How Comet Got His Groove Back

Here's a heartwarming story on YouTube about Comet, a golden retriever that lost the use of his back legs, but regained his mobility through a unique partnership between his vet, students from a local school, and the generosity of HandicappedPets.com.

Just another example of what can happen when people care enough to do something, and not unlike Inspiration In Our Midst: Ruby, the fabulous cover story in Almost Perfect. Ruby's unflagging spirit and undeniable joy in living inspired many who knew her, and the unique LabraDobe stars in a true story you'll not soon forget.

Yet more good news!

Sadly, animals can and do become "less than perfect" through their treatment at the hands of human beings. Though nothing can ever really restore an animal's full trust once damaged, there are happily programs to help make up for it. Here's one to read about.

Finally! Some Good News from the Gulf

Back on Nov. 5, I posted about the American military's policy of leaving behind "adopted" pets in war zones. Now, thanks to one of the contributors to Almost Perfect, I can pass on this wonderful followup to this story. Very heartening, indeed.

It's just the way he rolls...

See, y'all -- kewl karts aren't just for dogs! Check out this great vid of Woolly the Rabbit and his homemade wheels. I'm guessing this would get the Flyin' Ruby Stamp of Approval!

Dog-A-Blog!

Two of my fellow contributors to Almost Perfect were interviewed this week, and I want to share these great audiocasts with you!

Cheryl Caruolo, who wrote about a friend's special relationship with Krieg, a special German Shepherd, appeared on November 14th's episode of "The Booth." This unique show describes itself as ""Imagine sitting in bar next to a booth with 4-5 guys chatting away about anything & everything, and once in a while a friend or two stops by to hang out." The show features Keith "Sinista1" Hayes, Czman and Ken "Diesel" Diesenhof, and is heard on WXBR 1460 AM out of their Brockton studios 20 miles south of Boston, Mass.

Yeah, you have to get through a bit of frat boy-type stuff first, but the hosts are gracious and interested, and it's worth the wait to hear Cheryl talk about her involvement in our little project. Check it out!

Vicki Tiernan wrote about her life with Ruby, an irrepressible LabraDobe mix who lost the use of her back legs to a degenerative muscle disease. She was interviewed on Nov. 18th by host Joanne Greene on the Good Dog! podcast. Scroll down to the Nov. 18 entry, and click on "Inspirational Dogs with Disabilities" for almost 13 minutes of interesting and informative entertainment.

Both authors give good ear: They're poised, eloquent, and passionate about their subjects.

Enjoy!

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.