Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
Helpful Score: 6
I enjoyed the content of this book, however I wish that someone else had written it. I didn't care for the author's sense of humor, and at times he came off as a bit condescending. However, if you can ignore that part and focus on the good he does for animals and the people in their lives, there is much to enjoy here. The stories of the patients he encounters are touching and frequently brought tears to my eyes.
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine, or anyone who has ever been curious about what such a career might be like.
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine, or anyone who has ever been curious about what such a career might be like.
Michelle (LOVE-2-READ) - , reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great read for any animal lover, and especially anyone who wants to be a veterinarian. It shows the compassion that the author has for his patients, some very interesting insights into how some patients are diagnosed, and has a sprinkling of humor tossed in for good measure. All-in-all a pleasure-filled reading experience.
Rose S. (ATraveler2) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book was OK, some good stories, but the method of organization or sequence of the stories was confusing and disjointed, and he comes across pretty arrogant at times. Sometimes he was using certain stories "teach us" (and rambles on) or to make a point and the point was not clear... All in all, I read this book in less than two days and there were some good anecdotes, but I am glad I only used a point and not cash to get this one.
Gotta love that picture on the front though, too cute!
Gotta love that picture on the front though, too cute!
slider728 reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As most others in life, I would have loved to make my living helping and serving others. Also like most people I know, for one reason or another we all became a pawn in the corporate world. When I saw this book, I thought the concept was awesome. Besides a doctor, soldier, and law enforcement, a vet was one of the career choices I mulled over when I was preparing for life after high school. I was prepared for a thrilling read. I was expecting a book version of ER except with fuzzy animals.
Tell Me Where It Hurts is meant to be a day in the life of a Boston staff animal surgeon, Dr. Nick Trout. The book begins with Dr. Trout being awaken from his sleep by the harsh, piercing beep of a pager. Thus begins the day of an animal surgeon, driving through the dark Boston night to assist a surgical resident in saving the life of a dog. With the procedure over, the doctor proceeds through his day. Cases involve everything from the simple, the humorous, and the impossible. Throughout it all, the most difficult part of his day seems to be dealing with the owners. Throughout the book, Dr. Trout takes the opportunity to discuss various events throughout his career from how he started in the field, difficult cases hes worked, his own childhood companion that he lost, and people he as met. It seems Dr. Trout paints a great picture how a vets day is spent. Just as with a medical doctor, a vets day is mostly spent on simple procedures and administrative work. It is a far cry from the animal version of ER.
The concept of the book is terrific and overall it was pleasant to read. However, the writing style of Dr. Trout reminds me of a Kathy Griffin or a Bill Engvall concert. It starts with a remarkable topic, but the story keeps branching off and going on tangents. However, unlike Kathy Griffin or Bill Engvall, Dr. Trout goes back to his original point eventually. By the time he returns to the original story, I forgot what he was talking about in the first place. I think the story could have highly benefited from some better editing or a different author.
If you are an animal lover or are an aspiring veterinarian, then I would highly recommend this book. For the animal lover, the book is filled with touching stories about the creatures that have become like children to many people. For the aspiring vet, the book paints a highly realistic picture of what it is like to be a medical professional, helping the creatures that can not help themselves.
On the whole, I found the book enjoyable to read though sometimes difficult to follow.
Tell Me Where It Hurts is meant to be a day in the life of a Boston staff animal surgeon, Dr. Nick Trout. The book begins with Dr. Trout being awaken from his sleep by the harsh, piercing beep of a pager. Thus begins the day of an animal surgeon, driving through the dark Boston night to assist a surgical resident in saving the life of a dog. With the procedure over, the doctor proceeds through his day. Cases involve everything from the simple, the humorous, and the impossible. Throughout it all, the most difficult part of his day seems to be dealing with the owners. Throughout the book, Dr. Trout takes the opportunity to discuss various events throughout his career from how he started in the field, difficult cases hes worked, his own childhood companion that he lost, and people he as met. It seems Dr. Trout paints a great picture how a vets day is spent. Just as with a medical doctor, a vets day is mostly spent on simple procedures and administrative work. It is a far cry from the animal version of ER.
The concept of the book is terrific and overall it was pleasant to read. However, the writing style of Dr. Trout reminds me of a Kathy Griffin or a Bill Engvall concert. It starts with a remarkable topic, but the story keeps branching off and going on tangents. However, unlike Kathy Griffin or Bill Engvall, Dr. Trout goes back to his original point eventually. By the time he returns to the original story, I forgot what he was talking about in the first place. I think the story could have highly benefited from some better editing or a different author.
If you are an animal lover or are an aspiring veterinarian, then I would highly recommend this book. For the animal lover, the book is filled with touching stories about the creatures that have become like children to many people. For the aspiring vet, the book paints a highly realistic picture of what it is like to be a medical professional, helping the creatures that can not help themselves.
On the whole, I found the book enjoyable to read though sometimes difficult to follow.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
Helpful Score: 2
(read in May, 2010) (review from goodreads.com)
This is going to be one of thos difficult reviews to write - it probably won't be a "review" like most in the end. The inside flap states that this will be irresistible to animal lovers. I don't think that's true. I know more than a handful of animal owners who would not like this at all.
In my experience most animal owners/lovers/parents who read "animal books" read said books for the personal stories. While this was a personal story, it wasn't like any other I've ever read.
