Merle as a pup on the San Juan River, UTBenj and Merle on the San Juan River, UTSinging on the San Juan River, UTSwimming between the kayaks on the San Juan River, UTHamming it up on the San Juan River, UTMerle, Zula, and Jack in Kelly Merle and Ted at the office trailerMerle and young TessaOn the Continental Divide Merle high in the Absaroka MountainsMerle and Ted horsepackingPacking into the River of No Return, IDExploring Pariah Canyon, UT After a swim in Coyote Gulch, UT"Eyes locked: together." Cutting Firewood: Merle, Ted, Tessa, and ScottA last few turns before the snow meltsBreaking trail in new snowIn the ski patrol hut, Jackson Hole Ski AreaMerle on Teton PassSkiing deep powderScouting for elk, Gros Ventre MountainsMerle and Scott, Gros Ventre Mountains"Merle, his nose lovingly caressing the invisible and airborne trails of elk, knew all about sillage."Merle hot on the trail.Gray CatGray Cat hard at workMerle and Gray Cat share the dedicated quadruped couch.Construction dog"He was looking down at me, lashing his tail and grinning form ear to ear: 'This is so cool.'"Merle and Ted take a snooze in the alcove.Teacher Merle, student Brower, Omaha.Merle and Brower got brushed together in OmahaMerle and Ted in OmahaMerle, Brower, and Ted peak-bagging in the Gros Ventre MountainsTed, Brower, and Merle ski on Teton PassAllison, Merle, and Brower, back roads, MontanaMerle and friends get ready for a walk with Jill Oja in KellyMerle helps Eric Moore compose a new song in KellyMerle on the summit of Mt. Democrat, Colorado (14,286')For a dog who liked the outdoors so much, he also liked his comforts.White muzzleShall we dance?Dr. Marybeth Minter gives Merle acupunctureThe mayor of KellyMerle skied through his thirteenth yearMerle climbed Sheep Mountain (11.239') thirteen times Merle above Jackson Hole"From that party on—and he was a party animal—bandanas joined dog panniers as meaning fun."Merle rallies during his illnessMerle and I passed the last days of his life under his aspen treeAnd this ceremony was no more than my nod to Merle"HA-ha-ha!" he panted. "I dance! I DANCE!"
Thanks to Andrea Baxter, April Landale, Chuck Manners, Benj Sinclair, Betsy Robinson, and Allison von Maur, who took some of these photos.
Merle's Life in Photos
© 2010 Ted Kerasote
Web design by Dina Sutin
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