I seem to have been reading faster than usual as I have two wonderful books read and reviewed this week. I decided to share them at the same time rather than holding one back for next week.
Doggerel: Life with the Small Dog by Sue Vincent
What Amazon says
The relationship between Ani, the inimitable Small Dog and her two-legs, first came to light in ‘Notes from a Small Dog: Four Legs on Two’. Their poetic adventures continued in ‘Laughter Lines: Life from the Tail End’. In this new collection of poems, their daily life together takes centre stage. From the perfidy of humans who insist on bathing dogs, to the unpunctuality of writers at mealtimes, the relationship between two legs and four is explored in verse. The Small Dog reveals her continuing fascination with chicken, tennis balls and the compulsion to re-write Shakespeare, while exposing her two legs’ misdemeanours to the world.
My review
Ani, or the Small Dog, as she is referred to in this delightful collection of poetry, is a rescue dog whose mother and father were found living together in an Irish field, awaiting the birth of their litter of puppies. Ani’s two legs is named Sue Vincent and she is a Yorkshire born writer, a teacher and a director of The Silent Eye. Both Ani and Sue write highly entertaining blogs.
So what is life like for a Small Dog who blogs and writes poetry, living with another writer who is obsessed with bathing her? Ani tells us all about her life with Sue in a collection of hilarious and poignant poems, largely written in rhyming verse
Well, to start of with, Ani makes it quite clear she does not enjoy being tricked into bathing:
“I got them back on exit
When I shook my dripping fur…
(I didn’t get my boy too much,
But aimed it all at her.)”
“To add insult to injury…
All guilt upon her head…
When I went off to sulk a bit
I found she’d washed my bed!”
Both from Touche.
Ani also does not like having to diet:
“Now this works a treat, if you’ll pardon the pun,
‘Cause she either forgets, gives me treats or a bun
Or more likely she will not go in there at all
‘Cause, “You’ve put on a pound or two, girlie, since fall…”
from In hiding…
Of course, Ani is the first to worry if her Two-Legs gets sick:
“My two-legs has broken down again,
Or maybe she’s still broke,
I think she’s cute with hamster cheeks…
She says it’s not a joke.”
from Karma
Ani is also the first to admit that when she is sick, her Two-Legs nurses her with devoted care:
“Being poorly does have compensations;
‘Cause she’s worried to death, I can tell.
But now she is just so attentive…
I’m not in a rush to get well.”
from Sleeping Dogs Lie…?
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book of poetry about the antics and life experiences of the Small Dog. I would recommend it to anyone who loves dogs and who enjoys having a good giggle about life in general.
Purchase Doggerel: Life with the Small Dog
Twenty years: After “I do” by D.G. Kaye
What Amazon says
In this personal accounting, D.G. Kaye shares the insights and wisdom she has accrued through twenty years of keeping her marriage strong and thriving despite the everyday changes and challenges of aging. Kaye reveals how a little creative planning, acceptance, and unconditional love can create a bond no obstacle will break. Kaye’s stories are informative, inspiring, and a testament to love eclipsing all when two people understand, respect, and honor their vows. She adds that a daily sprinkling of laughter is a staple in nourishing a healthy marriage.
Twenty years began with a promise. As Kaye recounts what transpired within that time, she shows that true love has no limits, even when one spouse ages ahead of the other.
My review
This book is a memoir. I do not often read memoir, but after reading this one, I really think I should read more of them.
The author married a man who is twenty years her senior. At the time of their marriage, she did reflect on what could or would happen in the future as the relentless march of time took its toll, but she loved Gordon so much that she decided to grab the happiness and job life was offering her.
I found this book particularly interesting because my mother is ten years older than my father. My mother has always been “young” for her age and my father a bit “older” for his. They are now 80 and 70, respectively, and it has been interesting to watch the changes to their relationship and lifestyle. Ten years is half of twenty years, so such a big age gap does seem rather overwhelming to me and I was curious as to how the couple managed their life together now that they were both older. It turns out that they manage very well indeed, and I found this memoir uplifting and even inspiring.
The author addresses all sorts of aspects of married life, many of which are relevant in any marriage, regardless of the age of the spouses. I learned a lot from her thoughts and ideas, in particular, the idea of counting to ten before speaking in rage and never saying anything deliberately spiteful or hurtful. I have heard this message before, but never understood it quite like this. I am going to take this lesson learned forward in my life especially in my relationship with my one son, who is so like me we often fight like cat and dog.
The information covered in this book about living with a senior and travelling with a senior is useful to anyone who spends time and travels with parents so it is all very relevant and useful. I is also interesting to note how the author manages medications and illness with her senior husband.
This is a great book with numerous important messages that can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all age groups looking to gain the best from life and relationships.
Two good choices, Robbie. Thanks for your reviews. I like the work of both of these authors.
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Thank you, Pete 🙂
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Thank you, Pete. Me too.
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Thank you Pete 🙂
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Both books on my tbt pile 🥰
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Tbr!
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I was liking ‘tbt’ and wondering what you had in mind 😉
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🤣 no, sorry. Just my not so nimble thumbs, making their clumsy way around my phone keypad
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😀
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My brain just read it correctly 😉
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Both are great reads 😉
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Ani is delighted that you enjoyed… and reviewed… her book, Robbie 🙂 Thank you!
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My pleasure, Sue. I will be ordering a hard copy.
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Thank you, Robbie. I don’t find poetry works all that well on Kindle.
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Robbie, two beautifully observed reviews! Ani and her antics has me laughing and what a delightful book by Sue. You capture the heart of Debby’s book with skill and I like how you touch on the topics that pertain to your life! The ten second rule should be for all arguments, I agree! Hope it works well between your son and you!
