Dog Tales, 2nd edition
Ken Rolph © 2010
Hexagon Press, Blacktown, Australia
ISBN 978-0-908063-16-1
124 pp. pbk.

Dog Tales is an eclectic output of a highly intelligent, witty Australian writer who has lived a somewhat eclectic life. Rolph’s tales reveal an observant eye on daily life that keeps readers engaged, entertained and/or educated.

His unorthodox method of saving his wife from threatening Rottweilers, I will apply if the need arises. His Pet Patting episode, easily imagined from the descriptions, left me laughing aloud, although one friend said, “The poor cat.” However, a vet visit resolved that feline’s unusual adventure. (I want to reassure readers, not reveal a realistic plot that surely could happen with school children and animals in close quarters.)

The modern parable of the tree and rock is beautiful and profound. Some pieces end with a delightful O. Henry-style punch, humor this author handles with the timing of a stand-up comedy expert.

FYI Boadicea is an ancient British queen, not a Shakespearean witch, as someone suggested. This author relates to his queen in spite of a slight age difference (!) and his view of unexpected male/female traits.

With poetry, humor and brief narratives, the thirty-five entries make Dog Tales a worthwhile volume for gifts and/or personal enjoyment.

From ‘Whatsaname’ to ‘Good Intentions’, Ken Rolph’s new book “Dog Tales” is an refreshing look at life from an off-beat perspective.

Able to be read on two different levels - straight humour or reflective - it is a series of snapshots of the lives of the characters involved. It’s alternatively amusing or thought provoking and sometimes both.

As characters go, Rolph has developed a wildly differing array: Cato, an egocentric dog, also known as Lord Rupert Pupkin; Boadicea, the long suffering and, occasionally, understandably difficult wife; Cindy, the wardrobe-raiding, teenage daughter; and, a diverse collection of minor characters who will leave your sides aching from laughter.

Yet, underneath it all, there is a clear message that transcends the humour. Life is worth living, it says, in all its moments and phases. But there is a serious side, it declares, which we should all consider while laughing at the rest. ‘The Rock and The Weed’, a short narrative, is as thought provoking as any Biblical parable.

Dog Tales would have to be one of the best books of it’s type. Each story, short enough to be read in just a few minutes, will provoke an emotional response from you. It’s perfect for bed time, perfect for enjoying during a quick coffee break, perfect companion material for the bus or train or an evening on your own.

A great gift for anyone teenage and up and just in time for Christmas. It will be stuffing in a few of my Christmas stockings this year.

Dr David Lenehan
Professor of Linguistics, Author and Speaker
Budapest, Hungary

This is a delightful book, which will make you laugh out loud. It's suitable for both men and women (and dogs) and I highly recommend it. It'd make a great Christmas present.

Looking for a gift for that hard to buy for person? Can I suggest a copy of Dog Tales by Ken Rolph?

Consisting of all short pieces, it is the type of book you can pick up and read in small bursts. Ten minutes here and half an hour there.

It is a book of anecdotes told with wisdom and humour. No, it’s not all about dogs, though there are some amusing insights in letters from Lord Rupert Pupkin. But it also has a lot about renovations and do it yourself jobs, relationships, and other things. I’m not a person who laughs easily at books. I have been known to read books declared by their blurb to be uproariously funny and barely raise a smile. However, I laughed at the humour of this and the scenes presented. Not just a little sly chuckle. Some real honest to goodness laughter, especially those concerning the bathroom renovations, the pet show and the removal of the oil heater. Being able to write humour is a real gift, not everyone ahs.

Contrast the funny stories with the gentle parable of the stone and the weed, some haiku, and it makes for an eclectic mix. I particularly liked the haiku about sweet peas, (one of my favourite flowers) and the Indian mynahs. The idea of mynahs as street birds in The writer as an observor and the death of Iris were observant pieces, as are many of the others telling of the foibles of people and animals. The description of the pelican’s eyes is one of the clearest I have ever read.

If you want a good chuckle check it out.