Reviews for Doggerel: Poems about Dogs

The average rating for Doggerel: Poems about Dogs based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-01-14 00:00:00 Andrew Childs In memory of Duke- THE POWER OF THE DOG By Rudyard Kipling. There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear. Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear. When the fourteen years that nature permits Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers, or loaded guns. Then you will find--its your own affair But--you've given your heart to a dog to tear. When the body that lived at your single will When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, You still discover how much you care And will give your heart to a dog to tear. We've sorrow enough in the natural way When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve; For when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short time loan is as bad as a long-- So why in Heaven (before we are there) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Review # 2 was written on 2017-06-03 00:00:00 Jon Schneider This is a charming little book filled with poems for dog lovers. It includes poems written by Lord Byron, W. H. Auden, William Wordsworth, Geoffrey Chaucer, Elizabeth Bishop, Thomas Hardy, Stevie Smith, Emily Dickinson, among many others. You won't find cheesy poems in this collection: some are funny, others are heartbreaking, and most of them are delightful (except those related to hunting, which I found distressing). If you love dogs like I do, this lovely tome will steal a smile from you every time you open it.