NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A heartwarming memoir about one woman's career as a vet and the unique role pets play in our lives. “Filled with compassion and wisdom, Karen Fine is a healer whose own wounds have deepened her gifts for bringing animals and their people comfort and peace.” —Sy Montgomery, bestselling author. This compelling memoir reflects one woman's dream to become a veterinarian despite obstacles like her allergy to cats and the male-dominated field of the '80s. Inspired by her grandfather, a compassionate doctor, Dr. Fine emphasizes understanding her patients’ stories for the best care. In this narrative, she shares touching, joyful, heartbreaking, and life-affirming tales from her career. Among these are the feral cat who trusts a young vet to heal his paw, a pot-bellied pig who grows too big for the car yet remains cherished, and a colony of well-behaved ferrets. She recounts the beloved aging pet who accompanies his family on a final vacation and the dog who saves his owner's life unexpectedly. Interwoven are stories of her own birds, cats, and dogs, revealing how caring for animals teaches us to care for ourselves, especially in precarious times.
