📖 Ten Poems about Dogs from Candlestick Press

Candlestick Press
First published 2011
Reissued October 2025

My thanks to Candlestick Press for my copy of this pamphlet

The dogs that sniff and scamper their way through the pages of this mini-anthology are of all shapes and sizes. There are hairy dogs, wonky dogs, corgis and pugs. There’s a puppy that loves to swim in the sea and a dog that barks all day until its owners come home again.

We can’t help loving dogs, even when their mischief exasperates us. In one poem, we hear a dog describing its unsociable antics in a voice that’s humorously confident of its owner’s unconditional love:

“I know you love me. Oh yes you do!
Just look at my big brown eyes gazing at you.”

from ‘Corgi’ by Carole Bromley

The poems celebrate the mild mayhem that owning a dog brings, as well as the many moments of fun, companionship and joy. They demonstrate that dogs are indeed “a miniature illumination” in our human lives.

Poems by Herbert Asquith, Carole Bromley, Jeanette Burton, Jane Burn, Billy Collins, Jeanette Dubrow, Vince Foxall, Caleb Parkin, Siegfried Sassoon and Stevie Smith.

Cover illustration by Sam Cannon

Donation to Dogs Trust

📖 My Review

Those who know me know that I have an abiding love for cats rather than dogs and I have to admit to being rather scared of our canine friends especially when they come scampering towards me. However, I know just how comforting a pet companion can be and fully appreciate that dog lovers will be enamoured of this fine collection of poems which celebrate all things canine.

The cover is so appealing that you can’t help but be charmed by the content and smile at some of the mischievous antics of the dogs who show such character and joie de vivre whilst at the same time being aware of the strength of the relationship between dogs and their owners.

I particularly enjoyed the togetherness of :

“Who’s this - alone with stone and sky?

It’s only my old dog and I -

It’s only him, it’s only me;

Alone with stone and grass and tree”

From Man and Dog by Siegfried Sassoon

And the intuitiveness of dogs in this lovely poem:

“They know, most days, that the world is too confusing a place.

They know that you are prone to hiding away. They know

that without them, you probably wouldn’t go out”

From Why all dogs are Kind by Jane Burn

The ten poems which make up this lovely collection will appeal to all those who love animals and will be of particular interest to anyone who has a canine companion. I found much to enjoy and whilst browsing the poems I realised just how much our furry friends mean to us and to our mental well being. Ten Poems about Dogs is the perfect gift instead of a card for anyone who has a special dog companion in their lives.

About the Publisher 

Candlestick Press is a small, independent press publishing sumptuously produced poetry pamphlets that serve as a wonderful alternative to a greetings card, with matching envelopes and bookmarks left blank for your message. Their subjects include Mountains, Clouds, Walking, Birds, Wine and Happiness. Candlestick Press pamphlets are stocked by chain and independent bookshops, galleries and garden centres nationwide and available to order online.

Twitter/X @poetrycandle 

Blue Sky @candlestickpress.bsky.social

Website