AustLit

'My German best friend's husband, K., is one of those giant, chewable, long-limbed creatures. He's bouncing around their kitchen while we talk relationships - what makes 'n' breaks them. They're both therapists and work with adults and children. They own a lot of enormous plush toys for the clinic - a crow, a panther, a panda, a white pointer, an orangutan, among others. They say a child's a and attraction to a particular animal can help open discussion about what's preoccupying or worrying them; about sympathies, fears and identifications. (I choose, and suddenly everything makes sense.)'  (Publication abstract)