Customer Reviews

Dogs

5 star:		(11)
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I first purchased this book because of the beautiful dog portraits, especially the scenes in autumn colors. Then, I read and connected with the story that unfolds, a beloved old dog passes away and the author searches for the right new dog to add to his family. It is not a sad story. There is a sense of humor in many of the sketches which adds to the appeal of the book. Page after page of color pictures show dogs at play, working and in repose. Some dogs depicted are European breeds not seen in the U.S., large dogs, small dogs; my favorites are a flaming Red Setter with windblown coat and an English Setter hunting. It is a great gift book for dog lovers.

I am a crazy dog lady. I admit it. I can't pass a dachshound without stooping to say hi. My husband and I have even been known to park our car down the block so that we can casually stroll down the street and "accidentally" make the acquaintance of a sprightly-looking corgi or retreiver. Pathetic, we are, completely pathetic, but we absolutely don't care.

Anyway-- this is The Pathetic Portland Pooch Lady's favorite dog book ever. You won't believe the illustrations until you see them. It's done like a sketchbook-- dozens of different images all crowding together with occasional splash pages or portraits. On a single page, you might see: a dachshund skeleton next to a wolf skeleton; a dachshund in a snowy landscape bravely facing down a boar; the same dachshund being carried off by the boar; and a light pencil sketch of the dachshund staring at a hedgehog-- "the only game I ever saw him corner," according to Poortvliet.

The book's other great strength is its honesty. It's screamingly funny at times, and of course, some of the pictures are real heart-melters, but there's nothing posed or plastic about it. Poortvliet gets all his laughs, and all his tears, from dedicated and truthful observation, and from mastery the arts of storytelling and illustration.

In other words, buy this book. It's a treasure.

His thumbnail drawings are sometimes very funny and his paintings are wonderful. This is my favorite Poortvliet book. I`ve read it three times and have used it as inspiration for my own artwork. From the old hunting dog lying under his desk, farting, to the elegant wolfhound, he will keep you enchanted. A must for dog lovers.

I love Rien's work...he is best known for the Gnome books, but I much prefer his books on real-life creatures. This book on dogs is a great example of the work a wonderfully talented artist and story-teller. I've never seen it in any other bookstore, and was thrilled to find it here at Amazon.com. What I got in the mail was even more than I had hoped, truly a wonderful book to treasure for years. The lovely oil paintings would be enough to charm most people, but Rien's little comments and stories throughout all his books are what really make them special

This is a wonderful, heart warming story for all dog and animal lovers. The art work is beautiful, worthy of framing. The authors connection with dogs comes through loud and clear as you read the story of losing a fur covered child to finding another companion, not to replace but to continue lifes journey with. Great book for all the right reasons.

The drawings tells you that the author has many wonderful feelings for his models persons, animals and simple living in the countryside. Just great, it even sometimes makes you feel like crying.

I'm an animation artist whose medium is pen and pencil, and for me, Rien Poortvliet is hands down the greatest artist of his kind of the last 50 years, easily. Famous(almost too much so-eclipsing these other, superior and more personal books)for the "Gnomes" series of books of the 1970s, he was a man of amazing talent, terrific humor and also great humanity and sensitivity. Any of his books are worth having; this title, "Dogs" was the first I discovered, and it's also one of the very few easily available at this writing(9/05). Here are studies of many, many breeds of canines rendered in luscious oils, stunningly--but even better is the rest of the book: Poortvliet's own, intimate life experiences with dogs, a kind of illustrated diary done in pen, pencil and watercolor washes--absolutely brilliant. You'll meet and love Rien's dogs as he did, and if you've any interest or care for dogs at all this will likely become your favorite. I'd recommend this over any other coffee table or "art" book for dog lovers(I can't conceive of anyone not savoring this)...and for artists--! Wow. An absolute treasure trove of quick gesture drawings, studies and attitudes of both dogs AND people--as well as any other animal Rien feels like writing about and sketching--and there are plenty of them. This will teach the interested artist more than dozens of "how to" books of painting and drawing techniques could hope to do. Don't hesitiate--order it now.

The art is astohishing (as always with Poortvliet) but the book itself is a warm and sincere approach to the meaning of dogs in our lives. It is not technical or scientific but is a powerful read to dog lovers around the world.

This dog lover has given this book as a gift to other dog lovers many times. The art, humor, and "reality" of living with dogs is spot on!

I was lucky enough to buy this book at a library sale today for one dollar. I can't tell you how wonderful the illustrations are, and when paired with the artist's conversational narrative, it's an amazing book. Breeds of all types are represented, as well as their behavior and the habits of people who do or don't like dogs.