When Ted Kerasote was ready for a new dog after losing his beloved Merle--who died, as all our dogs do, too soon--he knew that he would want to give his puppy the longest life possible. But how? Combining cutting-edge research with an adventurous narrative, Kerasote offers answers that will surprise you. He provides vital new information on whether a purebred can be as healthy as a mixed-breed, whether you should say no to yearly vaccines and spaying or neutering, and how to pick the best food from the crowded shelves. Traveling the dog world in Europe and North America and interviewing breeders, veterinarians, and leaders of the animal-welfare movement, Kerasote helps us rethink the everyday choices we make for our companions, interweaving fascinating science with the charming stories of raising Pukka among his many dog friends in their small Wyoming village.--From publisher description.