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Mutts
Darling, I Love You: Poems from the Hearts of Our Glorious Mutts and All Our Animal Friends
A heartwarming collection of short verse celebrating our beloved pets and the wonder of life
Daniel Ladinsky is the internationally acclaimed poet and translator known for his inspired, contemporary versions of works by Hafiz, Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, and poet-saints East and West. Patrick McDonnell is the venerated author, artist, and creator of the beloved MUTTS comic strip. In Darling, I Love You! these two artists have collaborated for the first time to create a delightful, universal collection of sweet, welcome-to-the-moment poems about the essential places animals and wonder hold in our lives and in our hearts, accompanied by line drawings of the illustrious MUTTS characters that readers have come to know and love.
"Pet owners will chuckle knowingly about the way the speakers shift between simple observations and deeper statements . . . that remind us why humans need animals as much as they need us." -- The Washington Post
Daniel Ladinsky is the internationally acclaimed poet and translator known for his inspired, contemporary versions of works by Hafiz, Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, and poet-saints East and West. Patrick McDonnell is the venerated author, artist, and creator of the beloved MUTTS comic strip. In Darling, I Love You! these two artists have collaborated for the first time to create a delightful, universal collection of sweet, welcome-to-the-moment poems about the essential places animals and wonder hold in our lives and in our hearts, accompanied by line drawings of the illustrious MUTTS characters that readers have come to know and love.
"Pet owners will chuckle knowingly about the way the speakers shift between simple observations and deeper statements . . . that remind us why humans need animals as much as they need us." -- The Washington Post
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
6 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 22, 2022
HAPPY POETRY MONTH!
april is national poetry month,
so here come thirty floats!
the cynics here will call this plan
a shameless grab for votes.
and maybe there’s some truth to that—
i do love validation,
but charitably consider it
a rhyme-y celebration.
i don’t intend to flood your feed—
i’ll just post one a day.
endure four weeks of reruns
and then it will be may!
**************************
sean of the house gave me this book as a no-reason midweek present. and while i am a fan and supporter of the practice of unexpected gifts, this was just an okay read. i definitely understand why he got it for me - it's full of cute drawings of dogs and cats accompanied by poems about dogs and cats and the pet-loving experience, which are things all over my wheelhouse, but the poems were just a little greeting card-sweet for my tastes.
i wasn't expecting doom and gloom and heavy themes or anything, but this is a primarily religious/spiritual appreciation of animals, while my own is an appreciation grounded more in the secular "wookit its TUMMY!" way, not "wookit the tummy that god hath wrought."
or, to use an actual example:
they aren't all religious, and it's a mixture of spiritual thought both eastern and western, so it doesn't feel like proselytizing or anything, but a poem that opens with this:
and closes with this:
just isn't to my personal tastes. objectively, the poems themselves are good - this isn't lang leav or anything, and they're all short; many are simple haikus, and each has a cute little drawing to illustrate it.
there were certainly poems i enjoyed as little bonbons of sweetness:
and some were more atmospheric than treacly:
however, there are also some that read like nicholas sparks directing a sarah mclachlan aspca commercial with their clear agenda to poke the tears right outta you
this robot does not respond to such obvious attempts at emotional manipulation.
but i DO respond to poems that are about specific elements of the pet-loving lifestyle.
i have done this:
and this:
and even before maggie was diagnosed with stupid cancer, i have lived by this code:
and the similarly-themed:
even though she is not an especial fan of kisses or cuddles or attention in general i must enforce my rights as food-giver.
it's a good collection, if you are a little more sentimental than me. (which is most people - my emotional detachment is pretty well-developed, unfortunately) and the pictures are pretty darn cute:
it's just a series of sweet and simple thoughts that i can relate to in my own experiences, but as poetry, they don't move me beyond a brief burst of recognition that doesn't stick to my ribs.
i am much more responsive to cat butt.
come to my blog!
april is national poetry month,
so here come thirty floats!
the cynics here will call this plan
a shameless grab for votes.
and maybe there’s some truth to that—
i do love validation,
but charitably consider it
a rhyme-y celebration.
i don’t intend to flood your feed—
i’ll just post one a day.
endure four weeks of reruns
and then it will be may!
