If Only I Could Tell You Where it Hurts Doc
Written: May 07 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Blend of patient stories and reflections, humor, compassion, and insight
Cons: It ended
The Bottom Line: Dr. Trout has done an exceptional job of illuminating the bond between people and vets and their animals without glamorizing the profession.
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| pestyside's Full Review: Nick Trout - Tell Me Where it Hurts |
A day in the life of an established surgical veterinarian actually translates to 25 years of experience. "The tales you are about to read are the truth, practically the truth, and nothing less than a half-truth, sifted from recollections of thousands of animal encounters over the course of the last twenty-five years."
Beginning with the dreaded 2:47 a.m. wake-up call this on-call surgeon responds to a plea for help from a surgical resident. The patient, a ten-year old German shepherd got into a bag of kibble and ate far too much. He recognizes the symptoms and understands the urgency. With this Dr. Nick Trout, begins his day that introduces readers to the life of a 21st century animal surgeon.
Thus begins Dr. Nick Trout’s book, Tell Me Where It Hurts, A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon. The life is not glamorous, but it has rewards.
Sage, the German shepherd belongs to a frail, elderly man, a gift from his deceased wife. This dog fills the void that she left, his companion--Sage is certainly not an “it” in this man’s life. The story of Sage continues through the day, weaving in and out of other medical recollections and treatments. Dr. Trout condenses 25 years of successes, mistakes, joys, tears, fears, and lessons into a fully-packed, chaotic day that begins heading into surgery at 2:47 a.m. and concludes around 10:02 p.m., again heading into surgery.
Following the early morning surgical rescue of this ten-year old German shepherd, we remain with him through his day of making rounds, providing advice, offering second opinions, and treating pets. We meet the owners and listen to his thoughts about pet/owner bonds.
It’s obvious he admires and respects the dogs he treats. He’s completely drawn in by the courage of Sage. How can he not perform surgery on a dog who has demonstrated such willingness to survive? But the same applies to a 40-pound cat and several other dogs that he meets through the day.
He shares his frustrations about the human insurance/health care and pet health care/insurance dilemma. He’s sensitive to the financial concerns but argues "there remains something fundamentally repugnant and insensitive about the merger of money and animal health care."
Experiences drawn from his memories are occasionally sad, funny, heartwarming, and haunting. The book is surprisingly good.
One dog, an exceptional Weimaraner, and his “mom”, enter the clinic. He was lame and obviously brave about his pain. She was trying to be brave. "…I could tell that behind the smiles, bubbly personality, and genuine concern for the profound lameness in her dog’s front left leg, there was something much more at stake. It is all about the eyes, the subtle folds and creases of acquiescence that she could not completely hide. It leaked out in tiny packages; in a look, an intonation, like the glimmer of a ghost only she could see…"
After his lengthy career he knows something about animals and their owners. His insight provides heartwarming, bittersweet reflections into the human animal bond. He becomes the vet we all want, and perhaps have, but we learn through his beautifully written book of his dedication and commitment. To what? To the animals, to the owners that love them, to the vet residents and interns who will replace him someday.
The Medical Cases Plus
Each chapter is wrapped around one or two animals, resident, or situation that happens in his day at the very real Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Somewhere in the middle of each chapter he provides a well-placed distraction that removes us tangentially from the hospital. He might digress to thoughts of trusting brand new vets who seem inexperienced or the ethics of conducting surgery on an elderly dog or the use of internet in self-diagnosing pets. Each of the 16 chapters contains a digression of thoughts obliquely related to the treatment. There isn’t a straight path from the start to end of any chapter, yet the path he takes us across is full of valuable perspectives.
As one who is a slave to several
I completely enjoyed this entire book, especially the way he kept returning to some of the earlier patients, or the surgical residents. While he condensed 25 years into this book of 286 pages, he made it seem like one very full day. I enjoyed the way he interjected his thoughts and philosophies into the day’s events. Through telling his story he described the issues that confront veterinarians on a daily bases.
This is a compelling behind-the-scenes story about a day in the life of some amazing animals and humans. When our blond lab underwent surgery for her cancer, we met some dedicated individuals who selflessly cared and who demonstrated their concern. She was not “just another dog” and one in particular called us at home several times checking on her with genuine concern for our blond lab. Dr. Trout has done a terrific job of illuminating the bond between people and vets and their animals. He helps us understand how difficult their choices become.
In our lifetime we’ve had some good vets, some rather unimpressive vets, and some, like Dr. Trout, that have been remarkable. We have met some that will be incredible after they’ve practiced for 25 years. He guides us to the realization that each doctor of veterinary medicine faces, each day, cases that will alter their responses to the animals under their care. Inspiration, some heartbreak and humor, and some classy humanity from the four-legged world fill this remarkable book.
Do you have an ongoing relationship with a special animal doctor? If so, I recommend Tell Me Where it Hurts, even if it’s not the best relationship, even if you’re unconvinced you like your vet, but especially if you are convinced that person is spectacular and your best friend’s hero. I wonder if my current vet would like a copy.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pestyside
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 in Pets, Books |
 in Pets, Books |
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Location: Central Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 704
Trusted by: 114 members
About Me:
Nature is not a place to visit, it is home--Gary Snyder
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