Adorable Shelter Dogs Resemble Famous Authors in "Poetic Dogs" Series

Italy-based photographer Dan Bannino seeks to give a voice to homeless, neglected dogs through Poetic Dogs, a series that pairs shelter pups with famous authors. The adorable canines bear striking resemblances to their literary counterparts, sharing similar accessories, poses, and even expressions.

“Poetic Dogs is photo-project where dogs are beside famous writers: speaking through their expressions, sounds and movements, they’re telling you everything saying nothing, just like an author would do with words in a fine poem,” says the photographer, who was inspired to create this series after adopting his dog, Rothko, from a shelter nearly a year ago. “Most of these dogs 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.”

Bannino has launched an Indiegogo campaign so that he can visit more kennels, continue the project, and provide the dogs with medical care, food, and other basic supplies. To receive daily updates and to learn more about each dog’s story, be sure to check out Bannino’s Facebook and Instagram.

Above: Mark Twain

Ernest Hemingway