To all our lovely owners, who think that we can't speak, who think we only bark or growl, miaow, or squawk, or squeak. We do indeed have voices, we use them all the time. At the legendary Pet Poets Club, the home of rhythm and rhyme.

The prose printed above is believed to be the very first ever piece of poetry written by The Pet Poets Club. Accurate dating has not proved possible, but it is believed the text dates from somewhere around the time of the English civil war of the 17th Century, and was composed by a trio of King Charles Spaniels – possibly the king’s very own. For hundreds of years since the club has survived and indeed prospered, through many times of human upheaval and change. It’s amazing to think that for over 300 years, this organisation of bards has kept itself hidden from the human world – but indeed it has.

Now the secret is out! A chance encounter with a black Labrador and a tape cassette in 1976, set Marc Todd on an amazing journey that culminated, early in 2006 with the discovery of The Pet Poets Club.

And what a charming bunch of individuals they turned out to be! Marc was welcomed in their inner sanctum (a shed in a very secret location), and was subsequently invited to transcribe their wonderful poetry, so that it could be shared with the world. The Pet Poets Club Volume 1, published September 2006 is the direct result of that collaboration.

How was Marc able to decipher the voices of the pets? Well, that will have to remain a secret for now, but all will be revealed in the fullness of time.

The Pet Poets Club hope you enjoy reading their work – and welcome any correspondence you wish to send them. They would also love to read any of your poetry – or indeed your pet’s poetry that you might like to send them.