We LOVE Our Furry, Feathered, and Finned Friends!

To round out EMU’s Debuts’ launch of Donna Janell Bowman’s STEP RIGHT UP, we’re posting pics about our fave pets. Be sure to read to the end for a very special photo by the author herself! And, if you add a Comment, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free copy of the book.

While you’re savoring the photos, let’s remember that Jim Key wasn’t Doc’s pet; I suspect that, given his own history, Doc didn’t even think he owned Jim Key. The heroes of Donna’s book, both two-legged and four-, were partners, which is the way many of us feel about the beloved animals in our lives.

Elly Swartz (whose EMU’s Debut of FINDING PERFECT takes place next week!) says about Lucy, her family’s two-year-old beagle, “We had agreed to visit the pups but not necessarily bring one home that day. Needless to say, an hour later, we had a new addition to our family!”

Katie Slivensky’s Galileo is nine. Darwin (don’t you love their names?!) came along because Galileo’s vet said he could use a companion. “Living with them is like living with Pinky and the Brain. Galileo is a diabolical genius who loves getting into trouble, and Darwin is an innocent snowflake who spends most of his life vaguely confused.”

Andrea Wang has gone out on a limb and under water with her pets. “At various times I had a parakeet, a gerbil, several fish, and a cat. But I always wanted a dog.” This is Mochi, a rescue from Puerto Rico.

Debbi Michiko Florence’s pets are definitely unusual. Please meet Darcy and Lizzy.

And here we have Jason Gallaher’s Pomeranian, Pom Brokaw, and his friend’s French bulldog, Edward. Jason says, “We were discussing men’s fall fashions together.”

Appropriately, we also have an EMU’s pony, saved by kindness. Hayley Barrett says that Trish “was a true miracle in my life. We bought her from the man who rescued her from an abusive situation. I taught her to trust again. The power of pure, childlike love.”

Finally, from Donna: “This is Kat, my late father’s King Ranch stallion—a cherished member of our family— “signing” the contract for Step Right Up. It was both a tribute to my roots and to my dad. Kat passed away a few months ago, on the day I learned of the book’s Junior Library Guild selection. He was forty-years-old.”

STEP RIGHT UP and comment for a chance to win a book!