My Patients and Other Animals

Suzy Fincham-Gray gives readers rare insight into the making of a compassionate doctor. Her passion for both science and the animals she cares for, combined with her eloquence as a writer, made me want Suzy as both my dogs' veterinarian and my own friend. --Teresa J. Rhyne, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Dog Lived (and So Will I) Affecting dispatches from the life of an animal doctor . . . In this affably written amalgam of pedagogic and heartwarming material, the author chronicles her early years as a medical professional . . . and the unique animals she encountered along the way. . . . Pet fanatics and animal lovers in general will savor these bittersweet stories exploring the enduring human-animal bond. A fervent, anecdotal memoir infused with heart, compassion, and a natural love for animals on every page. --Kirkus Reviews Fincham-Gray explores in her candid debut the intricacies of her profession from inside the medical exam room, where she has worked for twenty-six years, diagnosing some of the most inscrutable animal illnesses. She describes the shock of encountering her first canine gunshot victim as an intern at an animal hospital in Philadelphia and recounts the frantic efforts to save a young dachshund suffering from pancreatitis after eating a hot dog. . . . Fincham-Gray explains the diagnostic practices, the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the history of rabies, and outlines genetic disorders of purebred dogs (without sermonizing), all in accessible language. The medical aspects of the narrative will likely draw future veterinarians to the book, but it's the tales of Fincham-Gray's patients that will keep general readers hooked. --Publishers Weekly This beautiful, tender, and magnificent read isn't just about one woman's love and care for animals and the people who love them, or about this veterinarian's big heart and deep intelligence. It's also about the ethical complexity of caring for other living beings, and a clear-eyed look at what binds us to other creatures of the world and why that matters. --Emily Rapp Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World A gem of a book . . . Fincham-Gray's nonstop life taking care of all sorts of nonhuman animals in need is a deeply inspirational and personal journey and a model for all, filled with joy, sorrow, tears, love, and loss. --Marc Bekoff, author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do Fincham-Gray writes extremely well, and her enthusiasm shines through on every page. I enjoyed reading this book, and while doing so I was made aware of the author's absolute dedication to her work. Like James Herriot, she portrays her profession in a very good light. --Jim Wight, author of The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father A beautifully written collection of memories, capturing the relationships among disease, humans, animals, and a veterinarian's love to heal them all. --Dr. Justine A. Lee, author of It's a Cat's World . . . You Just Live in It and It's a Dog's Life . . . but It's Your Carpet A beautiful, tender, and magnificent read, Suzy Fincham-Gray's My Patients and Other Animals isn't just about one woman's love and care for animals and the people who love them, or about this veterinarian's big heart and deep intelligence. It's also about the ethical complexity of caring for other living beings, and a clear-eyed look at what binds us to other creatures of the world and why that matters. It's also about what it takes to have a humane heart, and how this makes all of us, pet owners or animal lovers or not, more human. --Emily Rapp Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World A gem of a book. Dr. Suzy Fincham-Gray's nonstop life taking care of all sorts of nonhuman animals in need is a deeply inspirational and personal journey and a model for all, filled with joy, sorrow, tears, love, and loss. We are the lifeline for other animals--we try to keep them alive and thriving, and also have to make crucial end-of-life decisions with their best interests in mind and in heart--and this beautifully written and moving diary of Fincham-Gray's selfless work clearly shows how the life of every single individual matters and that science can take us only so far. Love and heart are necessary when we work with others who are totally dependent on us. --Marc Bekoff, author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do Suzy Fincham-Gray writes extremely well, and her enthusiasm shines through on every page. I enjoyed reading this book, and while doing so I was made aware of the author's absolute dedication to her work. Like James Herriot, she portrays her profession in a very good light. --Jim Wight, author of The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father A beautifully written collection of memories, capturing the relationships among disease, humans, animals, and a veterinarian's love to heal them all. --Dr. Justine A. Lee, author of It's a Cat's World . . . You Just Live in It and It's a Dog's Life . . . but It's Your Carpet If you have ever heard a cat purr or felt a dog lick your hand, you will find this poignant--and often exhilarating--story of a young veterinarian's journey into the science of caring for animals an irresistible read. My Patients and Other Animals will break your heart, give you hope, and send you running to the nearest shelter to adopt a pet. --Mark Haskell Smith, author of Naked at Lunch A surprising and delightful memoir . . . The language is rich, and the stories are witty. Clearly, Fincham-Gray is in the house--as a doctor and, now, as a writer of note. --Deanne Stillman, author of Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West Suzy Fincham-Gray's My Patients and Other Animals isn't just about one woman's love and care for animals and the people who love them, or about this veterinarian's big heart and deep intelligence. It's also about the ethical complexity of caring for other living beings, and a clear-eyed look at what binds us to other creatures of the world and why that matters. It's also about what it takes to have a humane heart, and how this makes all of us, pet owners or animal lovers or not, more human. This is a beautiful, tender, and magnificent read. --Emily Rapp Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World My Patients and Other Animals is a gem of a book. Dr. Suzy Fincham-Gray's nonstop life taking care of all sorts of nonhuman animals in need is a deeply inspirational and personal journey, and a model for all, filled with joy, sorrow, tears, love, and loss. We are the lifeline for other animals--we try to keep them alive and thriving, and also have to make crucial end-of-life decisions with their best interests in mind and in heart--and this beautifully written and moving diary of Fincham-Gray's selfless work clearly shows how the life of every single individual matters and that science can take us only so far. Love and heart are necessary when we work with others who are totally dependent on us. I can only hope that the nonhumans with whom I share my life and I will receive the care and love she has brought to each and every animal who came her way. My Patients and Other Animals should be required reading for all students and practitioners of veterinary medicine. --Marc Bekoff, author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do Suzy Fincham-Gray writes extremely well, and her enthusiasm shines through on every page. I enjoyed reading this book, and while doing so I was made aware of the author's absolute dedication to her work. Like James Herriot, she portrays her profession in a very good light. --Jim Wight, author of The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father If you have ever heard a cat purr or felt a dog lick your hand, you will find this poignant--and often exhilarating--story of a young veterinarian's journey into the science of caring for animals an irresistible read. My Patients and Other Animals will break your heart, give you hope, and send you running to the nearest shelter to adopt a pet. --Mark Haskell Smith, author of Naked at Lunch Suzy Fincham-Gray has written a surprising and delightful memoir that recounts the veterinarian's path. The language is rich, and the stories are witty. Clearly, Fincham-Gray is in the house--as a doctor and, now, as a writer of note. --Deanne Stillman, author of Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West