Random House Books for Young Readers Dog Songs: Poems

If you know someone who is inconsolable over the loss of their dog, or someone who just plain loves their dog, this is the present to buy them - even if they are the least poetic, dour Scotsman or unromantic Yorkshireman.I'm a Philistine - I'd never heard of Mary Oliver until I read a review of this book. I rarely read poetry. However, I do have a dog, my first ever, and I'm amazed at how he has opened my eyes to nature, to happiness, and to the friendliness of other people and dogs (not to mention sheep, cows, horses, alpacas and geese). I wish I knew what he was scenting when he's out on the moors and why he insists on lying in the coldest, frostiest patch of grass when the wind is blowing me over. The poems in this book go a little way to explaining what goes on in a dog's mind, and a good way into explaining why dogs mean so much to dog lovers.

I'm sorry, I love Mary Oliver's work and I love her too, but I was disappointed with this book, so much so that I gave it away a few days after receiving it. I was beguiled by the cover; it's a beautifully presented book with lovely illustrations but her writings aren't satisfying. Mary's Dog Songs are more prose than poetry, with some essays; comments and observations. It's not that I was expecting or wanting poetry, I just didn't find any of it particularly inspiring or any different from anything that anyone else may have written about dogs. I'm a huge dog fan; my dogs are the greatest joy in my life, and I'm also a fan of poetry and good literature, which is why I bought this book, but I feel it as a let down. Sorry Mary.

I love this collection about so many dogs that Mary Oliver owned in her lifetime, including friends' dogs. It made me nostalgic about my dog when I was little. It's easy to imagine the dogs and the personalities - a great book for dog lovers.

the book is slightly damaged. There is an indentation in the cover which runs through to the back cover,as if it had been held too tightly in the grip of some kind of machine.The text itself is not affected, but it is disappointing as I bought it as a gift for someone, and would have liked it in pristine condition.

A collection of beautiful verse about her love of dogs. It is sentimental, but in a heartfelt way...even if poetry isnt your thing, but you love a dog, this will touch you