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Thank you, Annika. Two really lovely reads. I need to apply the 10 second rule as I have a very quick temper.
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Wonderful reviews, Robbie. Thank you.
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Thank you, Jill
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Two great books and your reviews are excellent. Who doesn’t love Ani and her two-legged writer mom? Debby is a master at writing about human relations.
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You are right, Darlene. Sue and Debby are both great writers. I enjoyed both books in very different ways.
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Thanks so much Darlene ❤
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Thanks, Robbie. I love Sue’s, and I’ve met Ani, but must read some of her books. A great writer in all genres.
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Thank you, Olga. Ani looks adorable in her photographs and I always enjoy her antics.
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I also enjoy Debby’s books and have managed to read one of her books, but must read more. Thanks for the recommendation, Robbie!
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This is the second book by Debby I have read, Olga. She has an excellent range with her writing. Bags Packed, Will Travel is light and humorous and this book was deep and emotional.
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Thank you Olga ❤
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Great reviews! Fast reading too. I enjoy DG Kaye’s work a lot. I also enjoy Sue’s blog and she’s on my list as an early 2020 read!
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Great to hear, Jay. Sue’s Ani books are a delight and her other books really interesting. I have another of her books on my TBR.
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I’ve read ‘Twenty Years: After “I Do”‘ and can thoroughly recommend it.
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Thank you for adding your endorsement, Stevie. A great book by Debby.
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Thank you Stevie ❤
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You’re welcome. x
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thank you so much Robbie. What an honor to learn that you took so much from my book. And so elated to be featured here with Ani and Sue ❤
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My pleasure, Debby. I really enjoyed your book and learned a lot from it.
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That makes me happy 🙂 x
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I am a sucker for dog stories! I’m clicking over…
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This is a really cute one, Jacqui.
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Awesome choices, Robbie – great reviews. I laughed over your line about clashing with your son. My youngest and I do the same thing, lol.
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I am relieved to hear that other mother’s clash with their sons. Sometimes Greg drives me nuts. Actually, Mike sometimes drives me nuts too.
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Great reviews, Robbie:) I had to add both to my TBR list!
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I am sure you will enjoy them both, Denise. Sue and Debby are both fabulous writers.
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Wonderful reviews, Robbie, congrats to the authors!
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Thank you, Jacquie.
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Fantastic reviews congratulations Sue and Debby.. nice one Robbie…
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Thank you, Sally. A great reading week.
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Sounds like it… I have yet to read Doggerel…looking forward to it. hugsxx
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Great reviews, Robbie! ❤ Sharing…
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Thank you, Bette.
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2 very different books – thanks for sharing your thoughts on them. Memoirs like this give readers an honest look into the author’s life. I get the sense that this openness is what makes this book so good.
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Yes, you are right Barbara. I did wonder, as I read, what Gordon thought of some of the Frank disclosures. My hubby would not like it at all. I would never write about us.
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There’s an 18 year age gap between Dave and I but you would not say it given how young he looks. Friends of ours have the same gap as your parents, with her being older.
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I didn’t realise your gap was that big, Tandy, although I knew Dave was older. I am older than Terence by 15 months, but I look a lot younger. Someone told me the other day that he thought we had a whoopsie with our kids and that I had Greg when I was very young [I was 31 when he was born.]
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger.
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Thanks for sharing, Traci.
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Thank you for bringing these books to my attention, Robbie! Enjoyed your reviews.
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These are both great reads, Traci. Thanks for visiting.
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I enjoy visiting your blog! Always something good to find!
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Thank you, Traci. Hugs
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Insightful and informative as always.
Aging is difficult under any circumstances. As are relationships.
And Ani, as we know, is irresistible. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. I suppose that is true, although my mother is doing is gracefully. I only worry about her health since she had the cancer treatment. Her immunity is very low.
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I’m glad your mother is doing well and hope her cancer stays in remission.
I’m doing ok too, but seeing what my parents’ generation went through as they aged, and my own contemporaries now that they are reaching 70…there are so many ways for our bodies and minds to break down. But we adapt.
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People are living much longer too, so we see the frailty and effects of aging more.
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Great picks here, Robbie. I’ve had Sue’s book on my kindle for too long and have to just get to it (but I agree with her comment about poetry not being as good on an ereader). Also, have only read Debby’s travel memoir so looking forward to reading this one, too. 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Sarah. Sue’s Ani books are very entertaining and her other books though provoking. Debby’s travel memoir is hilarious. She is so funny with all her luggage.
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I agree. Debby’s travel memoir was funny. The airplane bathroom bit and Lysol in the hotel room were awesome. 😜
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Lovely reviews of Debby and Sue, very different but both appealing. 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, Marje. Two great books. I have yours lined up for after the Readathon.
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My pleasure Robbie. Oh! Hope you enjoy the curse of time!
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Thank you for the great reviews, Robbie! A wonderful pair. Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
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I agree, Michael. Debby and Sue are a fantastic pair of writers and bloggers and, of course, Ani is just the best.
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I hope next year i will be able to visit BloggersBash. Maybe there is time for a short meeting with Ani and perhaps Pete’s Ollie too. 😉 Think this will become a travelling over the whole isle.
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How lovely that you can go to the Blogger’s Bash, Michael. It isn’t at a good time of year for me.
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I enjoyed these reviews, as well as the comments about differences in aging between spouses.
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Two lovely books, Liz. Debby’s memoirs are certainly very interesting. She has a very vivid way of writing about her life.
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