have been half the size and discuss the information actually related to longevity, while eliminating all of the invented conversations in which Pukka discusses Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while teaching all of the other dogs who visit the village to behave perfectly with just eyebrow raises and stern looks.
2) It really seems like many of the points he makes took the route of him having his own opinion, finding the right people to back it up, and then anecdotally saying, "See, I was right, because Merle and Pukka were just like that." This is no more relevant in his argument against spay/neuter. He clearly wants to defend his position against neutering his dog, so he states "I had easily found vets to tell me that neutering a dog would make him better behaved, I started looking for vets who might have a different opinion..." This is great, and I applaud presenting differing views, but he is only willing to present supporters of spay/neuter in a negative light. Presenting a statement such as "Even the most positive study...still found that 40 percent of dogs had no change in their roaming, mounting, urine-marking, and aggression after being sterilized" is disingenuous. That's 60% of owners with a better dog, but the argument is presented as 40% without any change. I don't even necessarily disagree with some of the overall arguments against spay/neuter, but they are presented in a very sloppy manner.
3) Another example would be logic such as the following: My dog wouldn't stop chasing animals, and even though I don't agree with shock collars, I used one anyway and it worked. But you are all the cruel ones by leashing your dogs because they were meant to roam free, and as long as they are leashed they will never be truly happy like my dog, so the ends clearly justify the means.
3) It's great that he essentially lost his dog in the woods, and was fortunate enough that the dog was waiting for him at the top of the trail, but maybe he shouldn't imply people are over-protective authoritarians unwilling to let their dogs roam free when they think that when facing a similar situation, maybe they should call their dog to come when they are out of sight for minutes at a time in the woods.
Again, 3 stars because there is some great information, but it just doesn't fire on all cylinders.
geeisforgrace's review
5.0
LOVED this book. I picked it up thinking this would be "Merle's Door" Part 2. Instead, I was surprised with an engaging, informative research piece. This book is essential for any modern dog owner, as Kerasote blends memoir with informative, in-depth research on dog ownership, care, training, and history. Kerasote sifts through all the rumors, recommendations, and research to decipher what it means to care for a dog in the current times. He tackles tough topics like food, vaccinations/vet care, spay/neutering, and shelter vs. purebred dogs, and compiles all of his research-based information into one enjoyable, easy-to-read, appropriate book. He lays out evidence in a straightforward fashion, without judgment or what people "should" do. Wonderful, charming read that I highly recommend to every dog owner/enthusiast.
archergal's review against another edition
5.0
We listened to this audiobook while we were looking for a second dog to add to our home. We lost our best dog Jasper at the end of January, to congestive heart failure. He was only 12, which makes the quest for longer-lived dogs especially poignant for us.
I absolutely adored the author's previous book on dogs, Merle's Door. That book was a love song for a very special dog. Trying to find a dog that could follow in Merle's footsteps was a challenge for Mr. Kerasote. He did quite a lot of research on dog food, vaccines, spaying and neutering, and various other things that might contribute to dogs living longer lives. Interspersed with his research, he tells stories about his time with Pukka.
Pukka lives an ideal dog's life. He lives in a community where he doesn't have to be on leash 100% of the time when he's outdoors. He goes skiing and hiking trips with Ted. Most of us cannot live this way with our dogs, alas. Leash laws and cars and such in suburbia makes it too dangerous.
I love a man who loves his dog, though, and Mr. Kerasote really loves his dogs.
I absolutely adored the author's previous book on dogs, Merle's Door. That book was a love song for a very special dog. Trying to find a dog that could follow in Merle's footsteps was a challenge for Mr. Kerasote. He did quite a lot of research on dog food, vaccines, spaying and neutering, and various other things that might contribute to dogs living longer lives. Interspersed with his research, he tells stories about his time with Pukka.
Pukka lives an ideal dog's life. He lives in a community where he doesn't have to be on leash 100% of the time when he's outdoors. He goes skiing and hiking trips with Ted. Most of us cannot live this way with our dogs, alas. Leash laws and cars and such in suburbia makes it too dangerous.
I love a man who loves his dog, though, and Mr. Kerasote really loves his dogs.
bellacocoa's review against another edition
5.0
lots of interesting info but also enjoyed the descriptions of Pukka's personality and the Wyoming scenery.
sylectra's review against another edition
3.0
Heard it on Audible. Great research on dog health - fantastic reporting. I graded down for the cloyingly sweet anthropomorphic dog voices throughout. Verged on creepy.
sobomismatch's review
4.0
I didn't always agree with kerasote, but I appreciated the information he presented and the effort he has put into raising Pukka. I have no doubt that this book will make me a better dog owner someday and in addition to that it was an enjoyable read.
kla809's review
4.0
I enjoyed hearing about Pukka and Merle (I've never read his other books), and the book contained a lot of interesting details and research about keeping your dog healthy. However, it made me a little paranoid about whether I was choosing the right food, or whether I should get my dog's booster shots; wondering if I should take away his toys and toss his bed, and trying to figure out where the heck I was going to find turkey necks for my dog to munch. It's extreme health for dogs. And while I don't recommend feeding your dog the cheapest kibble on the market, I'm not sure swinging to the opposite extreme is necessary, either. But what do I know?
greyhart's review
1.0
Rich man twists and turns various researches to justify his rich lifestyle and questionable choices in 400 pages. If Pukka lives long it'll be thanks to systems that were set up by organizations and people around this guy. Also, we get it, you love killing wild animals, just admit it and stop bending backwards trying to justify it.
kjones31's review against another edition
4.0
Longer than it needed to be, but otherwise a pretty good and useful book. Interesting mix of research and anecdotes. Great topic (canine lifespan) with some actionable recommendations. Most of what he says makes sense, but it's hard to translate a small-town Wyoming style of dog-rearing to city living.