Everything's Just Ducky!

Here's a great "up" ending to the year: the story of Lemon the Duck. Lemon is a crested Pekin. He was born with neurological issues which affect his coordination and balance. He is unable to stand or walk on his own, but he has a sling, a scooter, and other ways to get around. He grew up in a classroom and with his teacher friend, Laura, so he's an imprinted duck. He just loves people, especially children.

Don't feel sorry for this duck, though -- he has a great life! He goes for rides in his baby carriage, to work every day with Laura and home with her every night. He receives lots of love and attention.

Lemon has had loads of adventures---and consequently so has Laura. He's been to the mall (many times), outdoor concerts, a powwow, camping, to the dentist, the grocery store (shhh), to New Hampshire to swim in the Saco river, canoe trips, and so many other places.


You can learn lots more about Lemon, and the book Laura wrote about him, at his website.

The TIMES, They Are A-Changin'

That's right, folks: The L.A. Times, to be exact! Almost Perfect got a real nice write-up on "L.A. Unleashed," the blog from LA Times editor Alice Short. Thanks, Alice!

And that bit of exposure got our little book noticed by the people at Purina, where it was mentioned on their Purina Pet Charts. We made the #1 spot on their Top Stories column at what Purina calls "The Definitive Guide to the Best Pet Stuff Online."

Did somebody say, "Happy Holidays?" And speaking of:

Props to Sarah McLachlan, who is currently appearing in TV spots supporting the SPCA in America and Canada (British Columbia version shown here).

More than ever this year, with the economy kicking people out of their homes, many pets are also being made homeless and are ending up in already-overcrowded shelters. With everyone tightening their belts now, potential adopting families are harder to find than ever, so it's a grim outlook for many of these dear animals who have landed -- alone, afraid and confused -- at these places of last resort through no misdeed of their own.

Please encourage your friends, family and co-workers to consider adopting a shelter pet, or at least donating to this very worthwhile organization. Without the people who run and work at the SPCA, far fewer "almost perfect" pets would live to find loving homes as ours did. Bless the beasts and the children.

Meowy Christmas and Happy Mew Year, everyone - Woof!

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!).

Vive la difference!

Looks matter. We'd like to think it's not true, but if that were so, there would be no bazillion-dollar fashion industry, no cosmetics or acne medications industry, no weight-loss industry, fewer re-designs of automobiles every year, and covers wouldn't be what sell books. But there are, and they do.

Our higher selves would like to believe that what's inside is what matters, whether we're talking about people or products...or pets. We want to be people who can see past the surface to inner beauty. But the fact is, we care—deeply—how things look. And that can keep us from connecting with a lot of good things in life.

This blog examines one facet of that reality: the tendency of most people to shy away from choosing animals that have been damaged in some way to be our pets, and what happens to those who manage to get past the fear of the different to welcome these critters into their lives.

I've edited and have an essay in a new book about this subject, titled Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them.


The book celebrates the joy and inspiration "less-than-perfect" animals have brought into the lives of eleven authors in three countries. I'm hoping these stories spark honest discussion—and maybe even change—about prevailing attitudes concerning what makes a perfect pet, and the intrinsic value of these animals. I'm providing this blog as a place for people who care to connect and discuss these ideas. Welcome, and thanks for taking the time to consider this issue.