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Dogs Rule Nonchalantly
There is nothing happier than a happy dog” reads one of the observations in this humorous and heartwarming look at the everyday interactions between man and man’s best friend. Renown illustrator Mark Ulriksen combines his handwritten observations with his intricate paintings of dogs from over 20 years of his career.
Mark reaches back to his youth to talk about his first dog and chronicles the idiosyncrasies of each of his ten dogs that have enriched his life. Mark parallels major life events from dating, married life, and raising a family, with such humorous moments as house-breaking a puppy, obedience classes, the sad melancholy of nursing an aging canine friend, Ted, and his eventual ascension to “dog heaven.”
Dogs Rule, Nonchalantly appeals to dog lovers of all ages. The intuitive, colorful paintings communicate a depth of understanding of the quips and quirks of our canine companions that will bring a smile to the faces of children, while the sophistication and nuance of Mark’s artistic expertise and his acute observations, will resonate with anyone who has ever had a dog. In addition, having contributed more than forty covers to The New Yorker magazine, this collection will also appeal to art lovers.
Mark reaches back to his youth to talk about his first dog and chronicles the idiosyncrasies of each of his ten dogs that have enriched his life. Mark parallels major life events from dating, married life, and raising a family, with such humorous moments as house-breaking a puppy, obedience classes, the sad melancholy of nursing an aging canine friend, Ted, and his eventual ascension to “dog heaven.”
Dogs Rule, Nonchalantly appeals to dog lovers of all ages. The intuitive, colorful paintings communicate a depth of understanding of the quips and quirks of our canine companions that will bring a smile to the faces of children, while the sophistication and nuance of Mark’s artistic expertise and his acute observations, will resonate with anyone who has ever had a dog. In addition, having contributed more than forty covers to The New Yorker magazine, this collection will also appeal to art lovers.
- GenresAnimalsArtDogsNonfiction
140 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2014
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 5, 2015
This book was adorable. It's a coffee table book. The drawings were made over a period of time and were compiled into one book with a running commentary, not even necessarily chronologically. However, nobody would have known how it was compiled, it read so seamlessly from beginning to end. Ulriksen is so talented - both drawings and commentary evoked so many laugh out louds and "Oh yes, I know that!"
You can cuddle up with your honey and go through each page reading it aloud, admiring the drawings, mingling with the dogs, in a short period of time. Ulriksen offers so many canine friends - just open his book and pick one!
You can cuddle up with your honey and go through each page reading it aloud, admiring the drawings, mingling with the dogs, in a short period of time. Ulriksen offers so many canine friends - just open his book and pick one!
December 28, 2017
I received this book from my parents for Christmas this year. I sat down to read it tonight, and it’s absolutely perfect. The illustrations are wonderfully and hilarious - each dogs personality shines through (the doggy facial expressions are great!). If you’ve ever had a dog in your family, you’ll recognize how well this book captured the spirit of our dog companions. I laughed out loud a few times, and definitely felt nostalgia for some of my past canine friends — all the while glancing up at my current mutt and feeling a deep sense of appreciation and wonder that such a kind, wonderful, and loyal creature can give so much love and affection :)
June 4, 2022
Amazing wonderful art paintings makes it five stars for me. Fun little bursts of words to go with the pictures. Would be great to read with a child, and a great encouragement for them to be an artist. Great to take it down again and look at the pictures. I even went and looked at them again before putting it in my 'need to find a place in the book case for this one' pile.
The words to go with the pictures are just normal good stuff. My favorite bit was:
“A dog's life is filled with simple pleasures: playing, roaming, carousing, exploring, conquering and, most importantly, loving.
They do it all with vigor and gusto.”
If you have this book, I would be interested in hearing what your favorite painting is out of them. My favorite is 'Spring Fever.'
At the end of the book there is a guide to all the paintings with the name and year. Went online where you can find prints of his art to purchase, maybe if I can find space on a wall...
The words to go with the pictures are just normal good stuff. My favorite bit was:
“A dog's life is filled with simple pleasures: playing, roaming, carousing, exploring, conquering and, most importantly, loving.
They do it all with vigor and gusto.”
If you have this book, I would be interested in hearing what your favorite painting is out of them. My favorite is 'Spring Fever.'
At the end of the book there is a guide to all the paintings with the name and year. Went online where you can find prints of his art to purchase, maybe if I can find space on a wall...
September 18, 2014
"Dogs Rule Nonchalantly" is a wonderful book for anyone that has ever loved or loves dogs. This new book by Mark Ulriksen is a book of really wonderful illustrations of Ulriksen's favorite subjects (and mine): dogs. The book tells the story of some of the dogs that the author had growing up as well as some of the dogs he has had more recently.
The little back story is great for this book (it is definitely cute), but it is really the illustration start truly make this book. His illustrations are both funny and heartwarming. Ulriksen definitely has his own sense of style when it comes to illustrations. I could see this being a really good book to give as a present to somebody who enjoys both art and dogs. It would make a fantastic coffee table book. This book will definitely give you the warm and fuzzies!
