Who Am I?

My actual name is Judy Weir. When I became an author, my dear husband asked me to select a pen name. He felt that his privacy would come to an end when the media arrived on his front lawn and helicopters circled overhead. Though I knew I would be lucky to have just one reporter knock on my door, I decided to choose a pen name for my books.

Being an 'unknown' author I prepared for the possibility that my first book would sink like a stone. But then, overwhelmed with hugely positive reviews, there was the possibility the book would would fly off the book shelves. Hence, Feather Stone.

The helicopter never came. However, my second novel, Forbidden, won three awards: Canada Book Award, a British Award, and the International Reader's Favorite in the Thriller Category - a very lovely gold medal .

Over many years I worked as a paramedic and Operations Supervisor in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After I retired in 2008, I wrote two fiction novels (Kingdom of Gods, Forbidden), two books tracing my paternal and maternal genealogy, then wrote my first non-fiction book, Wildlife's Second Chance. All can be found on Amazon shelves.

Why Did I Write "Wildlife's Second Chance?"

When I began to work as a WILDNorth transport volunteer in 2018, the first few shifts were a bit of a shock. My first wild animal that needed help was an injured hare. A school called to report the hare had been placed in a box near the school's front door. When I arrived about an hour later, there was nothing I could do for the small animal. It had died. Cause of injury was unknown. Thankfully the vast majority of wildlife I pick up for the wildlife hospital are alive. All need urgent medical care.

Over the years I learned about the causes of wildlife injuries. There are dozens of causes. And, most of those causes are related to human activity. Whether attacked by a cat, contaminated by oil spills, poisoned by rodenticide, colliding with a window or vehicle, or many more causes, we need to provide a safer environment in our urban areas.

The Good News: Almost all of those causes can be easily prevented with either little or no cost. I believe that if people had information on how easy it is to prevent wildlife's injuries, they would be surprised. This book will provide options and steps that will help you provide a more safe environment around your home to the wildlife that give us so much pleasure.

In this book, many wildlife medical personnel have provided true stories about wildlife rescues and rehabilitation. They reveal the challenges in managing wildlife's unique needs. Some recover quickly. Others suffered more severe issues and needed months to recover before they were able to hunt and defend themselves. It's a thrill for all of us when these lucky wild animals are returned to their natural habitat, a second chance to be free and wild again.

Wildlife's Second Chance is dedicated to the volunteers that drive hours to pick up an injured animal, or to help rescue wild and dangerous animals, or assist the medical staff in the hospital. Non-profit wildlife rescue organizations could not function without the help of these dedicated people. Their only reward is knowing they were part of the team that gave a wild animal a second chance.