A Thanksgiving Miracle: New Book Highlights Inspiring Disabled Pet Stories

"Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them," the new title from independent publisher Word Forge Books, is the first book solely devoted to this subject. Eleven true-life stories by authors from three countries bring hopeful messages about humans inspired by the courage and spirit of the handicapped animals they welcome into their hearts and homes. Anchoring the collection is "A Thanksgiving Miracle" by editor Mary A. Shafer, the story of how a blind kitten she adopted beat the mean streets of Philadelphia to become the author's constant companion and official mascot of the publishing house.

Ferndale, Pa. (PRWEB) November 23, 2008 -- When author Mary Shafer adopted a rescued kitten, she had no idea it would change her career…and her whole life. But that's just what happened, and she writes about the experience in "A Thanksgiving Miracle," her essay in "Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them."

The book is newly released from Enspirio House, an imprint of Bucks County, Pa., publisher Word Forge Books. The softcover book, an anthology of thought-provoking and inspirational stories by eleven writers from three countries, retails for $12.95. Contributors hail from American hometowns such as San Francisco, the Boston area, metro Baltimore and suburban Denver, as well as two Canadian provinces and a Greek island. Shafer also edited the collection, which she calls a pioneering title. "As far as I know," she says, "it's the only book on the market that's solely devoted to stories of disabled pets."

Shafer's contribution is about Idgie, a tiny kitten born without eyes and left to die on a city sidewalk. Its title derives from the story's improbable ending. "It's a true story, as are all the pieces in this anthology," Shafer says. "And it really did happen just days before Thanksgiving."

"It" is the process by which Idgie beat the mean streets of Philadelphia to become the author's constant companion and official mascot of Word Forge Books. "It's the kind of story you almost can't believe, yet you're so very glad it's true," admits Shafer. It was the hope and inspiration embodied by Idgie's story that led the author to invite other writers to submit their own stories to join hers in an anthology.

"As the owner of several disabled pets, I realized the innate courage these creatures display in simply living their everyday lives. I find it tremendously inspiring and wanted to share that with our readers. Having searched unsuccessfully for a book like this myself, I thought it was time we created one. We're pleased to offer such a well-written and heartwarming collection in a time when hopeful messages are so needed."

Readers of "Almost Perfect" will follow the lives of nearly a dozen amazing animals who--through birth or injury--have been rendered "less than perfect," and of the humans who love and welcome them into their hearts and homes. These engaging stories pull readers in, allowing them to share the immeasurable rewards their subjects have found.

The book shares the courage of Colbi, a blind Alaskan Husky mix, who trades a hellish life in a puppy mill for the challenges of life on a wide-open farm. Inspiration comes from Ruby, the irrepressible Labrador-Doberman mix who adapts to a devastating muscle-eating disease by learning to literally roll with the punches. Cagney, a paraplegic rat, provides companionship and plays the muse to his human "mom" while she struggles through her Master's thesis. Joyous and graceful Tux, a handsome black-and-white cat, navigates a life of almost complete paralysis, while showing his human friend what it means to be truly alive.

"'Almost Perfect' is the ideal book to remind us of the meaning of Thanksgiving," Shafer says. "Readers can't help but look at their own lives in contrast to those of the animals in these stories, and see how very much they have to be thankful for." The book offers a hopeful look at relations between the species through true, uplifting stories of animals who have overcome physical handicaps to inspire their human companions.

Interested readers can learn more about the book at its website, www.almostperfectbook.com. Shafer blogs on the subject at http://www.almostperfectpets.blogspot.com. The book is available from booksellers and through the publisher's website at www,wordforgebooks.com.

High-resolution, print-ready photos of the book's cover, the editor and other contributors are downloadable at http://www.wordforgebooks.com/almostperfect/pressroom.html.

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