Dog Poems of Love and Grief

This is a Leonberger blog, but I also post about other topics including book reviews of books that I love and want to promote. With this post I would like to promote a beautiful and touching poetry book that is about a Labrador called Copper: King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott.

Below is an overview of the two formats of King Copper by Lauren Scott

  • Paperback –  Publisher : Baydreamer Writes (August 6, 2025), ASIN : B0FK21KS3T, ISBN-13 : 979-8349341014, 66 pages, Item Weight : 3.53 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.14 x 9 inches, it cost $14.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle – Publisher : Baydreamer Writes (August 6, 2025), ASIN : B0FJJ3VWJ6, 70 pages. It is currently $5.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover features the title and author, a big photo of Copper and a pumpkin.
Front cover of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback version of the book.

Amazon’s Description of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott

When I knelt down to Copper’s level, my heart melted. His amber, soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.

I recalled sitting at the table, perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.

So, on a late winter March day in 2012, my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor, and after a walk around the block and some play time, I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl, our black lab mix, who passed just four months earlier?

Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision, only three days later, we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one, and that’s what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations, we felt the timing was right. I, especially, couldn’t shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.

From the hugs, cuddles, and games of fetch, Copper learned to trust us. And so, he became family. For thirteen years, he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March. It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March – the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive, long-lasting imprint on our souls.

This is my Amazon five-star Amazon review of King Copper

The Life of a Dog named Copper

Copper, a rescue Chocolate Lab, was picked up from a foster home in March of 2012 by a loving family and in return they received 13 years of unconditional love from Copper, who turned out to be a quite remarkable dog. This touching and beautiful book recounts his life in the form of poetry. What better way to tell the life of a dog, than through poetry. Some of the poems are from Copper’s perspective and some of them are from the author’s perspective. Some of the poems are fun, some speak of love, and some speak of grief. I think that everyone who’s ever owned dogs will recognize themselves in this book. I certainly did.

Dogs have personalities, they can express themselves, they are innocent, they are fun, they are loving, they can sense your mood and feelings, and they want to comfort you when you are sad. They love you and they can do amazing things, and they are part of the family. All of this is beautifully expressed in this book. This is a heartwarming book that will leave no heart untouched.

There are also a lot of great color photos in the book. I thought it was fun to look at the various photos of Copper and the people he interacted with. There is also explanatory background information. The book is well written and well laid out and the author is obviously a great poet. I highly recommend this book to all dog lovers. Actually, I recommend it to everyone.

An overview of the book and a tilted photo of Copper, on a dark-brown background. The text says: “A poetic account of the joy that arises when a lovable chocolate lab walks into your life and changes it forever. And the eventual heartache you feel when he crosses the rainbow bridge thirteen years later and still too soon.”
Back cover of King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry by Lauren Scott. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the Kindle version of the book.

About the Author of King Copper

Lauren Scott is a poet and writer of fiction, memoir, and children’s books. She has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee, and in 2024, Cora’s Quest, her first children’s book was published. Lauren’s poetry and stories have been published on Spillwords Press, a literary Ezine where she was voted Author of the Month in May 2023.

She is a contributing author in the anthologies, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2022), This is How We Grow (2023), Petals of Haiku (2024), and Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku (2025). Her poems are shared monthly on the online literary site, Gobblers and Masticadores. Writing inspiration comes from her love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Review of Burning Butterflies

This is a Leonberger blog, but I also post book reviews of books that I love and want to promote but are not about Leonbergers. With this post I would like to promote a truly wonderful poetry book that also feature a lot of photos, art, information and links to videos about African wildlife. This book is a masterpiece just like this wonderful book from the same author: Lion Scream.

Below is an overview of the two formats of Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna Paperback – April 22, 2025, by Robbie Cheadle
  • Paperback –  Independently published April 22, 2025, ASIN : B0F2VCXZZV, ISBN-13 : 979-8315273431, 92 pages, Item Weight : 6.7 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.22 x 9 inches, it cost $12.50 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle – Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 22, 2025, ASIN : B0F2SDF2GW, 94 pages. It is currently $5.99 on Amazon.com and free with Kindle unlimited. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover features the title and author, butterflies and the front of an elephant at the center as well as fire in the background.
Front cover of Burning Butterflies. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback version of the book.

