A Dog is a Gift: A poetic celebration of living with a dog - Softcover

Ken Nye

Softcover

ISBN 10: 098010033X ISBN 13: 9780980100334

Publisher: TJMF Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

This book is dedicated to the dogs that have filled my life, from boyhood to the present, with companionship and affection and laughter. To: BONNIE, a black cocker spaniel, the dog of my childhood. She joined our family when I was two. She died when I was 18. I wasn t with her when she was put down. I should have been. TAFFY, a labcollie mix, Ann s and my first family dog, the best Frisbee player I have ever known. She loved to get in under the covers with me when Ann wasn t looking. MISSY, our stepdog, a gentle and loveable golden retriever who celebrated my return to the house in the afternoon by presenting me with a stone dug up from the driveway. (In the thirteen years we lived on the farm, Missy moved our entire driveway ten feet.) TESSY, our first golden puppy, my farm and woods wandering companion, the first dog I trained, a special dog to me. GRACIE, a tiny blond cocker spaniel waif, rebuffed by her mom and rescued by my sister who fed her day and night for weeks with an eye dropper and spoon to keep her alive, blind in one eye, always grateful for our attention. ROSIE, a spunky blond cocker spaniel who, when we got a golden puppy (Barney), enjoyed bossing him around because she was bigger than he was, but who, when he had grown to be four times her size, could never figure out why he didn t do what she wanted him to. BARNEY, a great big golden, the only male dog I have ever raised, with a heart as big as his head and a love of people that knew no limits. He was a joy. I still miss him. ELLIE AND FRANKIE, our two abandoned golden retriever/ yellow lab mixed breeds who rescued me from grief, and who reminded me every day of the joy and affection that dogs bring into our lives. COZY, our new baby golden retriever (now two years old) who is everything a dog person could ask for in a dog: a sweet, obedient, snugglebunny who delights in chewing on Frankie s collar and neck, probably the last puppy I will ever have.

About this title

About the Author

KEN NYE is a relatively new voice in Maine poetry, having begun his career as a poet only four years ago at the age of 62. After 42 years in public education as a high school English teacher, high school principal and college professor, Ken discovered the magic of poetry and began using it to reflect upon his life in all of its dimensions. He is a lover of the woods and waters of Maine, is surrounded by family and friends (his daughter and two granddaughters live right across the street, and his son and a granddaughter and grandson are an hour away) and is a lifelong lover of dogs, all of which are the focus of his poetry. Ken lives with his wife and soulmate of 46 years, Ann, in Freeport. Counting the Nye s two dogs and the Nye s granddogs, there are six dogs in the Nye house at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Edition details

• Publisher: TJMF Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 098010033X
• ISBN 13: 9780980100334
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 35