Roses are red, violets are blue, the Poetic Dogs photo book is a must-have for you (man, we suck at poetry)

Poetic Dogs is an awesome new photo series by Italian photographer Dan Bannino that is all about raising awareness for shelter dogs.

Bannino was inspired by his pooch Rothko, who he adopted last year after Rothko was rescued from a gypsy camp. Rothko was in pretty rough shape when he was found, and it made Bannino realize just how many dogs get at tough start in life.

Through Poetic Dogs, Bannino hopes to give Rothko and rescue dogs like him a voice, and to encourage people to adopt instead of purchasing when they’re looking to add a canine companion to their household.

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To tell their stories, Bannino is paying a fitting homage to some of history’s best storytellers. Every pooch included in the series is photographed to look like a famous author (think Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway and Edgar Allen Poe). With the pictures placed side-by-side, you can see that the resemblance can really be quite striking (and adorable!)

All the dogs photographed for the series are rescues and as Bannino says, most have “suffered hunger, sickness, loneliness and are still giving their blessings to every human being they see, in the same way a lot of great artists did in the past, leaving us the treasure and legacy of their rare art.”

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Bannino has also launched an Indiegogo campaign to support Poetic Dogs. The goal is to raise money to visit more dogs, take their pictures, share their stories and help finance medical, food and basic supplies for pooches in need.

If Bannino meets his finding goal of around $7,500 (or 6000 Euros), he plans to produce a book of the Poetic Dogs series, which eligible donors will receive a copy of. Starting at around $30, you can also get print of your favorite Poetic Dog sent to you (so cute!).

To contribute to the Poetic Dogs’ cause, please visit their Indiegogo page. And to admire all of the adorable Poetic Dogs pictures, check out Bannino’s website.