**************************
sean of the house gave me this book as a no-reason midweek present. and while i am a fan and supporter of the practice of unexpected gifts, this was just an okay read. i definitely understand why he got it for me - it's full of cute drawings of dogs and cats accompanied by poems about dogs and cats and the pet-loving experience, which are things all over my wheelhouse, but the poems were just a little greeting card-sweet for my tastes.
i wasn't expecting doom and gloom and heavy themes or anything, but this is a primarily religious/spiritual appreciation of animals, while my own is an appreciation grounded more in the secular "wookit its TUMMY!" way, not "wookit the tummy that god hath wrought."
or, to use an actual example:
they aren't all religious, and it's a mixture of spiritual thought both eastern and western, so it doesn't feel like proselytizing or anything, but a poem that opens with this:
and closes with this:
just isn't to my personal tastes. objectively, the poems themselves are good - this isn't lang leav or anything, and they're all short; many are simple haikus, and each has a cute little drawing to illustrate it.
there were certainly poems i enjoyed as little bonbons of sweetness:
and some were more atmospheric than treacly:
however, there are also some that read like nicholas sparks directing a sarah mclachlan aspca commercial with their clear agenda to poke the tears right outta you
this robot does not respond to such obvious attempts at emotional manipulation.
but i DO respond to poems that are about specific elements of the pet-loving lifestyle.
i have done this:
and this:
and even before maggie was diagnosed with stupid cancer, i have lived by this code:
and the similarly-themed:
even though she is not an especial fan of kisses or cuddles or attention in general i must enforce my rights as food-giver.
it's a good collection, if you are a little more sentimental than me. (which is most people - my emotional detachment is pretty well-developed, unfortunately) and the pictures are pretty darn cute:
it's just a series of sweet and simple thoughts that i can relate to in my own experiences, but as poetry, they don't move me beyond a brief burst of recognition that doesn't stick to my ribs.
i am much more responsive to cat butt.
come to my blog!
November 7, 2022
Hard to rate a book at times. Did I like the book? Yes. Did I like the poems a lot? Well, they were pretty simple but nice. Did I like the little cartoon drawings by Patrick McDonnell a lot? Actually, I think a lot. When you put the two of them together, the words and drawings work very well.
The words in the poems are simple, someone looking for deep thoughts maybe look somewhere else. I find it amazing how good words are powerful even if you don’t have a lot of other words going with it. I only need to think of some of my favorite words I like; tea, bookcases, dogs, and they make me feel something good. In this book the poems are about love, and dogs, and cats, and the moon. The poems and pictures in the book are happy little things that create the desired effect. I will add a couple of them to my review here, but without the drawings, I think you may only feel like 30 percent of it.
one of the top ten things in a dog’s life: fetch
if it wasn’t
for fetch i would
never be
(next page)
the wonderful
being
I am
the park
the dog park,
the dog park,
the glorious dog park…
(next page)
need
anyone ever, ever & ever
say more
fully at play
love
is all beings
being
fully at play
with no dogcatchers
around
tattooed
a rainbow
tattooed itself
to a trout
The words in the poems are simple, someone looking for deep thoughts maybe look somewhere else. I find it amazing how good words are powerful even if you don’t have a lot of other words going with it. I only need to think of some of my favorite words I like; tea, bookcases, dogs, and they make me feel something good. In this book the poems are about love, and dogs, and cats, and the moon. The poems and pictures in the book are happy little things that create the desired effect. I will add a couple of them to my review here, but without the drawings, I think you may only feel like 30 percent of it.
one of the top ten things in a dog’s life: fetch
if it wasn’t
for fetch i would
never be
(next page)
the wonderful
being
I am
the park
the dog park,
the dog park,
the glorious dog park…
(next page)
need
anyone ever, ever & ever
say more
fully at play
love
is all beings
being
fully at play
with no dogcatchers
around
tattooed
a rainbow
tattooed itself
to a trout
January 4, 2017
Mutts and poems are joined
Wonderfully sweet haiku
with precious art work
Wonderfully sweet haiku
with precious art work
September 7, 2020
My heart!!!
February 17, 2017
21st book read in 2017.
Number 377 out of 586 on my all time book list.
Number 377 out of 586 on my all time book list.
November 24, 2019
magic
sometimes
i wonder if i
am magic...
seeing how those
who touch me start
to smile
who can you tell in this world
that when a dog runs up to you
wagging its ecstatic tail,
you lean dow and whisper in its ear,
"Beloved,
i am so glad You are happy to see me.
Beloved
so very glad You have come."
she phoned saying
she phoned saying,
"i will
be over in a
minute,"
but the sweet
snail
was just figuratively
speaking
of
course
going so fast
i wonder
where everyone
is going so fast...
and then
once
there...
probably still
feel anxious about
something
the sky
the sky is
a suspended
blue ocean
and the stars
are the fish that
swim
love lifts
love
lifts the corners
of the mouth
fun
have fun, my dear,
my dear, have
fun
while together
while together
let us say something
that warms us
simple things
it's the simple things
that never get old
give his ears a rub
wherever you are...
give God's furry ears
a rub
does every creature have a soul?
surely they do;
for anything God has touched
will have life
forever,
an all creatures He
has held.
sometimes
i wonder if i
am magic...
seeing how those
who touch me start
to smile
who can you tell in this world
that when a dog runs up to you
wagging its ecstatic tail,
you lean dow and whisper in its ear,
"Beloved,
i am so glad You are happy to see me.
