THREE PAWS
Have you ever seen an animal with three legs? Have you wondered: how does the poor creature manage? The loss of a leg, and the wonderful ways in which a smart cat adapts, fill the pages of the heart-warming story THREE PAWS.
—John Paine, Editor
Three Paws is the story of Sophia, our Maine Coon Cat. At a very young age she developed a serious problem, a medical condition that required the amputation of a rear leg. It was traumatic for our family at the time.
But animals are animals, and do not dwell on mishaps or setbacks.
Sophia recovered and it wasn’t long before she adapted to having three legs, using her tail as a sort of counterweight and rudder. She could jump, balance and trot quickly. It was easy for us to forget her disability.
My stepmother Kim thought Sophia’s story of triumph over adversity would make for a good children’s’ book, and I set to work. Two drafts followed, then the published book in 2018.
I like to think that there are parallels between Sophia of Three Paws and young people on the autistic spectrum; both are different from others. Both must learn to navigate a world that is difficult, even unfriendly, but both will also find love and encouragement in family and friends.
And most of all, never give up:
There are always difficulties. The ground will be hard, the river far away, the stars remote. There are always obstacles. That is what accomplishment is about. It is earned, often by the day, by the hour, or by single steps. It’s definitely not suddenly bestowed like a gift on Christmas morning. There will be frustration and failure. That is guaranteed.
The runner may stumble; she may tire sooner than expected and be forced to slow her pace. Others may pass. However, she does not give up. She does not quit, even though there is no guarantee of success. She tries, despite everything, because even to fail is not a failure. True failure is when the runner decides that the goal is not worth the race.
—Three Paws, pg. 25
Three Paws is available through Amazon
Guest Client Blogger: Mike Minnis
Have you ever seen an animal with three legs? Have you wondered: how does the poor creature manage? The loss of a leg, and the wonderful ways in which a smart cat adapts, fill the pages of the heart-warming story THREE PAWS.
—John Paine, Editor
Three Paws is the story of Sophia, our Maine Coon Cat. At a very young age she developed a serious problem, a medical condition that required the amputation of a rear leg. It was traumatic for our family at the time.
But animals are animals, and do not dwell on mishaps or setbacks.
Sophia recovered and it wasn’t long before she adapted to having three legs, using her tail as a sort of counterweight and rudder. She could jump, balance and trot quickly. It was easy for us to forget her disability.
My stepmother Kim thought Sophia’s story of triumph over adversity would make for a good children’s’ book, and I set to work. Two drafts followed, then the published book in 2018.
I like to think that there are parallels between Sophia of Three Paws and young people on the autistic spectrum; both are different from others. Both must learn to navigate a world that is difficult, even unfriendly, but both will also find love and encouragement in family and friends.
And most of all, never give up:
There are always difficulties. The ground will be hard, the river far away, the stars remote. There are always obstacles. That is what accomplishment is about. It is earned, often by the day, by the hour, or by single steps. It’s definitely not suddenly bestowed like a gift on Christmas morning. There will be frustration and failure. That is guaranteed.
The runner may stumble; she may tire sooner than expected and be forced to slow her pace. Others may pass. However, she does not give up. She does not quit, even though there is no guarantee of success. She tries, despite everything, because even to fail is not a failure. True failure is when the runner decides that the goal is not worth the race.
—Three Paws, pg. 25
Three Paws is available through Amazon
Guest Client Blogger: Mike Minnis