Mattie, Milo, and Me, Anne Abel
Mattie, Milo, and Me, Anne Abel
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Mattie, Milo, and Me
A Memoir

Author: Anne Abel

Narrator: Jen Jacob, George Hahn

Unabridged: 7 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/23/2024

Synopsis

Anne grew up in an abusive home, leading to severe depression and a determination to do better as a mother. One of her sons wants a dog from the time he is a baby; Anne very much does not. For years she appeases him with creatures who live in cages and tanks, but on his tenth birthday she can no longer say no—and she proceeds to fall in love with their new four-legged family member, Mattie. Then Mattie dies a sudden and tragic death, and Anne feels herself begin to sink back into depression. Trying to cope, she immediately adopts Milo—a dog who, unbeknownst to her, has already been returned to the rescue by several families due to his aggressive behavior. But even after she realizes Milo is dangerous, she’s committed to trying to give him a chance at a good life. Anne’s journey takes the reader from dog school into the deep woods as she perseveres with Milo’s lifelong rehabilitation and her unwavering efforts to be a good mother to her sons. Working with Milo strengthens Anne and expands her ability to love. Ten years later, when Milo dies, Anne faces another choice: close the door to that part of her heart, or risk loving another dog after two tragic losses?

About Anne Abel

Anne Abel’s story about unwittingly rescuing an aggressive dog, Milo, won a Moth StorySLAM in New York City. She has won two additional Moth StorySLAMs in Chicago. Her credentials include an MFA from The New School for Social Research, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS in chemical engineering from Tufts University. She has freelanced for Lilith; Philadelphia Daily News; The Jewish Exponent; Philadelphia Weekly, Main Line Life and Main Line Today, and formerly wrote a weekly column, “The Homefront,” for Main Line Welcomat. She also taught English and creative writing at the Community College of Philadelphia. Anne lives in New York City with her husband, Andy, and their three rescue dogs, Ryan, Megan, and Chase.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Chelsea (gofetchabook) on December 01, 2024

Do you want a book that will make you sob like a baby over your dog for an entire afternoon? This was such a beautifully written and engrossing memoir about love and loss and learning to grow together and love again. The book opens with Anne’s beloved and well behaved dog, Mattie being killed in a t......more

Goodreads review by Helen on May 18, 2024

Wonderful book. Ann is an abused child who tries very hard and succeeds mostly to overcome her subsequent depression. Dogs give her purpose and love. It’s wonderful and touching.......more

Goodreads review by Air on May 14, 2024

This book is so important and it really exposes exactly how it feels to grow up in an un-loving home full of chaos and destruction. It shines a beautiful yet sad light on how it feels to be a grown up product of that with kids who now rely on you in the ways you always needed as well. Dogs are gorge......more

Goodreads review by Emily on March 26, 2024

I have just started reading a book kindly provided by its author. I had no expectations for this book, and I'm generally a very slow reader who falls asleep at the beginning of a page. I told myself - you should read at least two pages and that will be enough... and after a couple of hours, I find m......more

Goodreads review by Cara on April 04, 2024

Heartwarming memoir about losing the perfect dog and then adopting a difficult dog and persevering. I learned some training tricks, but mostly I admired this woman who didn’t give up. I was captivated by this story illustrating the power dogs have to teach us about our own hearts.......more

Quotes

Abel debuts with a heart-warming memoir spotlighting the intense bond between dogs and their owners. . . . Animal lovers will relish the central role that Abel’s pets play in her wellbeing throughout the narrative.

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