If Only You Knew How Much I Smell You: True Portraits of Dogs [Paperback]

Valerie Shaff (Author), Roy Blount (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 2003

A delight for dog lovers and, until dogs learn to talk, the best way to remember that the "inner dog" is probably much like the outer one, this winning collection teams up dog portraits and humorous verse to offer an honest, original, and hilarious portrayal of what dogs really "think." 50 duotone illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Who hasn't put words into their mutt's mouth? From "yes, the chicken-flavored treats are my favorite," to "no, I'm not quite ready for my bath," all dog devotees are guilty as charged--although not all do it in such a hilarious and endearing manner as writer Roy Blount Jr. and photographer Valerie Shaff in If Only You Knew How Much I Smell You: True Portraits of Dogs. Blount, humorist and author of Be Sweet, brings us closer to "understanding the 'inner dog'" through his use of Doggerel, a uniquely Blount brand of verse with the "canine measure somewhere between ordered and free." The effect of this puppy poetry--when paired with Shaff's truly remarkable duotone photographs of mixed and pure breeds--is comic genius. A Boxer coyly stares into the camera wondering, "What does that mean, 'expensive shoe'? / I ate it because it smelled like you," while a chubby-tummied bulldog declares "Good stick. / Got a good stick. / A real / good / Stick. / Getting all the good / Out of this good / Stick / That's in / This / good / Stick." You'll never be able to resist this entertaining and affectionate look at our canine friends as "they ponder the confusions, certainties, pangs, and pleasures of a dog's life." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Man's best friend, but what exactly goes through a dog's mind when he looks at us? Photographer Valerie Shaff and American humourist Roy Blount Jr. have joined forces to produce a book every dog lover should have. From the pertinent to the poignant, the farcical to the fancy, terriers, hounds and everything in-between are impeccably captured on film and in word. In play or portrait, Shaff's snapshots capture the marvellous range of looks that can cross our canine friend's faces while Blount succinctly encapsulates the dogs mind from simple two liners to longer verse. A must for all dog fans, with humorous and in some cases hilarious slants on their emotions as seen by humans. And anyway, who can resist that longing look emanating from the book jacket? - Lucy Watson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (April 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821228307
• ISBN-13: 978-0821228302
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.3 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woof, woof! (Human translation: "Great book!"), March 28, 2000

By 

Scott (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew How Much I Smell You: True Portraits of Dogs (Hardcover)

Dogs are said to be Man's Best Friend -- and with this book, it's easy to see why! The many moods and faces of dogs (ranging from comical, to cuddly, to downright cute) are chronicled in gorgeous sepia-toned photographs by Valerie Shaff. While Wegman dresses up his Weimaraners to elicit "human comedy gone to the dogs", Shaff shows the true nature of the beast through poignant and heartwarming pictures that allow the personalities of the dogs to really shine through. Each photo is

accompanied by incisively witty text by Roy Blount, one of America's best-known humourists. Whether you're a dog owner or not, this book will bring a smile to your face (and if it doesn't...well, then, you probably just haven't met the right dog yet!)

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funny and touching, November 27, 2000

By 

A. Kelly "kelly4059" (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew How Much I Smell You: True Portraits of Dogs (Hardcover)

This is a great gift-book idea, if you can manage to actually give it away. The photos are wonderfully done, featuring both "action" shots and natural, endearing portraits. These are real dogs, not models--no dangerously thin Italian greyhounds lounging on marble terraces here--and Shaff catches all their moods, movements, and expressions.

The accompanying poetry by Roy Blount is a delight as well. As others reviewers have pointed out, this isn't puppy-wuppy talk, but witty, funny, and perfectly suited to the photographs. I thought several times as I was reading that Blount must be a life-long dog owner. He knows those looks and what's going to happen next.

Altogether, a truly light-hearted book well worth having.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pics...even better captions..., December 7, 2000

By 

goodoldmac "goodoldmac" (Charlotte, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew How Much I Smell You: True Portraits of Dogs (Hardcover)

Each page of this delightful book has a smile, if not an outright laugh...Pictures of various dogs, both mixed and pure-breeds in various typical "doggie acts" with the captions depicting the dog's "thoughts" on the matter... A small dog looks sadly toward the camera with " I don't understand how you can be so smitten, you have me, yet you pet that kitten."... The photos are excellent, both posed and "action" shots. No dog lover should be without this book