Old Toffer's Book of Consequential Dogs

by Christopher Reid, Elliot Elam (Illustrator)

I've rounded up a rowdy assembly
Of my own Consequential Dogs
As counterparts to Eliot's mogs.
Mine are a rough and ready bunch:
You wouldn't take them out to lunch . . .
But if they strike you as friendly, funny,
Full of bounce and fond of a romp,
Forgetful of poetic pomp,
I trust you'll take them as you find them
And, at the very least, not mind them.

T. S. Eliot's best-selling collection of practical cat poems has been one of the most successful poetry collections in the world.

For the first time in company history a companion volume will be published. Originally conceived by Eliot himself, Old Toffer's Book of Consequential Dog poems are a witty, varied and exquisitely compiled as Eliot's cats.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Dogs, Humor

107 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Christopher Reid, FRSL is a Hong Kong-born British poet, essayist, cartoonist, and writer. He has been nominated twice for the Whitbread Awards in 1996 and in 1997. A contemporary of Martin Amis, he was educated at Exeter College, Oxford. He is one of the exponents of Martian poetry which employs unusual metaphors to render everyday experiences and objects unfamiliar. He has worked as poetry editor at Faber and Faber and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Hull. In January 2010 he was awarded the 2009 Costa Book Award for A Scattering, written as a tribute to his late wife, the actress Lucinda Gane. The work won in the poetry category, and overall Best Book of the Year, becoming the first poet to take the overall prize since Seamus Heaney in 1999.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An homage to T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats – but all about dogs, and told in relentlessly end-rhyming verse that, while sonically reminiscent of Eliot’s, doesn’t quite possess the joyful charm of his wordplay. The yellow, black and white color scheme of the cover continues throughout the book, which contains at least one illustration (all by Elliot Elam) per poem. Reid’s unlikely pooches run the gamut from circus performers and police companions to poets and philosophers. But there are also hard-luck strays, of course.

Some favorite lines:

“Leopold is a Pekingese, / And all day long he takes his ease; / The principal perk of being a Pekingese is / Doing precisely as he pleases … Leo’s whole life is lazy and lax: Only breaks for meals and snacks / Interrupt his daylong dozes”

“A home with no dog lacks a heart; / A home with one, well, that’s a start, / But why stop there when two or three / Or four / Or more – / Several on every floor! – / Can join the happy family?”

[stefiereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

“Fill your home with Happy Hounds!
Better still, fill house and grounds:
Indoors, outdoors, cellar, roof!
A dog-filled home is misery-proof.”

This book is cute! It fills with poetry about some dog breeds. It makes me smile for sure :) I don’t have a dog, but wishing to have one.
Even though I really enjoy this book, I have to admit there are some poetry that I didn’t get.
But overall this book alone will make an amazing gift for dog lovers out there.

Thank you Faber Faber for this wonderful gift :)

[Fern A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brilliant collection of poems on dogs. Humorous, clever and witty and in a very similar vein to T.S. Eliot’s cat poetry. Watch out for another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical if he finds out about this!

[Misti · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Note: I always try to review poetry in my own bad verse. Apologies.)

Eliot's volume of feline-themed verse
Spawned a Broadway musical first
And a movie you might not pay to see
(But the reviews are entertaining for free).

In the spirit of that nonsensical book,
Author Reid chose to take a look
At the canine side of the equation
Finding in their quirks his inspiration.

In penning this sort of companion work,
Unfortunate comparisons always lurk:
I found these poems much less memorable,
I fear the book's not quite as venerable.

Eliot this fellow never will be,
His verse never rises to true poetry.
Or he may have been hampered by one simple fact:
Dogs are just not as poetic as cats.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure silliness for dog lovers.

2021 A book of humor

[Callum Morris-Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.

A homagic, cynophilic counterpart to Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, this collection of dog-centric verse leads us through a quirky procession of pooch portraits and canine character studies; being full of charming illustrations, waggish rhymes and witty wordsniffery.

