Fur, Feathers, Frogs: What I Learned from the Animals in My World

Dianne Macdonald never needed the glitz of Broadway or the thrill of far-off travels-her greatest entertainment came with paws, claws, wings, and sometimes brays. In this gorgeous, thought-provoking memoir, she invites readers into a life lived with a cast of unforgettable animals: a white rat who rode in her son's sleeve, eighty-five baby guppies born in her daughter's bedroom fish tank, a donkey whose voice doubled as the family doorbell, and beloved cats and dogs who filled her home with love, joy, and chaos.

As the years passed, Dianne's evolving relationship with animals mirrored her own journey from impulse to introspection. Living on two rural acres near Seattle, teeming with ducks, frogs, moles, opossums, squirrels, yellow jackets, woodpeckers, and countless other wild creatures, she faced the joys and trials of coexisting with the natural world. What began as spontaneous acts of rescue or revenge became opportunities for deeper reflection on stewardship, tolerance, boundaries, family, relationships, and the unseen consequences of everyday choices, both at home and in the larger world.

With warmth, humor, and honesty, Fur, Feathers, Frogs: What I Learned from the Animals in My World explores the messy, beautiful intersections of domestic life, wild nature, and moral responsibility. It's a story of learning-how animals teach us to be more human, how our early choices shape our families, and how even the smallest lives can leave the deepest footprints on our hearts.