Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them

by Mary A. Shafer, Susan Bertrand, Sharon Sakson

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 to become a Thanksgiving miracle kitten. Give yourself permission to believe once more as you enjoy these true and heartwarming stories of animals that have overcome physical handicaps to share happy, full lives with their human companions.

Genres: Anthologies, Animals, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2008

About the author

Author, speaker, teacher, marketing consultant and full time nomad. Mary writes and speaks on subjects ranging from marketing, writing and publishing to history, weather, metal detecting, the nomad life, and pets. She lives and works from her travel trailer in various locations in America. Her works include "Wisconsin: The Way We Were" (1993); "Rural America: A Pictorial Folk Memory" (1995); "Devastation on the Delaware: Stories and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955" (2005); "Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them" (2008); and "Metal Detecting for Beginners: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started" (2014). Learn more: http://www.maryshafer.com."

Reviews

[Pamela Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heart warming book about people who love and care for all types of pets with disabilities, from birth defects to injuries, moved me. I found myself caught up in every short tale of love and acceptance and rejoicing over each life. The life lessons this little volume contains are numerous. It is a book that can be read by older children and adults alike. Wonderful.

[Mandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was lovely and some of the stories made me and my daughter cry! Lovely pictures of the pets.so heartwarming.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of true-life stories about pets with disabilities, written by the people who loved them.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming collection of essays for the true animal lover. A few even made me cry. Some debut authors writing their first pieces are featured. Lovely and quick read.

[Lori]

from author/publisher