Beloved
so very glad You have come."
she phoned saying
she phoned saying,
"i will
be over in a
minute,"
but the sweet
snail
was just figuratively
speaking
of
course
going so fast
i wonder
where everyone
is going so fast...
and then
once
there...
probably still
feel anxious about
something
the sky
the sky is
a suspended
blue ocean
and the stars
are the fish that
swim
love lifts
love
lifts the corners
of the mouth
fun
have fun, my dear,
my dear, have
fun
while together
while together
let us say something
that warms us
simple things
it's the simple things
that never get old
give his ears a rub
wherever you are...
give God's furry ears
a rub
does every creature have a soul?
surely they do;
for anything God has touched
will have life
forever,
an all creatures He
has held.
July 10, 2017
After falling in love with Daniel Ladinsky's translations of Hafiz's poetry, and being "dog people", my husband and I selected this as our next poetry-before-bed book. It did not disappoint. Ladinsky's simple and profound way of bringing the divine into the everyday and relating that to our beloved pets was so sweet and meaningful. These poems just make us smile and feel warm and fuzzy inside and totally in love with each other, our dog and the world. When the simplest of words bring so much joy, you know you have found a master poet.
December 12, 2017
What a charmer! If you love Patrick McDonnell, this delightful little book will warm and cheer you, even as it comforts you and catches at your heart. All of his Mutts characters are here, illustrating Daniel Ladinsky's deceptively simple poems. It was a kind and lovely bedtime antidote to difficult days in real life, reminding us to be aware of every minute...just as animals are. I loved it, loved it, LOVED every moment of this book!
March 31, 2017
A lovely, lovely simple book of poems and drawings featuring the animals from the comic strip Mutts. Thoughtful and touching. You could do a lot worse than this book if you want to celebrate National Poetry Month in April.
acting afraid
you were acting
afraid in a dream so
i kissed you awake
acting afraid
you were acting
afraid in a dream so
i kissed you awake
July 17, 2017
My mom gave me this as a surprise gift because I love my dog so much and I call my dog Dakota Darling! I really enjoyed it because I could see my dog and mom's love through many of the poems! I truly enjoyed it!
August 10, 2017
https://worncorners.com/2017/08/10/da...
This book is soulfully addictive. More in my blog.
This book is soulfully addictive. More in my blog.
February 1, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This book is adorable. I loved it. The poems were short, but meaningful and the illustrations were too cute!! I love te catoon Mutts and this book helped confirm this. So glad I won this book.
July 9, 2017
This book was the cutest book of animal poetry!! I love the comic strip MUTTS already so the art pieces already delighted me, but I had quite a few of the poems that really spoke to me as well. Definitely recommend to any animal lover, especially dogs!
July 31, 2017
I must for animal lovers, especially dog and cat lovers. I adored this wonderfully illustrated, gentle and kind book of poems. James Herriot would have loved it!
February 15, 2018
This is a lovely collaboration between Daniel Ladinsky and Patrick McDonnell. A heartwarming, and charming book of short verse and Mutts illustrations that will indeed leave a smile on your face.
February 26, 2022
I will admit to you that I came at this collection with a tiny bit of a bad attitude. Poetry? I thought. I have a love/hate relationship with poetry: it can be so perfect, but it can also be… a chore to read at times. But, it was a gift, so I made sure to read it. Thankfully, this collection was not a chore whatsoever.
I think the pet theme and the illustrations both helped set me in a more receptive mood. What else helped? These poems are short. Very few of them are longer than a page and most pages have more whitespace than words and illustrations.
I also appreciated how positive the poems are. While there is a time for wrestling with emotions, it can also be nice to just relax and enjoy the best of what life has to offer.
If you've ever loved a pet and if you've ever loved a poem, I think you'll really enjoy this slim little book!
I think the pet theme and the illustrations both helped set me in a more receptive mood. What else helped? These poems are short. Very few of them are longer than a page and most pages have more whitespace than words and illustrations.
I also appreciated how positive the poems are. While there is a time for wrestling with emotions, it can also be nice to just relax and enjoy the best of what life has to offer.
If you've ever loved a pet and if you've ever loved a poem, I think you'll really enjoy this slim little book!
September 13, 2023
Very cute! I enjoyed the illustrations. I wish it was longer!
