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

Valerie Shaff,

Roy Blount Jr.

4.25 · Rating details · 307 ratings · 25 reviews

This collection teams up dog portraits by Valerie Shaff and verse by humorist Roy Blount Jr., to give an original portrayal of what dogs really think.

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Hardcover, 112 pages

Published May 15th 1998 by Bulfinch

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· 307 ratings · 25 reviews

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Feb 19, 2020 Garrison Kelly rated it it was amazing

It’s not often that I give perfect five out of five grades to whatever I’m reading at the time. When I finally do, you know it’s a special occasion. You know that the book touched my heart in some special way or changed the way I think about the world. This picture book did the former of those two. Sure, you’ll always win me over with precious puppy-duppy pictures. But these aren’t just ordinary snapshots of dogs. They’re expressive. They’re artistic. Valerie Shaff takes special care when select It’s not often that I give perfect five out of five grades to whatever I’m reading at the time. When I finally do, you know it’s a special occasion. You know that the book touched my heart in some special way or changed the way I think about the world. This picture book did the former of those two. Sure, you’ll always win me over with precious puppy-duppy pictures. But these aren’t just ordinary snapshots of dogs. They’re expressive. They’re artistic. Valerie Shaff takes special care when selecting which ones go in the book. Some of the dogs have pouty expressions. Others are playing outside. Even the simple act of lying on the couch is enough to touch the coldest of human souls. These are the sweeties we’ve come to know and love throughout our many years of owning dogs. You want to reach through the pages and give hugs and belly rubs to these precious critters. But alas, this book was published in 1998 and many years have passed since then, which means these pups have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. By the looks of these photos, you can tell that the time they spent on this earth was well-lived. That’s really all we can do in the end: give these doggos the best life they can possibly have.

But of course, Valerie Shaff’s excellent photography is just one half of this formula. You also have the simple, yet effective poetry of Roy Blount, Jr. to accompany these beautiful pictures. These poems make the dogs come off as sweethearted and lovable rather than diva-like and spicy. They do have their diva moments, but those moments don’t overstay their welcome. There’s also a little bit of toilet humor, but it too doesn’t overstay its welcome. The one poem that really hit me the hardest was the one about the owner going off to college and the dog assuming that the would-be student is dead. This poem is accompanied by a sad expression on the dog’s face and rightfully so. This gave me war flashbacks of going to study at Western Washington University and being depressed all the time about not being able to see my animal babies. The rules of my dorm room specifically stated that pets weren’t allowed, so that hit me even harder. In the introduction to this book, Roy wonders what kinds of thoughts his dogs have and what rhythm they would use to express those thoughts. I’d say he got them down perfectly, no questions asked.

Everyone could use a little sweetness in their lives, but this book goes the extra mile in securing that sweetness for potential readers. Valerie Shaff and Roy Blount, Jr. didn’t just create a photo album; they created art. This is the kind of representation that precious puppies need, especially when it comes to adopting them from shelters (don’t shop, adopt). This book does a good job of building up older doggies as well, which is important since they need love just as much as their younger counterparts. Like I said earlier, five out of five stars is what this book gets. That’s a lot of “aww’s”! ...more

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May 15, 2015 Debbi rated it really liked it

I bought this book on a shopping trip with my Mom and my sister about 16 years ago and loved it then. Today I am cleaning all my books as I put them back on my library shelves and when I came to this one I sat down and read it again. Working hard eh? Only a 10 minute read but it makes you smile and also think just what are our dogs thinking. Each page has a photo of a dog, or two, either in some activity or else giving "a look". On the other page is what the dog is saying or would say if she cou ...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Perhaps one of the only dog lovers gift books worth getting--anything by these two is a gem!

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Jun 17, 2018 Carol Kean rated it it was amazing

This is one of those rare books that I love so much, I buy copies for my friends.

The **voice** is perfect. Spot-on!

I will write more another day; right now I'm in the midst of reviewing Dave Barry's "Lessons from Lucy," and he mentions Roy Blount in that book, which led me to realize I have never posted a review for this little treasure.

Back soon....

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Aug 17, 2018 Terralyn Brown Barfield rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: a-review-written, 4-to-5-avg-rating-finished, c-animal, c-non-fiction-bio-info

I love this doggie poetry.......own it.........have reread it many times. Smiles.

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Jul 02, 2020 Mary rated it liked it

The prose was... crass?? It just didn't flow or feel beautiful and then I found myself starting to flip through the book looking at the pictures of the dogs only.

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Sep 08, 2020 Becky Loader rated it it was amazing

Oh, my, gosh. I don't know which is better: either the photos or the text.

Dog lovers will understand.

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Jan 23, 2014 Edwina Callan rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010, bookcrossing

A dear friend gave me this book in celebration of my family adopting a beautiful basset hound from a high kill shelter in March of 2010.
Me and Barney The Basset snuggled up on the couch while I read this book and now I have nothing but bitter-sweet memories about this book
because Barney had a massive seizure and passed away on July 14, 2013.
Rest In Peace Sweet Boy.

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Apr 24, 2015 Anne rated it liked it

Shelves: dog-stories, nonfiction

Cute little book with pictures of dogs accompanied by short poems. My favorite:

What does that mean, "expensive shoe"?
I ate it because it smelled like you.

And another that's kind of sad:

"Gone to college,"
Is what they said.
To my knowledge,
That means he's dead.

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Jan 24, 2009 Kim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: shared-with-my-kids, visually-inspiring

ok, my connection with this one is fairly obvious, but I so enjoyed the simple snapshot quality to these delightfully clean-lined portraits. Paging through this book gives me great pleasure and many smiles

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Jun 09, 2015 Devin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: funny

This book was fantastic! Cute, great photos of a variety of dogs just being themselves and hilarious and true poems accompanying them. This book is a totally accurate representation to how dogs are. Totally worth picking up!

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Dec 31, 2010 Peacegal rated it liked it

This is a book of dog-related poetry paired with soft-focus, sepia-toned photos of a variety of amusing dogs. It’s not especially memorable, but it would make a nice gift for the dog lover on your list.

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