Amazon’s Description of Burning Butterflies

Butterflies are interpreted, inter alia, as symbols of transformation and change, hope and rebirth, spirituality, the soul, creativity, nature, beauty, and resurrection. Faced with the annihilation of much of the planet’s forests, wetlands, and other habitats for wildlife, all the wonderful things that butterflies symbolise are gradually being destroyed.

This book celebrates Southern African flora and fauna, while acknowledging the threats it faces.

This is my Amazon review of Burning Butterflies

A Powerful and Poetic Statement on Wildlife

This is another masterpiece from author, poet, artist, wildlife photographer and naturalist Robbie Cheadle. I bought both the paper version and the kindle version. I prefer reading a real paper book, but it was easier to view all the beautiful YouTube videos using the Kindle. With only the paperback I would have to type in the url. The book features hundreds of beautiful poems, more than 90 colors photos and paintings, other kinds of art, dozens of YouTube videos and informational links. The focus is on African wildlife.

The author touches on important subjects such as the threats to wildlife and our planet from human development, climate change, and trophy hunting. The author’s love for wildlife and nature shines through in her poems, in her art, in her photos, and videos. More than anything I think this book is a beautiful tribute to the natural world. You also learn about African wildlife and various animals. I found it interesting that there are no bears in Africa. The last bear in Africa, an Atlas bear was killed in Morocco in 1870. Did you know that cheetah cubs have whitish fuzzy back that look like the back of honey badgers, a fierce animal. It is believed that it protects them.

The author is using the Butterfly as a symbol of transformation. She also expresses a special love for elephants. They are magnificent and intelligent animals. I felt that this book has so much to offer in terms of beauty, symbolism, art and wisdom. I highly recommend this book.

Photo of the author, title of the book “Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna Paperback” and the Amazon overview of the book.
Back cover of Burning Butterflies. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the Kindle version of the book.

About the Author of Burning Butterflies

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews.

Click here to visit is her Goodreads page

Click here to visit her TSL Publications Page

Click here to visit is her Twitter account

Click here to visit is her Facebook account

These are her published books on Amazon.

Blog Post 300 and Sun Haiku

This is my 300th blog post for this blog and today I am reviewing and promoting a very good book on poetry, Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine by Dawn Pisturino. I bought the paperback version from US Amazon. I should mention that the focus of my blog is Leonberger dogs, but I also blog about other things.

  • Paperback –  Publisher Horse Mesa Press (November 30, 2024), ASIN : B0DPDL87CJ, ISBN-13 : 979-8991244749, 74 pages, Item Weight : 5.8 ounces, Dimensions : 6 x 0.17 x 9 inches, it cost  $6.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle –  Publisher Horse Mesa Press (November 29, 2024), ASIN : B0DPCV65KT, 65 pages, it costs $3.99 on US Amazon but is free with Kindle Unlimited. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover is blue with a big bright illustration of the sun plus author and title.
Front cover of Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback version book.

Amazon’s Description of Sun Haiku

This collection of traditional and non-traditional haiku is dedicated to the sun and its effects on people, animals, and the environment. Many ancient cultures worshipped the sun as the giver and sustainer of life. As the center of our solar system, life on Earth depends on the sun to grow and thrive. Of course, like anything else, too much of a good thing can have negative consequences: skin cancer, drought, cataracts, shriveled up crops, and more. That’s why we do what we can to protect ourselves while taking advantage of the sun’s positive energy. Come join me in honoring the most important body in our solar system!

To see my Review of Sun Haiku on Amazon Click Here

The Sun Gives Us Life and Death. Poems for the Mind and Spirit

Sun Haiku is a delightful poetry book featuring 365 Haiku poems about the sun, followed by a few leap year poems, two short stories, and two longer bonus poems. The poems cover a lot of sun related topics. The poems tell us that the sun gives us warmth, light, colors, beauty, sustenance, birds and flowers, uplifting freedom, it heals the mind and spirit, but it can also burn us, give us cancer, and cause draught. Be careful. The poems elaborate on the midnight sun, the solar system, and the death of the sun and the white dwarf star that it will become.

The poems are imaginative, original, clever, captivating, and a lot of fun to read. The stories were also imaginative, original and intriguing. I think my favorite poem was the bonus poem at the end called summer heat. I think it was the longest poem in the book stretching one and half pages. The words and the verses were full of life and evoked beautiful, dreamy visions of nature and sunshine. The author dedicated her book to her brother, a man who loved the outdoors but died from skin cancer. This background added an emotive aspect to her sun poems. I highly recommend this beautiful book of poems.

