Description

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A heartwarming collection of short verse celebrating our beloved pets and the wonder of life
 
Daniel Ladinsky is the internationally acclaimed poet known for his inspired, contemporary renderings of works by Hafiz, Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, and poet-saints East and West. Patrick McDonnell is the venerated author, artist, and creator of the beloved MUTTS comic strip. In Darling, I Love You! these two artists have collaborated for the first time to create a delightful, universal collection of sweet, welcome-to-the-moment poems about the essential places animals and wonder hold in our lives and in our hearts, accompanied by line drawings of the illustrious MUTTS characters that readers have come to know and love.

“Pet owners will chuckle knowingly about the way the speakers shift between simple observations and deeper statements . . . that remind us why humans need animals as much as they need us.” —The Washington Post

About the Author

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Daniel Ladinsky is an acclaimed poet and renderer of mystical poetry. His books include The Gift, The Subject Tonight Is Love, I Heard God Laughing, A Year with Hafiz, Love Poems from God, The Purity of Desire, and Darling, I Love You. For six years, he made his home in a spiritual community in western India, where he worked and lived with the intimate disciples and family of Avatar Meher Baba. He lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Patrick McDonnell (illustrator) is a New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the comic strip MUTTS, which appears in over seven hundred newspapers around the globe. He has received numerous awards internationally, including the National Cartoonists Society’s highest honor, The Reuben.

Praise For…

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“The perfect read for those seeking respite from the seemingly endless stream of unsettling events in the news these days . . . The pages . . . present a variety of insights about everyday pleasures and demonstrate the value of living in the moment and treating our companions with respect and affection. The text is accompanied by charming line drawings . . . which add to the energy, depth and warmth of the writing. Pet owners will chuckle knowingly about the way the speakers shift between simple observations and deeper statements . . . that remind us why humans need animals as much as they need us.”
—The Washington Post

“Prepare for your heart to melt as you read Darling, I Love You, a touching and poetic tribute to the furry friends in our lives. . . . This illustrated collection is a must-have for anyone who considers their dog (or any animal) a best friend.”
—Bustle (11 Heartwarming Books For Dog-Lovers)

“Amid the current swirl of angry words, Darling, I Love You is balm for the soul. . . . Patrick McDonnell's delightful illustrations . . . beautifully and whimsically capture the essence of joy. . . . Ladinsky's deeply spiritual sense is evident in his expressions of awe and reverence.”
—The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“This lovely, moving book is simply a delight. . . . [It will] inspire wonder and make you want to slow down and go pat your dog. This sweet and beautiful book would make an absolutely wonderful gift for yourself or a loved one.”
—Modern Dog Magazine

“Charming . . . Ladinsky’s simple but poignant poems, accompanied by illustrations of the beloved MUTTS characters, invite readers to slow down and see the goodness and grace that are all around us—and to give thanks. . . . [An] insightful book and one that you’ll likely turn to again and again for its gentle humor and playful reminders of the things that truly matter.”
—PETA

“A really sweet book . . . Each time I crack open Darling, I Love You it makes me appreciate my little furry friends even more. I also find myself feeling better about life in general . . . I think that’s what poetry is all about.”
—5 Minutes for Books