REVIEWS OF THE BOOKS

 

Beautifully and soulfully captured by Michele Copen, A Day Walking in my Paws is a quintessential collection of photography and heart-warmly stories of French Bulldogs that simultaneously educates and delights the reader. Never before has such a comprehensive, thoughtful and gorgeously compiled volume of all-things-frenchies existed in such exquisite depth. From Modern Family's "Stella" (Beatrice) to Michele's own history of owning and loving these furry family members, this book is drenched in love of the breed and is a must-read for dog lovers.

— Shari Rosenblum, Senior Vice President, Publicity for Twentieth Century Fox Television

If you can have only one book about French Bulldogs, this is the book, A Day Walking in my Paws a wonderful survey of the joys of living with a Frenchie. This is my favorite of her books because in addition to her excellent photographs Michele has included stories of Frenchies in their families as well as important information about Frenchie rescue, therapy work and performance events. Familiar with her previous work I was not surprised to see Michele's beautiful photographs and this collection of Frenchies' profiles and their stories gave me a renewed appreciation of this wonderful breed's versatility. When I got my first Frechie nearly forty years ago the breed was seldom seen in performance events. This book should inspire owners to enrich their dog-sharing lives, whether it be rescue, therapy dog or the various performance activities in which Frenchies participate today. Not many of us have been able to attend coursing or barn hunt events but Michele's superb photos show Frenchies in key moments of competition. But I think that my favorites show Frenchies portrayed in their human families, especially the children delighting in the Frenchies' special personalities. In her photography Michele has captured those qualities that make French Bulldogs our favorite breed.

— Jim Grebe, Historian and Archivist of the French Bull Dog Club of America

This amazing compilation of Frenchie stories and beautiful, full-page photographs in A Day Walking in My Paws is unrivaled in publication anywhere else! Michele Copen is masterful in capturing these adorable, and often comical, little dogs living their lives to the fullest with their forever families who adore them. This book is priceless and a must-have if you love French Bulldogs! The heart-felt stories bring meaning to each and every photo that has been creatively designed in the book to keep the reader in eager anticipation to see what the next page may unfold and the story to be told. I have been blessed to see Michele in action, working her magic to get just the perfect shots. She has incredible talent that is amply displayed in this work of art. I thank her for allowing my sweet little cleft palate puppy, Bentley to be part of her journey and part of her amazing book, A Day Walking in My Paws.

— Janine Williams, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Leisure Sports Hospitality, Inc.

Thanks for not only a wonderful book, A Day Walking in My Paws but experience! Every moment of this masterpiece captures the souls and the hearts of each of these Frenchies! My family and I have been taking our time through these wonderful photos as you have made us smile at each, and every page! Each and every photo we can only imagine what these wonderful Frenchies are thinking (as we read each story) of our family friends. Such a quality item as we can see why this was five years in the making. Great job Michele. We will have this in our family for a lifetime.

— Jeffrey Frischmann, Manager, Mike Hammer Comedy & Magic Show, Las Vegas

Michele Copen has absolutely done it again! I never dreamed anything could top the perfection of Michele’s first book, A French Bulldog for Every Season; however, The Heart Thieves: Enchanting French Bulldog Puppies comes close. In this book, Michele focuses her amazing eye on Frenchie puppies in all their playful glory. She perfectly captures the irreverent essence of Frenchie puppies in their formative stages...playful, mischievous, sassy, incomparable, and did I say CUTE? 

Michele has captured French Bulldogs at that most endearing of ages...puppyhood. Now you can treasure the joys of puppyhood forever in this delightful book.

 — Kathy Dannel Vitcak, Jackpot! French Bulldogs

I can sum up Michele's new book, The Heart Thieves: Enchanting French Bulldog Puppies, in one word of the title: ENCHANTING. Though this may mean charming, delightful, captivating, and enthralling, here I think it refers to enchantments cast by sorcerers. For the Frenchie puppies shown in this extraordinary book are nothing short of bewitching! Those already under the spell of a Frenchie will recognize the signs of enchantment in these magnificent photos. Whether playing, resting, playing dress-up, or just engaging in puppy busywork, the little heart thieves that Michele has so beautifully captured will remind us why we were ensnared by this breed in the first place.

— Jan Grebe, Past President of the French Bull Dog Club of America
 
 
 

Michele Copen has perfectly captured the whimsical, sassy, irreverent, and oh-so loving charm of the French Bulldog in this stunning book, A French Bulldog for Every Season. In the almost 20 years I have been smitten with Frenchies, no one has ever perfectly photographed French Bulldogs moving, jumping, running, and playing like Michele has. The photographs - the captions, everything is wonderfully done and evokes such a range of emotion. I caught myself smiling, laughing, and even wiping a tear away as I pored over the pages.

Yes, Michele has taken the essence of everything that is French Bulldog and enclosed it within the pages of this treasure. Michele, thank you for this priceless gift to the world of French Bulldogs.

— Kathy Dannel Vitcak, Jackpot! French Bulldogs
 
 
 

Just forget the show photos and studio portraits. Michele Copen has, with this remarkable book, A French Bulldog for Every Season, showed us the proper way to convey Frenchieness in images. Whether eating, sleeping, playing, cuddling, hassling each other, or engaged in any of their other myriad activities, the French Bulldogs in these photographs perfectly illustrate why those of us with Frenchies consider them the best breed of dog in the world. With this book, Michele has given our breed, and our fancy a precious gift and we all owe her our thanks.

— Jan Grebe, Past President of the French Bull Dog Club of America

 
Michele Copen, one of our very talented members has created a book about French Bulldogs called A French Bulldog for Every Season. Let me say her book goes beyond the usual health and care of Frenchies and enters into their own wonderful world through some of the most stunning photos you will ever see. This is definitely a book all Frenchie lovers should have. It’s absolutely beautiful.

— Susan Bunyard, Past President, Northern California French Bulldog Club
 

 

Michele, As always, those photos are just great! I’m not an art critic by any stretch, but I love art or photos that make you FEEL something....and your photos do that. And your photos invariably evoke some kind of emotion......laughing, a feeling of awe, or whatever....and many of them make you want to keep looking at them, which I think is a sign of a great photograph
(or work of art).

— Cheryl Petty, Pettybulls French Bulldogs
 
 

Michele, The photos brought tears to my eyes. It is almost as if my love for my dogs individuality shines thru in each picture, absolutely stunning!! I keep going back and looking at each picture again and again. Thank you.

— Shelley St. John, Robobull French Bulldogs
 
 

I have had the pleasure of accompanying Michele while shooting in our parts of Canada. The resulting pictures have exceeded my expectations, showing off our dogs with amazing details and capturing the essence of their moods and actions. A very exciting perspective on Frenchies!

— Dorit Fischler, DVM of Belboulecan Kennel
 

 
They say an artist’s work is a window to their soul. This book not only presents the beauty and fun loving side of Frenchies but it also clearly reveals the deep love Michele has for the breed. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch her perform magic with her camera. Her gift is the ability to capture these amazing dogs in action and make you “feel” it in the photo. I think it’s very rare to actually be moved by photography talent such as this. When you reach the last page of this book . . .deep sigh!

— Naniece Bucci, Owner, Scraps Dog Company
 
 

 
Michele, It was a treat watching you work. The photos are FABULOUS. You have captured their human side with the expression and movement that makes them such little clowns. Thank you for allowing me and my Frenchies to be a part of your book. Always a friend because of one little Frenchie.

— Marie Anderson, Breezy Brook Farms