Other Books by Dawn Pisturino

I’ve posted about a few of Dawn Pisturino’s books.

The back cover is black and feature an overview of the book and a photo of the author.
Back cover of Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the Kindle version book.

About Dawn Pisturino

Photo of Dawn Pisturino author of Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine

Dawn Pisturino’s international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her debut poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, earned five-star reviews and ranked #60 on the Amazon Best Seller list for Haiku & Japanese Poetry. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories.

Haiku for the Midnight Hour, her third book, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. Her fourth book, Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, climbed to #1 Amazon New Release in Japanese Poetry & Haiku. She is a member of several author organizations.

Spooky Fun Poetry

The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but that I want to promote. This time I would like to promote Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino. This is a wonderful book featuring spooky poetry. I bought the paperback version from Amazon for $5.99 .

  • Paperback –  Published September 1, 2024, by Horse Mesa Press, ASIN : B0DFW6CQ7S, ISBN-13 : 979-8991244718, 64 pages, Item Weight : 5.3 ounces, Dimensions : 6 x 0.15 x 9 inches, it cost  $5.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle –  Published August 31, 2024, by Horse Mesa Press, ASIN : B0DD3SBP6N, 64 pages, it costs $2.99 on US Amazon but is free with Kindle Unlimited. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover is black and feature a cemetery, a skull, a full moon and a raven.
Front cover of Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the book.

Amazon’s description of the book

This collection of haiku challenges the traditional Japanese poetic art form. Experimenting with darker images and ideas, I have created non-traditional observations that address the other side of literature and life: monsters, ghosts, natural fears, supernatural forces, fearful gods and goddesses, and whatever constitutes the Otherworld. This book was written for people who like Halloween, scary stories, and being alone in the dark.

Click here to see my review on Amazon

Spooky Fun in the form of Poetry

Haiku for the midnight hour feature more than 200 spooky Haiku poems divided into 17 chapters. All poems and chapters feature a different theme. There are poems about scary animals, paranormal beings, folklore, ghosts and demons, monsters, death, outer space, fairy tales, magic, occult practices, and much more. My two favorite chapters were Spellbinding and Wee Folk.

The poems are imaginative, varied, original, different, entertaining and a lot of fun to read, especially if you are into Halloween and all things spooky, like I am. I also learned something about paranormal beings and folklore that I did not know before. Do you know what Dagda, Samhein, Arachne, Nyarlathotep, or Lughnasadh is? I think Halloween and scary stories are about imagination, pushing the limits of reality, and having fun, and that is what this poetry book is about. It is not your typical Haiku poem book. I highly recommend Haiku for the midnight hour.

Other books by Dawn Pisturino

I should add that I was also delighted to find myself mentioned in the authors afterword regarding one of her other books.

The back cover is black and feature an overview of the book and the author.
Back cover of Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Kindle version for the book.

About the Author

Dawn Pisturino is a retired nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, debuted with five-star reviews. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories.

Her newest release, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, PEN America, and the Arizona Authors Association.

Click here to visit is her website

Click here to visit is her blog

Truths Never Before Told Now Revealed with Powerful Poems

The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but are books that I love, and I therefore want to promote. This time I would like to promote All the Words I Kept Inside by P.J. Gudka – July 9, 2024. In this book P.J. Gudka, or Pooja, lets out her innermost feelings utilizing enchanting and beautiful poetry and it ends up being quite powerful. I bought the Kindle edition.

  • Paperback –  Publisher : Wild Ink Publishing (June 29, 2024), ISBN-10 : 1958531650, ISBN-13 : 978-1958531655, 112 pages, Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.7 ounces, dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.26 x 8 inches, it currently cost $ $19.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle – Publisher : Wild Ink Publishing (July 9, 2024), ASIN : B0D42BHQQ8, 113 pages. It is currently $6.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover title and author and a drawing of a young woman with flowers.
Front cover of All the Words I Kept Inside Kindle Edition by P.J. Gudka. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the book.

Amazon’s description of the book

What is your truth? What is your secret? What secrets are you keeping from the world that you hope one day you will be brave enough to tell? When will you tell your heart? All The Words I Kept Inside allows you this moment.

This collection of poetry urges you to look deeply inside and confront your darkest thoughts. It takes that inner dread, disappointment, and heartache to reveal the words of the heart. This book will show you that you are not alone. That you are understood. That you don’t have to go through these dark moments on your own because so many of us experience them too. The words found inside will reach out a hand and guide you.

