Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs    by Ted Kerasote Order:  USA  Can Harcourt, 2013 (2013) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Jessica Maguire They are man's best friend. Dogs work their way into our hearts and our lives, and are an indispensable part of our families. That's why for most people losing their dog is just like losing a treasured family member. That's especially true for Ted Kerasote, author of Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs. With the loss of his beloved long-time companion Merle, Kerasote questions why dogs have such a relatively short life span compared to their human counterparts. After a long search for a new dog to share his life with, Kerasote explores ways in which he can extend the life of his new pup, Pukka, as well as the lives of dogs everywhere. Kerasote begins by giving the reader the story of his beloved Merle and the circumstances of Merle's passing. He poses many questions surrounding the health and lifespan of our canine companions such as 'Why wasn't I told that my dog might become arthritic after being vaccinated?' and why do so many dogs, regardless of age, die from cancer? Does spaying and neutering our dogs actually decrease their lifespan as well as lead to other health risks? Are purebreds healthier than mixed breeds? Aside from questioning what makes a dog healthy or not, Kerasote also offers helpful training tips that he uses with Pukka. Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs is a must read for those sharing their lives with dogs and those who are considering adding a canine companion to their family. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews