Book Review and Giveaway, Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs

Why are dogs lives so short? It's a question that keeps coming up around me. And it seems I'm hearing even more of it lately... from an increasing number of folks whose dogs are dying too soon, including my Cosmo, who passed away from cancer recently just a few months after his 10th birthday.

So when I heard about Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs,I jumped at the chance to review it.  Afterall, I have a new, young pup of my own, and I'd like nothing more than to help him live the healthiest life possible. Read all the way down for a chance to win your own copy of the book!

The word Pukka, pronouced PUCK-uh, comes from the Hindi and captures the notions of "genuine," "first-class, " or "the best." It's a word, author Ted Kerasote says, he heard on so many climbing expeditions in the Himalayas. And as his new pup offered brilliant young-pup behaviors like "telling" Kerasote when he needed to go outside and following his nose back their motel room during their journey home, the name Pukka came to him. "Yes, in fact I think you're a pukka dog," Kerasote said to the pup, and there starts the story of Pukka's Promise.

Author Ted Kerasote and Pukka

After losing his beloved dog Merle, Kerasote searched far and wide to learn more about what makes for a healthy dog and what factors contribute to the longevity of their lives. He traveled the dog world in Europe and throughout North America, interviewing breeders, veterinarians and leaders of the animal-welfare movement. Kerasote used that information to help him carefully select his new pup Pukka, and he relives his experience in Pukka's Promise.

In Pukka's Promise, Kerasote shares what he learned about purebreds versus mixed breeds, vaccines, spaying and neutering, dog nutrition and cancer in dogs. He weaves the science and research he gathered into brilliant storytelling about his own life with dogs, making Pukka's Promise a compelling read from beginning to end.

Some of Kerasote's findings and choices may not be popular with everyone, but it's hard to deny that there's got to be a better way to help our dogs live longer, healthier lives. In Pukka's Promise, Kerasote takes you along on his journey, describing each experience in brilliant detail that makes you feel like you're along for the ride.

We're glad we took the journey with Kerasote and Pukka, and now you can too!

Win a copy of Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs

Enter via Rafflecopter, below, for a chance to win a copy of Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, February 2013) by bestselling author Ted Kerasote.  Entries open until April 18. U.S. only.  If you can't wait to check out the book, you can order a copy here!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were provided with a copy of Pukka's Promise to review and give away.  All opinions expressed herein are our own.