Two books penned by an animal lover feature the heartwarming friendship between her disabled cat and blind dog.
Claire Childs, 46, who lives in Wendover fostered her 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 injured by the brutal dog attack that he lost the use of his back legs and tail, and suffered nerve damage.
While Claire feared Peanut may not get on with her blind rescue dog Peps, who himself had been saved from the streets of Egypt by charity ESMA, the pair formed an unlikely bond.
Claire, who works as a fire safety advisor, said: ‘It really was a miracle as I was so worried that 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.’
Peanut has regained some feeling in his legs since being adopted by Claire, but still requires special care – including Claire taking him to sit on the toilet in the bathroom to do his business.
Due to his blindness, Peps also has different requirements than most dogs, needing different training to an able bodied dog. He suffers from mobility problems too.
Claire Childs is pictured with her disabled cat Peanut and blind dog Pep – she has written books about the pair’s unlikely friendship
The two companion animals (pictured) were both adopted – Peanut the cat from Romania and Pep from Egypt
However, according to Claire, she wouldn’t have the pair any other way, and has even written two children’s books about their stories.
According to the author: ‘When we go out on our walks in Wendover Woods 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 that they could never have a disabled pet, but my response is always “why?”
‘Peps doesn’t pull on the lead and needs short walks only so would be perfect for an older person, he is even trained as a PAT [Pets As Therapy] dog.’
She added that some people have suggested that Peanut should be euthanised due to his disabilities.
But, she said: ‘Peanut lives a happy, fulfilled and pain free life, why would we do that?’
According to Claire: ‘I have adapted my life to care for them, but that is the same as you would do for any member of your family.
Claire’s two books about the animals, titled Hi! I’m Peps and Hi! I’m Peanut (pictured) are pictured-based stories
Despite Claire’s fears that the two animals may not get on, they have formed a very close friendship
According to Claire, while having disabled companion animals may seem scary, they ‘don’t cost her anymore than a regular pet at the vet and have pet insurance’
‘They don’t cost me anymore than a regular pet at the vet and have pet insurance, it is not as scary as many people may think.’
Her two books about the animals, titled Hi! I’m Peps and Hi! I’m Peanut are pictured-based stories.
Claire wrote the books in a way that would prompt young people to have conversations with adults about the animals and their disabilities.
She explained: ‘Children are the next generation and they are so curious about everything.
‘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 are available now from Publisher Austin Macauley, priced at £9.99.
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