Throw the Damn Ball: Classic Poetry by Dogs
A Plume Book
Published by The Penguin Group
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Hardcover: 128 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0142180853
E-Book File Size: 44041 KB
ASIN: B00C5R73HY
“Dogs seldom make passes
At dogs passing gasses.”
Are these the words of Dorothy Parker? Ogden Nash?
Nope, the author is Sparky from Milton, Pennsylvania. Sparky, Snowy, Tucker, Louie, these canine laureates have written a volume of poetry displaying the brilliance and wit we’ve always suspected our dogs were hiding from us.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
While the pooches in the pictures are adorable I didn’t “howl with joy, bark with laughter or beg for more” as the back cover says I would do. Yes, a couple of the “poems” were clever most just left me shaking my head, thinking am I really taking time to read these. I can truly believe they were written by dogs so I guess the human authors/editors accomplished what they set out to do. The introduction as us to “Be open-minded. Embrace the dogs efforts to be better understood.” I know the point is humor and not actual literature, it just wasn’t the book for me.
Here’s a sample:
My Big Bone
Chew, chew, chew, chew
Lick, lick, lick, lick
Gnaw, gnaw, gnaw, gnaw
And so it goes
My big bone
~Mickey
(Picture shows a cute medium size dog with a big bone.)
Many people keep books like this in the bathroom. That is where I think it belongs. Maybe read in small doses it would be more enjoyable. And I do love dogs!! I will take doggy hugs and kisses anytime, they just don’t have to try to impress with any type of poetic verse.
Note: While the dog pictures are very cute this is definitely NOT a child friendly book!!
About the Authors
R. D. Rosen is the Edgar Award-winning author of Strike Three You’re Dead and other Harvey Blissberg mysteries, plus several nonfiction books.
Harry Prichett has written and performed for the improv comedy group Chicago City Limits, and is the voice you often hear on television and radio commercials.
Rob Battles, who has written and produced for public radio stations and National Public Radio, is a senior vice president for a large, forward-looking media company.
Together, Rosen, Prichett and Battles wrote the bestselling Bad Dog, Bad Baby, Bad President, and (with Jim Edgar) Bad Cat.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”