Everyone loves a story about well-muscled retrievers barreling after thrown balls or elegant, longhaired cats commanding the attention of all in a room. But what about those less fortunate companion animals, whose experiences have robbed them of the wholeness of their “perfect” pet peers? After all, it’s easy to be happy when life has been safe, kind and protected, but it takes a special kind of critter to triumph over brutal circumstances that would make most people give up.

In Almost Perfect, eleven writers share true tales of courage, ingenuity, perseverance and inspiration on the part of companion animals that have become disabled either through birth defects or injury.

Meet Simon, a three-legged barn cat whose indomitable spirit and unquenchable purr propels him through an unbelievable string of difficulties. And Cagney, a severely crippled rat who serves as muse to a surprised grad student.

Then there’s Pink, a Mexican Hairless dog with remarkable healing powers. You may laugh, you may cry, but you’ll certainly never forget these heartwarming stories of animals who have overcome physical handicaps to live happy, productive lives that enrich those of their human companions.