Portobello Book Blog

Anyone who knows me will be surprised to find me featuring a book about dogs! While I don’t dislike animals, I also am not a huge fan and the most exciting pets we’ve ever had in our house are hamsters or goldfish! However, I was rather intrigued by the idea of poems from a dog’s point of view. 

First of all, what’s the book about?

As engaging as a tail wag

Celebrating the simple things in life as seen through the eyes of our old time favourite furry friends, “As Good as Gold” is a volume of poetry revealing the talent and humour we always knew our dogs possessed.

Dogs are full of questions, yet they are famed sellers of innocence especially when it comes to explaining their mishaps and often foolish effervescence through ponderings such as “Why IS a Cat Not Like a Dog”, “As Brown as Chocolate”, “Silver Stars and Puppy Tail” or, best yet, “Dog or Book?”

A book with an enormous heart for readers of all ages, it includes 35 poems and haiku accompanied by expressive portraits of our canine friends.

My thoughts

This is a sweet collection of poetry which I’m sure any dog lover will enjoy – even this non dog lover! 

I liked the initial set of  poetry told from the perspective of a puppy encountering things for the first time. They depicted exactly how I would imagine a curious young puppy feels,  developing its understanding of world as it begins to investigate its surroundings. It was quite amusing to read its reactions to the moon, a frog, and a hedgehog among other things

I particularly liked the haikus at the end. It’s quite a challenge to write a haiku with its strict rules but the author has managed this beautifully with each a small complete story and still from a puppy’s point of view. 

I must also mention the photos of dogs and puppies throughout the book. They were a lovely selection each one aptly illustrating a poem. 

You can order a copy of the book or find out more about  the author by following these links.

Author Website

Pat’s books on Amazon UK / Amazon US / Amazon Canada

Pat on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest.

I also have a guest post from the author who has written a love letter to coffee – something which fuels many a writer I would imagine!

A Love Letter to Coffee

My beloved, it has only been moments since I’ve left you and… I already miss you!

I will not shy away from my feelings for you! You are my one, true joy in the early hours of the morning. No matter how restless my night has been or how busy my daily schedule is, sharing those special moments with you in the morning, holding you, revelling in your scent and your full body… Oh, nothing can take away the simple pleasure of our time together.

How sweet and understanding you are of my living you behind each morning. You do know that there is no one else for me, but you. I always return to you.

You are so unique, yet your flamboyant personality has me under a spell, I can never get bored with you. 

Others?  Don’t bend your ear to childish gossip. There is only one for me and that one is you.  The others, as you perceive them, are but mere acquaintances. No even a fling, but a brush with cruel, ordinary life. None will ever stand a chance near you, let alone compare itself with you, my beloved. They are. .. so different, so much more less than you will ever be. They do not have your charm, the strength of your core, your unmistakable perfume. They are not you. They can never take your place.

Oh, the way you can change your looks, it never ceases to surprise me! And the heavenly scent of your voluptuous body, always surprising, yet always them same; homely, unique, promising.

You can be hot or cold, I’ll take it; I’ll never turn you down.

My Espresso, my Latte, my Cappuccino, my Americano, my Chococino, my. Macchiato, my Viennois…

With all my love, forever and always yours,

The coffee lover

Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She always carries a notebook and a pen, although at times she jots down her ideas on the back of till slips or types them on her phone.

Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in humorous, child-friendly ideas while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is an exhilarating need to write and… coffee: “How many cups have had this morning?” “None.” “Plus?” “Five cups.”

Between her books you can find the beloved Joyful Trouble, The Cheetah and the Dog, Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles.

She is a Huffington Post contributor and pens the Sunday Column for MyPuppyclub.net as well as dabbing in freelancing. After completing her Medical Degree in Romania she moved to South Africa where she now lives with her husband, children and their dogs.

Catch up with the rest of the tour at the following blogs