This is your moment.

This is your truth that you’ve never told anyone.

The words see you.

From the very earliest moments, the words know…

“All the words I kept inside. In you, I now confide…”

This is my five-star review of the book All the Words I Kept Inside by P.J. Gudka. Click here to see my review on Amazon.

The Girl Who Fell in Love with the Monster Under Her Bed

It’s OK to mourn the person you were. Even if you love the person you are now. That was one of the phrases in this book. This book features beautiful and deeply moving poems. They are often dark and sad, and while reading it I couldn’t help but recalling the phrase from the song “the sound of silence”, “Hello darkness my old friend I’ve come to talk with you again”. The author put her innermost feelings and angst into poems using enchanting word formations and rhymes. The poems were dark but also full of wisdom, truth and beauty. As soon as my kindle book was made available to me, I started reading it and I could not stop. The poems were so intriguing and powerful. Reading this book was a very special experience. I highly recommend this beautiful book of poetry.

About the Author

Photo of P.J. Gudka author of All the Words I Kept Inside.

P. J. Gudka is a writer, blogger and freelancer currently working from Kenya. Her journey as a blogger began when she created her multi-niche blog, Lifesfinewhine, as a teenager, to share her experiences with life, mental health, travel and more. Since then, her blog has captured the interest of thousands of people around the world and is now her full-time passion.

Her writing has been published in books like Hidden In Childhood: A Poetry Anthology and Glow: Self-Care Poetry For The Soul as well as multiple magazines.

Click here to visit is her blog

https://lifesfinewhine.ca/

Timeless Poems Rooted in Life Experience

The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but that I want to promote. Here is another book I would like to promote, Ariel’s Song : Published Poems, 1987 – 2023 by Dawn Pisturino. This is a wonderful book featuring beautiful poetry growing out of personal experiences and written over a time span of more than 3 decades. I bought the paperback version from an online bookstore called Lulu.com but I wrote a review for it on Amazon. The information below is for Amazon.

  • Paperback – Publisher : Horse Mesa Press (March 12, 2024), ASIN : B0CZT68B2J, ISBN-13: ISBN-13 : 979-8218387860, 132 pages, Item Weight : 6.6 ounces, Dimensions : 6 x 0.28 x 9 inches, it cost  $13.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
  • Kindle –  Publisher : Horse Mesa Press; 1st edition (March 5, 2024), ASIN : B0CWP2MLPZ, it costs $8.99 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
The front cover features a small country road going through a forest with colorful autumn trees. In addition, the book title and the authors name are shown on a yellow background.
Front cover of Ariel’s Song : Published Poems, 1987 – 2023 by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the paperback.

Amazon’s description of the book

Ariel’s Song is a collection of intensely personal poems written between 1987 and 2023 that features various styles and themes, from twisted limericks that make you laugh to traditional sonnets that make you think and feel the world around you. There is something for everyone to enjoy: dark poems, love poems, nature poems, funny poems, poems about death and grief, poems about abuse and heartache, children’s poems, and experimental poems.

Click here to see my review on Amazon

Beautiful Poems from the Heart

I bought the paperback version of this recently published book from a different store. It is a collection of selected poems written over three decades. Most of the poems have been published on poetry websites or literary magazines. There are limericks, poems with rhymes, poems without rhymes, short poems, long poems, dark poems, love poems, nature poems, funny poems, and poems that make you think, etc. But all of them are beautiful and deeply personal. They are often emotional. There are 65 poems and a few that really spoke to me were Ariel’s Song, Legacy, The Sleeping Beauty, Psychology, First Snow, and Baudelaire.

Some of my favorite poems were beautiful, rhythmic, dreamy, moving, and delightful. Other poems were dark but poignant, soulful, and touching. The poems expressed different sides of life, happiness, and sadness, which makes for a multifaceted beautiful reading experience. Reading this book was a wonderful experience and you will reread the poems several times because of their beauty. I highly recommend this book of poems.

The back cover features a photo of Dawn Pisturino, imprint logo, and a brief description of the book.
Back cover of Ariel’s Song : Published Poems, 1987 – 2023 by Dawn Pisturino. Click on the image to go to the Amazon page for the Kindle version.

About the Author

Dawn Pisturino is a retired nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies, most recently in Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and the 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine.

She is a Mystery Writers of America, Arizona Authors Association, and PEN America member. Her first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, debuted to positive reviews.