Tara Murray
Tiddles the duck has had a massive impact on owner Alicia Taylor’s life and now the disabled duck has become the star of a new book series.
Five-year-old Tiddles was hatched with a spine deformity which means he can’t walk and join in with the rest of the flock at their home in Deer Park.
But it hasn’t stopped him living his best life, with Ms Taylor taking him around Victoria.
“Everywhere we go, people fall in love with him,” she said.
“He loves watching the trains go past. I like to provide him stimulation, as he misses out as he sits on a box while I’m at work.
“He’s like a child and I devote my life to him. He is so smart and observant.”
During last year’s COVID-19 lockdown, Ms Taylor decided to write a book series with Tiddles as the main character. The books focus on themes relating to disability, social issues, family issues and themes that parents often want to discuss with children but don’t know how.
“I had to do something during COVID-19,” Ms Taylor said. “When my daughter was little I ran a family daycare and also thought about putting stories in a book.
“It’s also my way to make Tiddles eternal. He’s life span is limited, but people will know his name.”
Tiddles also has an Instagram account, with more than 10,000 followers.
