Mattie, Milo, and Me

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.

I loved this book. Devoured it. Read it in a day. As an animal lover and mom to four furry, four-legged children, I could 100% relate with her feelings of elation as well as anguish as she navigated the highs and lows of living with her dogs.

My family was in a situation much like Anne’s: a child repeatedly asked for a dog, we repeatedly put her off for years, then COVID happened and we relented. We did a ton of research and ended up with the sweetest Shih Tzu, a dog who is nearly identical to Mattie in temperament. So, I fully felt everything she felt when describing Mattie and the tragic way in which she was taken from them.

I loved reading about Anne’s resilience with Milo, as I’m not so sure I would have been able to continue to work with him after he’d bitten two of my children but, like Anne, I don’t think I would have been able to send him back either. I just felt very immersed in Anne’s world and would happily read a follow up about her life with any future dogs. A must-read for animal lovers.

I feel so seen, having read this book. I have my very own Milo and my god.. I've never before seen someone describe that wonderful, awfully complicated and frustrataing journey it is to have a large dog that tends towards agression.
I'm very happy I read this book.
Any dog lover/dog owner would, in my opinion, love to read this book. At its core, it's about the deep love we feel for our dogs and the lengths we are willing to go in order to make them happy.

In “Mattie, Milo, and Me,” Anne Abel invites readers into her world—a world shaped by love, loss, and the unwavering bond between humans and their canine companions. This raw and introspective memoir chronicles Anne’s transformative relationships with two remarkable dogs: Mattie and Milo.

Anne’s journey begins in an abusive home, where she battles severe depression. Determined to break the cycle, she becomes a mother—one of her sons yearning for a dog, while Anne herself is less enthusiastic about the idea. But fate intervenes, and Mattie enters their lives. A four-legged family member who steals Anne’s heart, Mattie becomes a beacon of hope and healing.

Tragedy strikes when Mattie dies suddenly, plunging Anne back into the depths of depression. Yet, amidst the darkness, she discovers Milo—a dog with a troubled past, returned to the rescue by several families due to his aggressive behavior. Anne’s commitment to giving Milo a chance at redemption becomes her lifeline. Together, they embark on a journey of rehabilitation, trust, and resilience.

Mattie, Milo, and Me is more than a tale of dogs; it’s a testament to the human spirit. Anne’s unwavering determination to be a good mother to her sons mirrors her unwavering commitment to Milo’s well-being. As she navigates dog school, deep woods, and the complexities of canine behavior, Anne’s own transformation unfolds. Milo becomes her mirror, reflecting strength, vulnerability, and the capacity to love unconditionally.

I loved the authenticity of Anne’s writing. It felt introspective and heart-wrenchingly honest. She doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, allowing readers to connect deeply with her experiences. I resonated with the how the book explores resilience in the face of loss, atonement, and the healing power of the human-animal bond.

Prepare to laugh, cry, and hug your own dog as you turn the pages. Anne’s joys and struggles are relatable, touching the core of our shared humanity.

"Mattie, Milo, and Me" is a beautifully written memoir that celebrates the profound connection between people and their furry companions. Whether you’re a pet lover seeking comfort or simply appreciate a moving story, this book will leave you teary-eyed and inspired.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a great book! I ended up starting this book while I was on a city bus and ended it on a bus again. I could barely contain my tears.
This book really shows how dogs can make such a huge impact on our lives. And the time and attention paid to a dog who is out of control to turn them into a mostly perfect dog.
I recommend this book to all dog lovers.

This is a story about rescuing, and being rescued, of love and loss, and loss once again, and of finding the strength to love once again. A story of growing up in a home where she wasn’t loved or wanted, and was abused emotionally by her parents even after she married, and had a family of her own.

This story begins with a heartbreaking and tragic loss, one that will impact her whole family. In the years leading up to this, Anne had never wanted a dog, but one of her sons has been wanting a dog since he was very young, and she finally gives in on his tenth birthday. Enter Mattie. This is when and who she finds a new kind of love. With Mattie. Years pass, the children are now older, and one day there’s a tragic accident, and Mattie dies. Anne knows herself, how easily depression can pull her in, and so she decides to adopt another dog, Milo.

Once Milo enters her life, she begins to see how aggressive he is, but unlike the others who Milo had been temporarily adopted by, only to be returned, she is determined to help him any and every way that she can.

She brings him to a dog training school, which is a long and winding road, as Milo isn’t really interested in being rehabilitated. Eventually her determination, despite the frustration as she begins this journey, her belief in Milo is eventually rewarded. But, as we know, the life of a dog is all too brief, and when she is faced with that loss once more, she wonders if she is willing, able to risk another broken heart.


Pub Date: 23 Apr 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by She Writes Press

I truly cannot find the words for this book. There is so much feeling in these pages, from joy to sorrow, and you feel it all right along with the author. I find her to be such a strong person, with all she has been through in her life, that I am surprised she fought against feelings of not being good enough. This book tells the story of those feelings, brought on by her parents, and her constant struggle to please them. But the story does not dwell on this. There is just enough story about her and just enough story about her and her dogs. I feel that it is not a dog centered book for those who might not read it because they think that. The author didn't want to get a dog, But her son did. And so they do. And from then on, her life is changed. I thank NetGalley and She Writes Press for the amazing advance read.

Sweet sweet book. Have tissues.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.