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There are currently 42 member reviews
for Ever By My Side
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Beth C. (Sioux Falls, SD)
Memoir of a Veterinarian
Dr. Nick Trout, veterinary surgeon, grew up in England. At the age of 9, he finally got a puppy after years of requests. His German Shepherd, Patch, became a close companion to both Nick and his father. They were also very fond of the television series that told the stories of James Herriet, veterinarian of Yorkshire. Nick went to veterinary school and then moved to the United States to study veterinary surgery.
This book details the pets that Nick would come to own and love as he spent his working hours with other people's animals. It is also a touching memoir of his relationship with his parents, his wife and their two daughters.
It is the kind of book that pet lovers will particularly enjoy.
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Sandra G. (Middleton, WI)
Heartwarming and Heartwrenching
Dr. Trout's memoir will be appreciated most by dog lovers. Parts of the book will make you laugh out loud; other parts will bring you to tears. I enjoyed following Trout's relationship with his father, their bond forged by their mutual love of dogs. His writing style is easy and flowing, full of self-deprecating humor.
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Marge B. (Dunedin, FL)
Dog Lovers Can Relate
As a life-long dog owner, I was prepared to LOVE this book. After reading the first few chapters, I began to fear this autobiography was going to be just TOO adorable and folksy. Then the story further unfolded, and I began to relate to my own experiences in raising dogs, seeing myself in the characters, laughing at the way dogs have challenged my patience over the years, sniffling through the all too familiar end-of-life decisions. I was touched by the honest portrayal of his relationship with his father, and his mother’s ambivalence about having a dog (or two) in the house. This is a personal story that grows on you. It’s not a WOW, can’t wait to read another chapter kind of book. But you’ll find it touching, engaging and often quite real and funny. A life with dogs, you have to have a sense of humor!
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Teresa R. (Evansville, IN)
Ever By My Side
A warm memoir of a young man, his parents, his animals, and his children, This is a well-written volume that evokes a gamut of emotions from the reader. I wish that it was longer or a little more descriptive- but I enjoyed it a great deal.
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Carol J. (Isle, MN)
Shaped by my pets
Dr. Trout's memoir "Ever By My Side", was an engaging, if not uneven book. It seemed to me that his narrative would run along smoothly and entertainingly, and then get stuck. The stories were fun, I enjoyed the insights into British life and their relationship with their pets. Must admit I felt Dr. Trout missed some teachable moments as a vet; although potentially controversial. Inside vs outside cat, training of dogs to be good citizens.
With the number of other 'dog' and 'cat' books available, not sure I would put this one too high on the list.
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Valerie C. (Chico, CA)
Not his best work
First a disclaimer, I am a veterinarian. Second, I really enjoyed his first book, "Tell Me Where It Hurts". So, I was really looking forward to reading his newest work. Unfortunately, it disappoints to the extent I'll not finish it. Too many other books to spend more time on this one. His complaints about his childhood and parents comes across as whiney and ungrateful. His humor felt flat for me. I hope others enjoy it more.
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Judith G. (Ewa Beach, HI)
"...just not for me."
This is an option given when the book is just not right for a reader. This was the case for "Ever By My Side." I found it tedious to read and was not willing to finish it when I had another waiting to review.
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