The little back story is great for this book (it is definitely cute), but it is really the illustration start truly make this book. His illustrations are both funny and heartwarming. Ulriksen definitely has his own sense of style when it comes to illustrations. I could see this being a really good book to give as a present to somebody who enjoys both art and dogs. It would make a fantastic coffee table book. This book will definitely give you the warm and fuzzies!
September 30, 2014
If you’re a regular reader of The Bark magazine or The New Yorker, you’ve seen Mark Ulriksen’s work.
He’s out with a book called Dogs Rule Nonchalantly which is chock full of his dog artwork, along with a funny and a little tug-at-the-heart storyline. If you’ve ever loved — or been loved by — a dog, you’ll get a kick out of this book.
Throughout the illustrated book, you’ll meet the seven dogs that shaped Ulriksen’s life and artwork, with illustrations of each, naturally!
There’s Saber, the Springer, a happy duck hunting dog; Henry, the Labrador, a gopher hole digger extraordinaire; Doog, the poodle who sounded a little neurotic; Cleo, the St. Bernard, who would escape from the yard and visit Ulriksen at school (how cool would that be?!); Ted a very handsome chocolate Labrador whom Ulriksen describes as perfect (as the lover of Labradors, I’d have to agree); Tiger, the mutt whose favorite food was the cheesecake Ulriksen’s mom baked; and Bernie, the hyper dog who peed in his food.
Ulriksen’s illustrations could stand by themselves, they’re terrific, but the accompanying text is what brings the book to life.
I love this passage:
A dog will greet you like
a long lost friend,
jumping on you with muddy
paws, tail wagging, and
a cold wet nose pushed into
your face or your crotch.
Truth!
There's a terrific illustration of a man (Ulrikesen) hugging a dog on his lap. I love it, especially with the accompanying text:
Everything’s better
with a dog.
Yeah, what he said!
It’ll make a great Christmas present for the dog lover on your list!
If you’re still on the fence, look what Neil deGrasse Tyson writes about the book: “I’ve never met Mark Ulriksen, but after reading Dogs Rule, in which he displays uncanny sensitivity to a dog’s mind through his illustrations and text, I’m left wondering whether he is, in fact, a dog.” I love me some NdGT!
He’s out with a book called Dogs Rule Nonchalantly which is chock full of his dog artwork, along with a funny and a little tug-at-the-heart storyline. If you’ve ever loved — or been loved by — a dog, you’ll get a kick out of this book.
Throughout the illustrated book, you’ll meet the seven dogs that shaped Ulriksen’s life and artwork, with illustrations of each, naturally!
There’s Saber, the Springer, a happy duck hunting dog; Henry, the Labrador, a gopher hole digger extraordinaire; Doog, the poodle who sounded a little neurotic; Cleo, the St. Bernard, who would escape from the yard and visit Ulriksen at school (how cool would that be?!); Ted a very handsome chocolate Labrador whom Ulriksen describes as perfect (as the lover of Labradors, I’d have to agree); Tiger, the mutt whose favorite food was the cheesecake Ulriksen’s mom baked; and Bernie, the hyper dog who peed in his food.
Ulriksen’s illustrations could stand by themselves, they’re terrific, but the accompanying text is what brings the book to life.
I love this passage:
A dog will greet you like
a long lost friend,
jumping on you with muddy
paws, tail wagging, and
a cold wet nose pushed into
your face or your crotch.
Truth!
There's a terrific illustration of a man (Ulrikesen) hugging a dog on his lap. I love it, especially with the accompanying text:
Everything’s better
with a dog.
Yeah, what he said!
It’ll make a great Christmas present for the dog lover on your list!
If you’re still on the fence, look what Neil deGrasse Tyson writes about the book: “I’ve never met Mark Ulriksen, but after reading Dogs Rule, in which he displays uncanny sensitivity to a dog’s mind through his illustrations and text, I’m left wondering whether he is, in fact, a dog.” I love me some NdGT!
September 20, 2014
"Personally, I was never big on little dogs, and cats are a little too independent, too aloof to get close to. But dogs are different, they give you their undivided attention. They watch your every gesture, read your every emotion, listen attentively to every word you say -- until they hear the rustle of a bag of chips being opened."
A charming and funny book about life with dogs, beautifully illustrated with wonderfully reproduced paintings by the author (many from private commissions and covers of celebrated magazines, such as the New Yorker and the Atlantic). Would make an excellent gift for any dog lover in your life, and even perhaps a fun book to read to children.
A charming and funny book about life with dogs, beautifully illustrated with wonderfully reproduced paintings by the author (many from private commissions and covers of celebrated magazines, such as the New Yorker and the Atlantic). Would make an excellent gift for any dog lover in your life, and even perhaps a fun book to read to children.
May 22, 2017
"Personally, I was never big on little dogs, and cats are a little too independent, too aloof to get close to. But dogs are different, they give you their undivided attention. They watch your every gesture, read your every emotion, listen attentively to every word you say -- until they hear the rustle of a bag of chips being opened."
March 8, 2020
Interesting book with beautiful illustrations. Any one who owns a dog can strongly identify with the emotions and have a good laugh about the antics of a dog!😊
November 15, 2021
Beautiful illustrations that are both heartwarming and funny. The text is also touching. Dog lovers would love and cherish this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews