Amazon does include a brief
description of my book, but: I'd like to share my own thoughts.
This veterinarian’s memoir is inspired by an almost forty
year career that overflowed with wonderful people and their devoted pets. In this
book you meet animal lovers who struggle with guilt even though it is obviously
time to say goodbye to their pets. You share the anguish of those who have no
idea how to select the right pet and are shocked when their choice turns out to
be totally inappropriate. You read about a house call where a client has a
heart attack only moments before her pet is put to sleep; you witness a
Rottweiler escape from his owner and lunge at my face. I will describe the
cruel and sordid picture of corporate veterinary America where monetary ambition
is considered more important than the practice of quality medicine. The stories
of my own pets are scattered through the book. Each is introduced with a short novelized
autobiography (and a picture). You laugh out loud when my Golden Retriever,
Bailey, compares road kill to the delicacies in a buffet line. But, for the
most part, this is a poignant story of people and the pets they love.
The last section is an appendix with 13 valuable lessons. Included
are topics ranging from selecting the right pet to why you should feed a measured
amount of a quality pet food. Suggestions
for easier house training and essential obedience training are reviewed. I
offer advice on how to identify the exceptional veterinarian as well as how to
save money on your pet’s medications and veterinary care. More appropriate and
safer vaccination protocols are examined in detail. (Are your pets still
getting vaccinations every year? You need to read and understand why they
should not be!) Why your pet should be neutered, ear disease, and understanding
your cat are all discussed before the closing lesson on euthanasia embraces the
inevitable heartbreak we face with each of our pets. If you enjoy reading about
people and their pets, you’ll love this book. If you want to partner in your
pet’s health care, this will be a great help.
Please send me your comments; praise or criticism, I'd still like to hear.
Kenneth H. Cohn, DVM