My favorites:
“without question”
great thing sometimes
are done in this world
without question
or
hesitation,
like
me jumping
into your
lap
—
“going so fast”
i wonder
where everyone
is going so fast…
and then
once
there…
probably still
feel anxious about
something
—
“love lifts”
love
lifts the corner
of the mouth
—
These cracked me up:
“tears”
i have been
moved to tears
thinking
about
a chew
toy
—
“sit”
i could sit too
if you asked sweetly
and offered
a
glazed
donut
(this one made me laugh)
My favorites:
“without question”
great thing sometimes
are done in this world
without question
or
hesitation,
like
me jumping
into your
lap
—
“going so fast”
i wonder
where everyone
is going so fast…
and then
once
there…
probably still
feel anxious about
something
—
“love lifts”
love
lifts the corner
of the mouth
—
These cracked me up:
“tears”
i have been
moved to tears
thinking
about
a chew
toy
—
“sit”
i could sit too
if you asked sweetly
and offered
a
glazed
donut
(this one made me laugh)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
A quote by the illustrator Patrick McDonnell from the beginning of the book "Let these poems curl up on your lap and soothe your heart." . And oh yes, that is what happened to me. Touching, lovely poems. The illustrations are perfect companions for the poetry. Simple, sweet, encouraging. If you love animals (especially cats and dogs) and need a few "awwww" moments, this little volume is just the thing.
September 14, 2017
This was an adorable read. I actually just read it straight through because I was so engaged. I would like to go back again and take time to appreciate each poem. The illustrations are perfectly matched to the poetry and many of these are so fitting for our furry friends. I am not a big poetry person, but I wanted more. My only critique is that the poems were so very short. I would have loved to read more.
August 29, 2018
A small book of lovely poems with happy drawings. I loved it. It’s the love between animals and humans. Some are simply nature based. Some have strong religious tones...but generic religious.
You can read through it in no time and I suspect find at least one poem that you will want to keep on a slip of paper with you at all times.
If you don’t like poetry or any sentimentality, then stay away. You will be exasperated.
You can read through it in no time and I suspect find at least one poem that you will want to keep on a slip of paper with you at all times.
If you don’t like poetry or any sentimentality, then stay away. You will be exasperated.
June 7, 2017
Incredibly sweet collection of poems written by Ladinsky and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (creator of the comic strip, Mutts). The poems are more-or-less from the point of view of an animal, though many could be construed as parent to child. McDonnell's illustrations complement the poems, making this a delight to read and review.
November 9, 2019
This small book is perfection! The short poems are touching and profound. ( The title poem is my favorite!) The sweet illustrations by Patrick McDonnell help make this book a treasure. This would make a perfect small gift. In fact, I would love it if someone gave me a copy, even though I just read it! ( Library copy) I can see myself picking this up again and again!
January 2, 2020
I started my 2020 reading with this book of beautiful poetry and illustrations. This book touches on so many profound truths. I liked every poem. I cannot pick a favorite. Though the poems can stand on their own, the illustrations infinitely to each poem. I’m grateful to all who had a hand in this work. I highly recommend getting a copy to savor.
December 26, 2017
Honestly, I bought this because of the Patrick McDonnell illustrations! I love his work. However, I'm pleased to say that the poetry was also quite lovely! It was sweet, and funny, and I really enjoyed the whole package.
December 27, 2017
I loved this little book! A friend hand-delivered it to my mailbox right before Christmas with a note about how she knew what an animal lover I was & thought I needed a boost. This is exactly that kind of book. I smiled on every page & my pets got kisses when I finished!
December 21, 2018
What a sweet book with fabulous illustrations! A friend suggested it when she heard I was writing a book that included my dog. It warmed my heart and made me laugh. This would make the perfect gift for any friend but especially for the animal lovers in your life.
March 25, 2022
Daniel and Patrick make a great team (and they have a tremendous supporting cast!
Gentle , warm, humor abounds here. So insightful! Wise are our animal friends. The haiku-like verses and the simple sketches filled with deep meaning perfectly blend.
Gentle , warm, humor abounds here. So insightful! Wise are our animal friends. The haiku-like verses and the simple sketches filled with deep meaning perfectly blend.
September 10, 2022
This book is very cute and simple. I love poems and this is a perfect book full of them. Animals are another thing I adore and I believe that this book paints this idea beautifully. I think animal lovers and poem enthusiasts alike should read this book, plus is short so it’s easy to be through.
February 18, 2017
Charming and poignant.
June 5, 2017
Sweet poems by/from Landinsky matched by sweet artwork by Patrick McDonnell, who creates the Mutts comic strip.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews