For her book “Perfect Imperfection”, the Australian pet photographer Alex Cearns set out to capture the personalities of animals who adapt to their damaged or different bodies without complaint. “They push on, wanting to be included and involved in everything as much as they can”, the Perth-based photographer says. “These are the creatures who have lost a leg, been born without eyes, or are still showing the scars of former abuse”. Part of the proceeds from sales of Perfect Imperfection go to the Australian Animal Cancer Foundation. Here: “Vegemite”. Japanese chin x pekinese. Lost an eye when attacked by another dog. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Bandit”. Bull terrier x jack russell. Victim of cruelty with scars to head. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Jakk”. Boxer mix. Born with malformed legs. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Raul”. French bulldog. Ruptured a lower disc in his spine, causing paralysis. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Aryah”. Kelpie mix. Was crushed in the womb and born with glaucoma, cranial deformity and learning difficulties. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Oompah”. Sharpei mix. Had mange, which later healed. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Dott”. Jack russell. Lost an eye to melanoma. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Polly’s puppies”. Staffordshire terrier mix. They both had mange. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Lady Bug”. Griffin bruxellois. Lost both eyes to glaucoma. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Reuben and Keisha”. Kelpie x labrador and maltese cross. Reuben had a bulging disc which ruptured and punctured his spinal cord, leading to rear-leg paralysis. Keisha developed intervertebral disc disease which led to paralysis of her rear legs. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Jessie”. Australian shepherd x border collie. Severed her spine in a freak accident and became paralysed in her rear legs. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)





“Bali Pip”. Bali street dog. Had the skin condition mange. (Photo by Alex Cearns/The Guardian)