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I expected too much from this little book of poetry, but considering that it was meant as a companion to T. S. Eliot's book about cats, I think I was entitled to expect the same type of wordplay, puns and humor. However, I was sadly disappointed because Reid was not able to deliver on this promise. Most of the poems have very forced rhymes, they lack any sort of rhythm and, what upset me the most, any consequential humor. There are characters who could have been used for comedic purposes, but all of them end up flat and altogether boring. And he does not seem to understand what having a dog as pet means, he seems to not be able to tap into what makes dogs such great human companions or what makes them extremely enjoyable to have around. This is made evidently clear by the last poem in the book which basically equates dogs with pieces of furniture. If you are a dog lover, seek elsewhere for good poetry.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats was dedicated to one of our favorite pets, the author felt it was only fair that someone, in turn, provide a similar tribute to our canine companions. Stereotypical portraits from the pampered to the abandoned, working dogs and independent strays. Purebreds to mixed breeds and mutts, the poems are a tribute to a variety of our barking, tail-wagging, racing and spoiled friends.

The black-and-white illustrations may seem cartoonish but definitely prove to be amusing and light-hearted even if the poetry may be considered not as adept as Eliot's - which in truth the reader can look back at decades of approval. Supposedly, Eliot was going to write a canine companion book for Old Possum's but we will never know what types he would have used much less which characters he would of used. So - at least - we have a salute to our furry helpmates.

2023-052

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an adorable collection. I haven't read most of the TS Eliot poems that this plays off of, but I plan to now! I'm usually not a huge fan of some of the more classic styles used (sonnets, end rhyme) but it just really works for these pieces. It adds a lighthearted, fun feel to them. I know it's best to read poetry aloud at least once, but I truly felt obligated to do that with these--they demand to be spoken! I think my favorite was probably Bess, but it's hard to say.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fill your home with Happy Hounds!
Better still, fill house and grounds:
Indoors, outdoors, cellar, roof!
A dog-filled home is misery-proof.”

Cute book full of funny poems and beautiful illustrations. Perfect for dog lovers!

I like the colour scheme of the illustrations, simple, classy and very consistent.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little collection of poems about dogs that would make a great gift for any dog lover. The illustrations are gorgeous and the yellow and black theme continues throughout. I’m not sure it quite stands up to Old Possum’s and I really wish more terriers had featured but it’s still a great little book.

[Gregg Hower · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing book, but I must admit it does not reach the level of invention and technical facility of Eliot's cat poems. I admit that as a serious dog lover. But the volume will provide gentle amusement to lovers of dogs and poetry.

[Becky Loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a T.S. Eliot fan? If so, you will love this canine take on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats."
Don't miss the Dalmatian who wants to be a cat so he can be included in the other book. His name? Frazzlesprat.
Great fun!

[Juliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comical and light, and an easy read.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dogs are adorable, cute, loyal, good friends of human. I totally get it. Just that I’m a cat person. Sorry man.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too cute at times at other times you can see in these poems the author has spent some quality time with his canine friends.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations!

[Ashleykuz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as funny and witty of a sequel as the original T.S. Eliot’s book.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely Dog-ish counterpart to T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

Beautifully illustrated too.

[Adam Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fun little bit

[Audra (ouija.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book of poetry about dogs similar in style and substance to T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, written as an homage for the 80th anniversary of that book.

The poems definitely had me smiling—they are quite witty and cute—and what really completes this book are the lovely illustrations throughout, all done in bright yellow, black, and white, similar to the cover.

A lovely addition to any home that holds its four-legged waggle-tailed friends dear.

My thanks to Faber & Faber for my copy of this book to read and review.

[Coco :P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every dog lover MUST read this!! Also an amazing book of poems to get out of a reading slump, catch onto the way C.Reid tells a story about each individual dog in a unique yet very fun way. Catchy and reminded me of Dr.Suess and the way he writes.
Definitely reccomend this book! :D

[Erika LG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've rounded up a rowdy assembly
Of my own Consequential Dogs
As counterparts to Eliot's mogs.
Mine are a rough and ready bunch:
You wouldn't take them out to lunch . . .
But if they strike you as friendly, funny,
Full of bounce and fond of a romp,
Forgetful of poetic pomp,
I trust you'll take them as you find them
And, at the very least, not mind them.

T. S. Eliot's best-selling collection of practical cat poems has been one of the most successful poetry collections in the world.

For the first time in company history a companion volume will be published. Originally conceived by Eliot himself, Old Toffer's Book of Consequential Dog poems are a witty, varied and exquisitely compiled as Eliot's cats.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic fun for those who love dogs. Snuggle up with your favourite hound a cuppa tea/coffee on a rainy day and enjoy this book.