As a veteran documentary filmmaker, I have had literally thousands of opportunities to film extraordinary people and extraordinary stories. But few have touched me like Dr. Melissa Shapiro’s detailed understanding of her wonderful and most unique dog, Piglet. Piglet has become a superstar with hundreds of thousands of people who have seen him on TV and on the web. And her book, Piglet: The Unexpected Story Of A Deaf Blind Pink Puppy And His Family, is a joy to read from start to finish (pigletmindset.org).
I love animals and have learned so much from them and any animal lover loves dogs. Some say they are our best friends. Of course there are dogs and then there are dogs, and then there is Piglet. He is deaf and blind and I imagine without Melissa and her family, he would have had a pretty hard time of it.
Melissa’s constantly evolving understanding of him has affected her life and the lives of her family and friends and now so many others, touched my heart during my interview with her and has positively affected my life ever since. Thank you Melissa. And a special thank you to that courageous beast of a dog, Piglet.
And I especially want to thank Mim Eichler Rivas, the book’s co-author, who suggested that I approach Melissa and Piglet.
And I send a very special thank you to Heidi Hoffman for her superb editing.