Leave the Dogs at Home: A Memoir

Claire and Jim were friends, lovers, and sometimes enemies for 27 years. In order to get health insurance, they finally married, calling their anniversary the "It Means Absolutely Nothing" day. Then Jim was diagnosed with cancer. With ever—decreasing odds of survival, punctuated by arcs of false hope, Jim's deteriorating health altered their well—established independence as they became caregiver and patient, sharing intimacy as close as their own breaths. A year and a half into their marria...