Wet Pets and Other Watery Tales

The Book:

Introduction

This book is a labor of love by two volunteers for the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League (CRARL) located in Rockport, Maine. It is a collection of stories written by people who are animal lovers at heart and whose pets have enriched their lives. The stories, no matter how short or how long, are loving tributes to cherished furry companions (or feathered friends) who have shared watery locations, waterborne adventures, or a special liking for water in environments where other features of terrain and climate may predominate.

The stories also represent a willingness to contribute time and effort to a project that will benefit those residents in our local, no-kill animal shelter who are awaiting adoption into homes that are as nurturing as those reflected in these tales. All proceeds from the sale of this book will go directly toward programs designed to enhance their well-being.

The stories were collected over a period of several years that must have seemed endless to our contributors. The authors stayed with us through all the trials and tribulations of a wholly volunteer project. E-mails and other correspondence went back and forth. Questions were asked and answered. Stories were sometimes expanded or rearranged or even slightly condensed, but approval of their final form rested with the authors.

Photographs were retrieved from storage boxes and albums and loaned to us to illustrate the unique character and appearance of the pets involved. Pictures of some were not available, but, through their owners' words, they have come to life in our imaginations.

Some of the pets described in this collection lived many years ago. Others are very much alive as we go to press. In several instances we received word of the death of a beloved companion whose personality and behavior had been affectionately described in a story. On these occasions we shared with our author friends their terrible sense of loss.

Now, we acknowledge how glad we are that the pets whose stories are included will become known and appreciated by others. By contributing to a worthwhile cause on behalf of stray, neglected, abused, and abandoned creatures, the authors of the stories have also contributed lasting memorials to their own unique companions. We thank them all.

The entire project has been a grand adventure, and we are pleased to offer this collection for your enjoyment.