Details, reviews and extracts from Gill's first book "Polly and Friends"
A celebration of dogs and dog life.
"Polly and Friends" is a collection of poems, chat and comments about dogs and dog life, mainly from the dog's point of view. If you have a dog you will soon be nodding as you recognise your own dog in these pages; humourous, thought provoking and often moving, you will move through the sections and finally come to the end knowing what your dog thinks - some of the time! A word of warning though - I guarantee that you will not read the final section, on goodbyes, without reaching for the paper hankies. Full colour photos throughout.
EXTRACTS
FASHION VICTIMS
I really can't imagine why
It's become the thing, I cannot lie
To dress us up in human gear
Dresses, tops and worse, I fear
We all have the perfect coat
I’m not sure that all owners note
That should be enough for dogs
Without the need for fancy togs.
Trendy magazines, all ads
For the latest money making fads
Show “celebs” in careful poses
With dogs dressed up just showing noses
Designer gear, from what I see
But how do they manage to, well, pee?
Some think it makes the dog look cute
For me it’s just one long big hoot
My beloved owner thinks it’s rash
To part with large amounts of cash
To dress me up like a hairy dolly
I’m glad, it seems to be a folly
To alter what nature gave to me
It does the job just right you see!
My coat is clean and always shines
Much better than any designer lines.
And if I find a dog in clothing
I treat it with such scorn and loathing
I’ll grin, and make it feel the pits
Although I can see the eyes are slits
With rays of malice between each blink
Shall I tell it what I really think?
But no, it’s already doomed and hated
And my dear! What it’s wearing is oh so dated!
But as I age it’s becoming clear
I feel the cold with winter near
Some days when rain is cold and lashing
And the wind is giving me a bashing
Then I’d be glad to be well covered
As long as I’m not completely smothered
Something waterproof, flashy and red
….Now I’ll have to eat the words I’ve said!
Extract from "There's Something I Need To Tell You"
"A breeder who already had five permanent residents had a litter in which there was one boy who caught her eye. The husband had manfully accepted the increasing numbers without too much complaint but the breeder was convinced that with the possibility of number six, he would crack under the strain especially when all were loose when he was trying to watch tv; after all, there’s only so much room on a three piece suite. Nothing much was said until nearly all the other puppies had gone, then the breeder muttered about “running him on” until the summer which fell on unenlightened ears. The husband emerged from the lounge the next day with a grinning, triumphant puppy in his arms, and announced “this one likes me” ...... “funny you should say that”, announced his wife who owned up at last."
REVIEWS AND COMMENTS
Extracts from an appraisal of "Polly and Friends" by Carroll Weiss (Florida), international award winning writer and long time editor and dog lover:
"...impressive in terms of full-color images all generously published at how pictures should be...large, large, large including some on an entire page by themselves. Your choice of images in terms of their pictorial content is wonderful. There's not a single image which will fail to bring insightful smiles and laughter to readers......
"Immortal" with Polly's photo being the last in the book, found me with tears streaming down my cheeks. Conversely, I joyfully and knowingly nodded my head when reading "Three in a Bed" (I once went to an annual Dal Club of America show without exhibiting, so without dogs for the week. After the first night of insomnia, I realized sleeping without dogs was the culprit and went around searching for a philanthropic owner who'd lend me one of their Dals for nighttimes.) "Nail Tale" was very meaningful as I'm certain it is for all readers (both of my current Dals mandate ME being tranquilized when trimming is due!)
My congratulations on creating a splendid book which so eloquently reveals your multi talent as an author, as a poet and your gift of sharing the loving and caring for your dogs"
COMMENTS FROM READERS
I have to say it is absolutely fantastic. Brilliantly put together, the photos are fab and the roll of honour at the back, of our tributes to our lost ones made me cry
Becky Smith,
… outstandingly brilliant, with a rare touch of genius…… dog owners … will feel compelled to have this… as part of their library
Joan Richardson, Worksop
Definitely something you could buy as a gift for any dog lover whether new or old - if you’re new things will ring true as the days and years progress if you're old hat things will jump out at you. I also like how there is a small educational element to it too - which makes it great for newbies.
Webmaster, Dogsey.com
I'm hooked already and I have only just started it. Your poems are lovely, I have a box of tissues next to me as I can feel my heart strings pulling as I read some of your poems.
Paige Lumpkin,
A perfect balance, this is about every dog and for every lucky dog owner. It should be read first by anyone about to choose their first ever dog as it embraces everything they should strive to offer - and to avoid - for the dogs who will give everything of themselves to their human companion.
Patch Guipago,
I read the book in 2 hours, I just couldn’t put it down! It definitely puts you through the motions, I was laughing one minute and then crying the next!
Emma Brackenridge, Dudley
Finished it for the second time now and in a word BRILLIANT thank you so much for all the pleasure I got from reading it. Laughing and crying intermittemtly.. ... I shall treasure it always.
Eunice Anderson,
PRESS REVIEWS
Quotes from press reviews of "Polly and Friends"
"Ireland's Own" magazine - October 2007
"does exactly what it says on the tin..... a lovely selection of pictures...... she (Gill) deals with the joys of dog ownership but does not shy away from the heartache and sadness of losing them..."
Longford Leader newspaper - 8th December 2007
"a wonderful new book..... beautiful collection of poetry..... photos donated by real dog owners with their loyal pets and pictures of Gill's stunning Dalmatians..... don't miss out on the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique Christmas present....
(Reporter Ailbhe Gillespie, copyright Longford Leader)
Photos to follow!
AND FINALLY.. FOR NOW.....
Here's a little story about the making of the book. I say a story, but it is absolutely true. Early summer 2007, the weather had been remarkably warm and sunny so I was working in the evenings. One Saturday night I finished "Polly and Friends" with a sense of tremendous relief and satisfaction and went to bed. My two dogs Deccy and Polo were already asleep and I dozed off in minutes. Sunday morning dawned, and I got up to let the boys out into the garden while I went to put the kettle on. A few minutes later, I opened the door to let the dogs back in. It was another glorious day with the sun beating down. Deccy had disappeared into the bushes as usual, but Polo was standing just outside the door, wagging his tail slowing and uncertainly, with a worried look on his face. He was clearly uncomfortable. Then I noticed that behind him, and mainly out of sight, was another Dalmatian. Black spotted. (Deccy is liver spotted). With a sense of complete disbelief, I stepped out further to see more, and there was Polly! She looked up at me in her usual way, tail wagging, I could see every hair on her head and every whisker. Then everything went black.
I woke up for real a few hours later but the dream had been so realistic I had great trouble accepting that it was a dream... but Polly had been dead for 10 months! I feel now that she had "appeared" to give her approval to the book, to say, "it's done, it's good... I approve"
"Polly and Friends" is published by Choice Publishing, Drogheda, Co Louth, Ireland but CAN ALSO BE ORDERED DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR via this site with FREE postage and packing worldwide.
See "how to order" page for full details.