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Dear Clementina
“I was starting to doubt that I’d ever enjoy canine company again, and you being a twelve-week old Border Terrier pup like me made our meeting especially good.”
A chance meeting between two twelve-week-old puppies in a Manchester park leads to a series of letters from young Stanley to his new friend Clementina. Based on true events viewed through canine eyes, this work is a collection of that correspondence, and reflects upon the quirky world of humans, dogs and the interaction between the two.
With a comic perception that is perhaps only afforded to innocent observers, each letter stands alone as a testimony to Stanley’s efforts to comprehend the mysteries of life that confront young pups in their carefree progress throughout their first year. From human vanity to intrusive vets to pesky cats, from basic bodily functions to the high-blown appreciation of modern art, Stanley keeps Clementina in the picture as he steers his way relentlessly, if not always smoothly, through the challenges that life throws at him, culminating in his first birthday party.
In this deliciously humorous work, wittily illustrated by W.H. Mather, readers will delight not only in recognising their own pets, but also themselves and their fellow dog walkers. But you don’t have to be a dog-owner to appreciate Stanley’s letters as their comedy will appeal to everybody. And anybody contemplating getting a puppy should take advantage of Stanley’s wit and insight to help them in taking that fateful step of joining the ranks of the dog-owning fraternity. Pick up Stanley’s narrative and immerse yourself in the humorous, blossoming friendship of two adorable Border Terrier puppies!
A chance meeting between two twelve-week-old puppies in a Manchester park leads to a series of letters from young Stanley to his new friend Clementina. Based on true events viewed through canine eyes, this work is a collection of that correspondence, and reflects upon the quirky world of humans, dogs and the interaction between the two.
With a comic perception that is perhaps only afforded to innocent observers, each letter stands alone as a testimony to Stanley’s efforts to comprehend the mysteries of life that confront young pups in their carefree progress throughout their first year. From human vanity to intrusive vets to pesky cats, from basic bodily functions to the high-blown appreciation of modern art, Stanley keeps Clementina in the picture as he steers his way relentlessly, if not always smoothly, through the challenges that life throws at him, culminating in his first birthday party.
In this deliciously humorous work, wittily illustrated by W.H. Mather, readers will delight not only in recognising their own pets, but also themselves and their fellow dog walkers. But you don’t have to be a dog-owner to appreciate Stanley’s letters as their comedy will appeal to everybody. And anybody contemplating getting a puppy should take advantage of Stanley’s wit and insight to help them in taking that fateful step of joining the ranks of the dog-owning fraternity. Pick up Stanley’s narrative and immerse yourself in the humorous, blossoming friendship of two adorable Border Terrier puppies!
88 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2015
About the author
Colin Burke
1 book1 followerColin Burke was born in Wallasey on Merseyside but for forty years has lived in Manchester. In the 1970s he was seduced away from a fledgling academic career to embark on a life in business administration, where he has been ever since. This is his first foray into the world of fiction writing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 19, 2015
This book was super cute. While I received my ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I really believe that this is a book better read in actual form. Stanley is a 12 week old Border Terrier puppy who documents his first year with his new parents through letters to his pup pal, Clementina. Stanley's take on life is sometimes downright hilarious. He has some interesting views on the other dogs at the dog park, his retired owners pub crawls with his friends, hiking, going to the vet and stripping - yes, stripping. Stanley gets in a few predicaments and practically scares his grandmother to death with a toy alligator. Anyone who has raised a puppy will love seeing puppyhood from this pup's point of view.
November 23, 2015
Note: This ARC was provided by Troubadour in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Clementina was a lighthearted and creative way to tell the tale of Stanley Burke, a Border Terrier puppy living in Manchester, England. The letters he sends Clementina, a fellow Border Terrier pup, detail his various (mis)adventures and he does come off as quite a cheeky dog! One can't help but smile when they read Stanley's letters as he regales Clementina (and the rest of us) with his tales. His story told through letters is creative and endears him more to readers. Four stars! ♥
Dear Clementina was a lighthearted and creative way to tell the tale of Stanley Burke, a Border Terrier puppy living in Manchester, England. The letters he sends Clementina, a fellow Border Terrier pup, detail his various (mis)adventures and he does come off as quite a cheeky dog! One can't help but smile when they read Stanley's letters as he regales Clementina (and the rest of us) with his tales. His story told through letters is creative and endears him more to readers. Four stars! ♥
June 19, 2020
A great little read. Well...re-read. I first came across this book when I was getting my own Border Terrier and for some reason thought this book was a solid bit of research :)
October 29, 2015
I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Stanley (a puppy) writes letters to his friend Clementina detailing the oddities of human interaction from a dog's point of view. It was fun to read about our normal everyday activities as seen through the eyes of a dog. This was a light, entertaining read that could easily be read in spare moments throughout the day to make me smile.
Stanley (a puppy) writes letters to his friend Clementina detailing the oddities of human interaction from a dog's point of view. It was fun to read about our normal everyday activities as seen through the eyes of a dog. This was a light, entertaining read that could easily be read in spare moments throughout the day to make me smile.
November 9, 2015
Dear Clementina is an adorable book about a young pup named Stanley. He makes a new friend, at the park, Clementina, and when they can't meet up, he writes letters to her about what's been going on in his life. Colin Burke obviously loves dogs and brings a unique insight to the way dogs think. If you are a dog or animal lover this is definitely the book for you! Pick it up, it's a quick read and quite lovely.
June 4, 2020
Having read the synopsis I was really looking forward to this book and was expecting a lot of laughs, but sadly I only found it mildly amusing. A book written from a puppy's point of view promised much more than it delivered.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews