Matthew Phillips

Sharon Sakson

There is nothing a twenty-one-year-old man at his first job in New York City needs more than a good mentor, although few of them find one. But author Matthew Phillips found the wild, impetuous, and knowledgeable Marylou Stern. The years Matt spent with Marylou were filled with parties, sex, excess, frivolity, live cows, kidnapped Jewish jewelers, and games that stretch the imagination. In this memoir, Phillips shares his story of how Marylou, a former model, dancer, and actress, transformed him from an eager, fresh-faced college grad into a sidelines player in chic New York society. Over the course of three years, Marylou taught Matt about New York City, high society, the difference between class and low class, how to make a genuine egg cream, how to milk a cow, why wanton sex is good for your health, why listening is more important than talking, that Sara Lee Vanilla Layer Cakes are the best reward, and that you must never put up with thieves. In Everything but Snakes, Phillips narrates how Marylou's undying sense of celebration kept him going and gave him a floor beneath his feet and, along the way, an upside-down roller-coaster ride.

The Story of an Impossibly Glamorous, Manipulative, Sex-Obsessed, New York City High-Society Matron

Everything But Snakes

Seamlessly weaving scientific research with compelling narrative, "Paws & Effect" tells incredibly moving stories of beloved pets who have supported their people through periods of ill health and other crises--with miraculous results.

The Healing Power of Dogs

Paws & Effect

Mary A. Shafer

Susan Bertrand

Crystal Parsons

In a world that reveres perfection and disdains anything less, most of us realize that nothing and no one can truly measure up. Yet, when it comes to choosing companion animals, most folks won’t settle for less. These stories are about those animals who, through birth or injury, have been rendered less than perfect, and the humans who found love enough to welcome them into their hearts and homes. Almost Perfect allows you to share the immeasurable rewards those people have found. Learn what courage really is from Colbi, a blind Alaskan Husky, as he trades a hellish life in a puppy mill for the challenges of farm living. Be inspired by Ruby, the irrepressible Labrador-Doberman mix who adapts to a devastating, muscle-eating disease by learning to truly roll with the punches. Follow Cagney, the paraplegic rat, who struggles along with his human mom through her Master’s thesis. Be inspired by the joy and grace with which Tux, a handsome black-and-white cat, navigates a life of almost complete paralysis. Root for tiny, blind Idgie to beat the mean streets of Philadelphia to become a Thanksgiving miracle kitten. Give yourself permission to believe once more as you enjoy these true and heartwarming stories of animals that have overcome physical handicaps to share happy, full lives with their human companions.

Sharon Sakson

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