Afterglow (a dog memoir)

About this book

"A ravishingly strange and gorgeous book about a dog thats really about life and everything there isastonishing." Helen Macdonald New York Times-bestselling author of H Is for Hawk In 1990 poet Eileen Myles chose Rosie from a litter of pit bulls on the street and their connection instantly became central to the writers life and work. During the course of their sixteen years together Myles was madly devoted to the dogs well-being especially in her final days. Starting from the emptiness following Rosies death Afterglow launches a heartfelt and fabulist investigation into the true nature of the bond between pet and pet owner. Through this lens we witness Myless experiences with intimacy and spirituality celebrity and politics alcoholism and recovery fathers and family history as well as the fantastical myths we spin to get to the heart of grief. Moving from an imaginary talk show where Rosie is interviewed by Myless childhood puppet to a critical reenactment of the night Rosie mated with another pit bull from lyrical transcriptions of their walks to Rosies enlightened narration from the afterlife Afterglow illuminates all that it can mean when we dedicate our existence to a dog. "Myles gets at something no other dog book Ive read has gotten at quite this distinctly: The sense of wordless connection and spiritual expansion you feel when you love and are loved by a creature whos not humanraw and affecting." Maureen Corrigan Fresh Air NPR