Ted Kerasote, Author of Merle's Door and Pukka's Promise

Pukka’s Promise
The Quest For Longer-Lived Dogs

From the bestselling author who offers "the most utterly compelling translation of dog to human I have ever seen" (Jeffrey Masson), a joyful chronicle of a dog that is also a groundbreaking answer to the question: How can we give our dogs the happiest, healthiest lives?

When Ted Kerasote was ready for a new dog after losing his beloved Merle — who died too soon, as all our dogs do — he knew that he would want to give his puppy Pukka the longest life possible. But how to do that? So much has changed in the way we feed, vaccinate, train, and live with our dogs from even a decade ago. Read more>>

View a video of Ted's book tour presentation

"At once encyclopedic and intimate—a tour de force."
—Kirkus Reviews

"This might be the most important book about dogs written in a decade."
—Patricia B. McConnell, author of The Other End of the Leash

"Kerasote has produced a masterpiece."
—Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

Visit your local bookseller or order here:

Pukka, March 18, 2009 – June 3, 2025

As Labrador Retrievers go, Pukka had a remarkably long life. At 16 years, he lived four years longer than the average member of his breed. In human terms, he was a centenarian, and if the canine world had a Renaissance individual, it was he. He skied, he hunted elk and birds, he was a brilliant Frisbee player, and on countless occasions exhibited memory, reasoning, and autonomy, making his own well-grounded decisions rather than following mine.

As a way of continuing his legacy, I’ve established Pukka’s Laryngeal Paralysis Fund at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine: https://supportuw.org/giveto/pukka. Pukka eventually succumbed to late-onset laryngeal paralysis, also known as GOLPP (Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy), a common, degenerative neurologic disease that affects older, medium- and large-breed dogs, causing difficult, noisy breathing, regurgitation, and hind-end weakness.

An estimated 50 percent of Labrador Retrievers over the age of eleven can develop laryngeal paralysis. Golden Retrievers are also affected, as are Newfoundlands, Borzois, Greyhounds, German Shepherds, and mixed breeds, making it likely that between one and two million dogs in the United States suffer from this disease.

The aim of Pukka’s Laryngeal Paralysis Fund is to financially support research into the causes and treatment of the condition, with the particular aims of discovering a genetic test to identify dogs at risk for the disease as well as finding effective remedies for dogs who are afflicted by it. Any donation, no matter its size, will help accelerate this research and bring us closer to the day when our dogs might be free of this debilitating and ultimately fatal condition. Donations can be made through this link: https://supportuw.org/giveto/pukka. Or if you prefer to give by check, you can use this form from the University’s foundation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vwLQM3VC4yrhGybqt_CZZIxYudS6pjI1/view. Thank you very much for considering a donation. Thank you very much for considering a donation. Ted

Pukka's Promise
Merle’s Door
Lessons from a Freethinking Dog

“Humorous, jubilant and touching by turns” —Publisher’s Weekly

Acting as Merle's translator, and using Merle's life and lessons as a door into the world of dogs, Ted takes us on the journey they shared while showing how any dog can benefit from more freedom. Read more>>

Thank you for helping dogs with GOLPP!