Includes index.

From the wild -- The First dog -- The Synaptic kiss -- In the genes -- Building the door -- Growing into himself -- Top dog -- The Gray cat -- Estrogen clouds -- At home in the arms of the country -- The Problem of me -- The Mayor of Kelly -- The Alpha pair -- White muzzle -- What do dogs want? -- A looser leash -- The First passing -- Through the door

Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert - Merle living wild and Ted looking for a pup to shape into a companion. But the training went both ways. Ted taught Merle how to live around wildlife, and Merle taught Ted that a dog grows intelligent when allowed to make his own decisions.