HandicappedPets.Net

Yes, that would be it. Kurt Unkelbach's "The Dog in My Life" was a major reason I got my first Lab in 1981.. I'd wanted a Lab ever since reading that book when it was the Scholastic Book Club Book.

Today I got a reply from the publisher about my Almost Perfect review. http://www.amazon.com/review/R21OYQQ3NM ... r_rdp_perm

Did you ever notice how publishers/manufacturers, etc, always tell you that yours was the ONLY defective one of whatever it was and the rest are all perfect? (Sometimes that probably is true, but I have heard it a little too often.) I ordered a calendar which was printed too lightly and yes, the manufacturer replaced it, but no, the replacement was not a lot better than the first one. (It was somewhat better, though.)

Did you end up returning the book or asking for a replacement copy?

No, because I've had a problem with getting Amazon to take back defectives. If it's their fault, like the book that came looking like it had been through a lawnmower, they offered a reduced price instead (which I took). Sometimes they've been known to charge postage for returns, and, frankly, I just didn't want to deal with it.

I, too, find it amazing that only 1 book out of a bazillion missed its trip through the glue machine. Agreed it COULD happen, but it doesn't seem all that likely to me...

My biggest problem with the book, though, was the choice of verbage. As the parent, I found the use of such words as "abnormal" terribly offensive.

I think I'll try this one in my next order. http://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Dog ... rhf_shvl_2

I have that one; don't bother. Want mine, I'll send it to you. You might like it better than I did. PM me your address.

Incoming, as soon as I can get Earthlink to cooperate.

Oh, Bobbie-- http://www.amazon.com/Tail-Rugby-Jones- ... 619&sr=1-1

Thanks, I ordered it! Will let you know what I think.

If anybody can evaluate this one, it's you!

The Tail of Rugby Jones by Claudia Broome

This is a story about Rugby, a Pembroke Welsh corgi that has a back injury. It’s written for children, something that could be read aloud to young children or read by older children (I think it would appeal to about 4-10.)

The story is told in Rugby’s voice, and he explains how he came to live on the farm, about the other dogs and horses and the cat, and his life before the accident. Then he is injured when playing with a larger dog and becomes a paraplegic. He is very sad because he can’t walk and play, until his mom gets him a wheelchair. Then he has to learn to walk again and get strong so he can run.

This would be a great story for young children who know a disabled corgi (or any dog.) It’s also a good story for children to let them know that disabilities can be overcome.

What it isn’t: it isn’t really about the particulars of being a disabled corgi. While the author describes Rugby’s learning to use the cart, there is nothing about the specific challenges he faces. We don’t learn whether Rugby is continent or not, for example, and we learn nothing about ramps and other aids to help him. That’s okay; that isn’t the focus of the book, but its important to know that it won’t help someone else to rehabilitate their corgi. What it does do, though, is show that there IS life after a back injury.

It's a charming book, with cute photos for illustrations, and a nice addition to the literature about disabled animals. It isn't what I'd really like to see, which would be a book from the owner's perspective.

Nice review, Bobbie!

I LOVE Extraordinary Dogs!!! I'm off to write a 5-star review for it now. Most of the stories are very short, and a wide variety of disabilities are represented, including DM, spinal cord injury, deaf, blind, and deaf-blind. The stories flow together nicely, and I wasn't offended by "alternative descriptions" of disabilities.

http://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Duck-Laura- ... 877&sr=1-1

Lemon the Duck by Laura Backman. It's a children's picture book with absolutely gorgeous artwork. It's a true story, the duck has a neurological problem and can't stand or sit up.

Karen- http://www.amazon.com/Scent-Missing-Par ... r-mr-title Susannah's deaf-blind Pommie has a big role in raising Puzzle, the SAR-dog-to-be. The book was SO funny in that the misadventures in her house sound much like ours, and I literally laughed until I cried at the china cupboard bit.