Rex and the City
A Memoir of a Woman, a Man and the Rescue Dog Who Rescued Their Relationship
"Hands-down the best human-with-dog memoir you will ever read!" —THE BARK MAGAZINE
In this rich, humorous and insightful memoir, critically-acclaimed author Lee Harrington shares her story of love, loss, dysfunctional relationships, and the shelter dog who put things right.
In 1997, New York City hipsters Lee and Ed were at a crossroads. Money was tight, their careers were floundering, their apartment was tiny, and their relationship, frankly, was dysfunctional. Then, on a fateful day in August, they decided on impulse to visit a nearby animal shelter, just to "look at" dogs. In a split-second decision that would change their lives, they brought home Wallace. They quickly realized that this spaniel mix was more than they could handle—he was aggressive, fearful of humans, and seemingly untrainable. Faced with overwhelming new responsibilities, the couple bickered constantly, worried incessantly, and disagreed on nearly every aspect of how to handle the dog. But the one thing they could agree on was that they loved Wallace. And slowly but surely, this love helped transform both the dog and their relationship. And thus, by rescuing an abused spaniel, they ended up rescuing themselves.
Funny and heartfelt, this memoir chronicles a couple's changing outlook on their relationship, on their city, and on life through Wallace: a rambunctious, energetic and complicated shelter dog who was transformed by love. And by life in New York City.
REX AND THE CITY will resonate with everyone who has ever loved their four-legged friend.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to animal rescue organizations.
•Long considered the first and foremost author of the “dogoir” movement, LEE HARRINGTON has inspired, mentored, and edited some of the most prominent dog writers of our day. She serves as a literary editor, columnist, and book reviewer at Bark Magazine and has thrice been named the “Best Humor Writer” by the Dog Writers’ Association of America. Her hugely popular and influential column “Rex and the City” has been appearing in Bark since 2000. She is known for her keen intelligence, sharp wit, unflinching honestly, and touching and profound insights. She is also famous for the elegance of her prose, and for her uncanny ability to tell a story and tell it well.
•A prolific author with a wide range of interests, Lee is currently working on several books: a literary novel, "The Expatriates’ Guide to Heartbreak"; a second volume of Rex and the City; a young-adult fantasy fiction series; and a memoir about living at a Buddhist Retreat center with the working title "In Tents." She is also writing a screenplay loosely based on two short stories by Edith Wharton. She teaches creative writing at New York University.
•Lee is also a sound healer, kirtan walli, and lead singer in various rock bands. Also an aspiring songwriter, she is currently writing and recording her first album, which is based on characters, themes, lines, and deleted scenes from her forthcoming novel: "The Expatriates’ Guide to Heartbreak."
