Almost Perfect: The book

Okay, time for a little shameless self-promotion. After all, my new book was the reason I started this blog, and I want to make sure you all know about it.

Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them just came out in October from Enspirio House, an imprint of Word Forge Books. This publisher has several different imprints covering many different subject areas, but Enspirio House covers mind/body/spirit topics -- the perfect place for this fantastic collection of 11 essays by veteran authors and fresh new voices from three countries.

The book's doing well -- even got picked up by Target stores online -- and I can't say I'm surprised. These stories have a power all their own, and once you read one, you'll be hooked, because you'll recognize the truth behind every moving tale.

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 and the death sentence of feline leukemia.

Allow yourself to believe once again in the power of the positive, as you read about how loving and caring for "less-than-perfect" pets helps their human counterparts appreciate what it means to be fully alive.

This 128-page book is manageable even in today's hectic schedules, allowing you to read a bit at a time as you find a few moments here and there. It's a refreshing dip into what really matters in life when you feel surrounded--and maybe overwhelmed--by everything else. At $12.95, it makes an affordable gift for the animal lover in your life (even if it's you!).

Sometimes you find the purr, sometimes she finds you!

Following my last post, this one seems appropriate: a very different kind of story about war in the Gulf, and a tiny purr that just wouldn't die. Take one hot desert, mix in one new family and a litter of abandoned kittens, and...well, you'll see.

Bless Ginger for posting Susan Dart's story, Heart of a Lion.

Ideas About Companion Animals

Since the published goal of this blog is to explore how we view companion animals (specifically, disabled ones), I feel this post is germane:

Are you aware that it is the policy of the American military to leave behind any and all animals that have been "adopted" by fighting forces in an occupied region? Despite the fact that these animals provide sometimes the only emotional solace our troops can find, when it's time for the troops to ship out, dogs, cats and other critters are left behind like so much debris, to fend for themselves.
Anyone who shares their lives with companion animals know how much suffering this must cause, for both the animals and those who have grown to love and depend on them. Maybe in the past, this harsh policy was required. But today, with modern vaccines and modern transportation modes, it's a barbaric hangover from another time.

As proven by the shift in policy of the American Red Cross to FINALLY provide shelter for companion animals after the thousands of needless deaths caused when pet owners wouldn't abandon their beloved critters to evacuate for Hurricane Katrina, it's time for a new vision of what decency and humanity mean.

Please take a few moments to let the American military know how you feel about this issue by signing the Care2 petition. You'll be glad you did.

On a related note, there's a great organization whose sole mission is caring for the pets of soldiers who get shipped out. While they're away doing their duty, Guardian Angels become foster caregivers for their companion animals until Mom or Dad come home.

You gotta love Homer!

Gwen Cooper blogs about her blind cat, Homer, at opensalon.com. What a fantastic little guy, what a great story, and what a great mom he has!

Gwen reports she's just sold her story of Homer to Bantam Dell, so let's all watch for that book when it comes out. She's got us on her list, so when she lets me know, I'll let you know it's available.

Meanwhile, why not check out her blog yourself and get to know Gwen and Homer a little better?

Not Completely Disabled...

...but fun and interesting! It's all about Dr. Dick's kittehs at his blog, "Thoughts on a Train."

For those of you who don't know about kittehs, you need to visit I Can Has Cheezburger! No self-respecting cat lover can claim the title without at least an introduction to ICHC and LOLspeak. Enjoy!

Such a small effort to make such a big difference!

Susan Bertrand, one of the contributors to "Almost Perfect," is a volunteer with Angels With Paws, a no-kill shelter. They're in need of funding to continue their important and much-needed work. Please take a moment to vote for them in a contest that could award them $10,000. It'll only take a few minutes, and can do so much good. Thanks!

How cool is this?

Yeah, I found this cool website that sells a very creative set of adjustable wheels for pets that have lost the use of their legs.

Check it out and see how different it is from the carts you may or may not have seen before. Bless the hearts of everyone who works on stuff like this. And here's a story about a pup that's using this wonderful contraption!