Claire Childs, cat Peanut and dog Peps (Image: SX pics)
A woman who adopted a blind dog and a lame cat has written two children’s books about her beloved pets to teach youngsters about disability.
Claire Childs fostered ginger kitten Peanut in September 2021, after he struggled to find a home due to his severe disability.
The Romanian rescue cat, who was saved by Sirius Animal Rescue, was so badly injured in a brutal dog attack that he lost the use of his back legs and tail, and suffered severe nerve damage.
But Claire, 46, from Wendover, Bucks, was worried the traumatised moggy may not take to her blind rescue dog Peps.
Peps had been saved from the streets of Egypt and homed with Claire by the Miracle’s Mission Charity in June 2021.
The books are available now (Image: NC)
Luckily the pair have since formed an unlikely bond and have become the inspiration for Claire’s children’s books “Hi, I’m Peps” and “Hi, I’m Peanut” published last month.
Claire said: “I was so worried Peanut would be frightened of Peps, but he was so curious about him straight away, and before long they were curled up together. They really are best friends and maybe they have bonded over the adversities they have both faced.”
Claire, who works as a fire safety adviser, said Peanut has even managed to regain some feeling in his legs. But he is unable to use a litter tray so part of his daily care routine involves Claire taking him to sit on the toilet in the bathroom.
Likewise, blind Peps has also needed different training, and suffers from mobility problems, but Claire says she wouldn’t have them any other way.
“When we go out on our walks everyone knows Peps – some people don’t know my name but they know him.
“Lots of people, especially children, have questions, so I decided to write the books as a way to tell their stories, but also show that disability is not something to be afraid of.
“A lot of people think they could never have a disabled pet, but my response is always ‘why?’. Peps doesn’t pull on the lead and only needs short walks so would be perfect for an older person.
“Peanut lives a happy, fulfilled and pain-free life and I have adapted my life to care for them, as you would for any member of your family.
“They don’t cost me any more than a regular pet at the vet and have insurance. It is not as scary as many people may think.”
“I didn’t shy away from the facts in the books, and this will hopefully prompt conversations about Peps and Peanut with their parents too.”
● Hi! I’m Peps and Hi! I’m Peanut available now from Publisher Austin Macauley, priced at £9.99.