Fur flies. Wind bites. Eyes sting. I taste the air and swallow freedom. I wish the window were down all the way. Roaming, baying, dreaming—all dogs once were wolves. Wild, wary, nipping at the heels of night, gnawing the edges of dawn, feasting on the flesh of our fear: life was cold and hard and lonely. The fires of men called, and dogs answered.
Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog, the family pooch, always makes a great subject for a book. Dogs are loyal, dedicated, well mannered, truly man’s best friend. But anyone who has ever owned and raised a puppy knows that isn’t always so. There’s always a little wild in your hound.
Dogs, like wolves, still have the drive of the pack and demonstrate the need of social interaction with dogs and people. Daily feedings of canned food doesn’t destroy the urge to run down rabbits. Sleeping safely indoors can’t keep him from answering the calls of night. It can be frustrating for the dog living in the world of man.
Luckily, dogs have never been shy about expressing emotions. Your dog will chew your favorite pair of slippers when he’s mad. He’ll wag his tail when he’s happy, and when he’s sad, there’s a slow, mournful sulk. Still, you’ve never truly known what goes on in his mind until now.
Francesco Marciuliano, author of I Could Pee on This, and Other Poems by Cats, brings us I Could Chew on This, and Other Poems by Dogs. Within the heart of every canine, there’s a poet ready to howl. Through the power of poetry, you can experience the wealth of wisdom, the unbreakable bond, and just why dogs keep sniffing, running, and staring.
Your dog is reaching out to you. He wants to show you his world. His desires, his dreams, and just what he thinks of the new kibble. You will come to see why every bark must be answered, why it was necessary to roll in the rotted remains of that woodchuck, and why the neighbor’s cat must be constantly shown where the property line is.
You will learn the true meaning of loyalty. You will feel the optimism and hope a strong breeze can bring, and perhaps come to understand the deep-seated need to sniff every butt. I challenge you to see the world, as he smells it. So read their poems. I double dog dare you…
Canine? Feline? Or do you prefer to decline? Email me at from_my_shelf@yahoo.com and let me know. Miss a past column? If you’re nosing around the internet, just prowl on over to http://frommyshelf.blogspot.com and devour your fill. Make sure to look for Hobo’s new book set in the wilds of Alaska, “Tramp of the North: the adventures of a carnivorous kitten…
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