This is far, far, more interesting to someone wanting to learn about the actual experience of being a vet. This is notably different than "just" being an animal lover. I wouldn't say to stay away if your sqeamish exactly but there is much talk of surgical proceedings as well as other medical situations. There are definitely a good amount of "personal" stories about a patient and his/her family but they were short and don't really fill up that whole that would be there if you were expecting anything else.
This read sort of slow for me also - maybe because of the medical aspect of it, as interesting as it was. I've said this since I started the book and having ended it I feel it even more strongly - I wish Trout lived near me. I've been through a handful of vets and never, EVER have I come in contact with a vet like Trout. He seems to REALLY care about the animals he takes care of. Even if he doesn't wear his feelings on his sleeve, it's obvious the caring is there. The last vet I had was so damn uncaring I actually had to take my animals away from him. Even though he was a decent vet. I'd rather have a capable vet who cares for my pets.
Now, I have to add this..... Can anyone tell me the chances of me reading two books, back to back, totally unrelated in everything including subject, that both talk about not only "ferret-legging" but the "King of Ferret-Legging" Reg Mellor? I mean, seriously? What are those chances? I have never, in all of my 32 and some change years, heard of ferret-legging. I've heard of ferrets. I've heard of legs and leggings. But never did the two go together. I really wish there was a way for me to calculate the chances of this. If the urban fiction I'm reading mentions ferret-legging I'm going to start watching t.v. - that'll be too damn scary.
This is going to be one of thos difficult reviews to write - it probably won't be a "review" like most in the end. The inside flap states that this will be irresistible to animal lovers. I don't think that's true. I know more than a handful of animal owners who would not like this at all.
In my experience most animal owners/lovers/parents who read "animal books" read said books for the personal stories. While this was a personal story, it wasn't like any other I've ever read.
This is far, far, more interesting to someone wanting to learn about the actual experience of being a vet. This is notably different than "just" being an animal lover. I wouldn't say to stay away if your sqeamish exactly but there is much talk of surgical proceedings as well as other medical situations. There are definitely a good amount of "personal" stories about a patient and his/her family but they were short and don't really fill up that whole that would be there if you were expecting anything else.
This read sort of slow for me also - maybe because of the medical aspect of it, as interesting as it was. I've said this since I started the book and having ended it I feel it even more strongly - I wish Trout lived near me. I've been through a handful of vets and never, EVER have I come in contact with a vet like Trout. He seems to REALLY care about the animals he takes care of. Even if he doesn't wear his feelings on his sleeve, it's obvious the caring is there. The last vet I had was so damn uncaring I actually had to take my animals away from him. Even though he was a decent vet. I'd rather have a capable vet who cares for my pets.
Now, I have to add this..... Can anyone tell me the chances of me reading two books, back to back, totally unrelated in everything including subject, that both talk about not only "ferret-legging" but the "King of Ferret-Legging" Reg Mellor? I mean, seriously? What are those chances? I have never, in all of my 32 and some change years, heard of ferret-legging. I've heard of ferrets. I've heard of legs and leggings. But never did the two go together. I really wish there was a way for me to calculate the chances of this. If the urban fiction I'm reading mentions ferret-legging I'm going to start watching t.v. - that'll be too damn scary.
Carolyn M. (equinecpa) reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was a good read but not one of those books I couldn't put down. Animal lovers -especially dog lovers will like it. It details a day in the life of a small animal vet who also embellishes his stories with some memorable stories from the past.
Hollie R. (hollierobinson42) reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I work as a Vet Tech at a local, 24 hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital and I enjoyed this book a lot. It was interesting reading from a surgeons perspective and many of the things he talks about were very familiar to me. I have recommended this book to many of the people I work with. If you love animals, you'll enjoy this book and gather a new appreciation for your pet's vet.
Cynthia L. (Honeygirl62) -
The author has a warm and witty writing style. You can tell he loves animals. I liked reading the technical language and he cases handles at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Carla T. (dogodame) reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 46 more book reviews
I have lots of animals, and was looking for htis to be a Dr. Herriot type of book. However, after I read it I passed it on to a friend who is a vet because I thought she would get more out of it then I did. Since it is written by a vet, it tends towards a little more technical then the average reader might want.
Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
Another great book by Nick Trout, whom I wish was my vet for my dogs! I read his second book first and fell in love with him, loved him just as much in this book. He has quite the way with not only the animals and their people whom he deals with on a daily basis but with words. He's a natural born story-teller and has rapidly become someone I would put on my list of people I'd love to meet one day.
This man is not only full of empathy for the animals he cares for but the people who belong to them. His first thought is for his patients, which is how it should be but he never ignores the human side of things. This book will give you a great insight into the life of a veteranian/animal surgeon which if you're a pet owner and animal lover such as me will give you great comfort. This man is a saint!
This man is not only full of empathy for the animals he cares for but the people who belong to them. His first thought is for his patients, which is how it should be but he never ignores the human side of things. This book will give you a great insight into the life of a veteranian/animal surgeon which if you're a pet owner and animal lover such as me will give you great comfort. This man is a saint!
Mary G. reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on + 13 more book reviews
Charming, poignant, insightful. Dr. Trout, a veterinary surgeon, takes the reader through a day in an animal hospital--a long, eventful day. He skillfully intersperses the day's events with biographical and philosophical asides. Of interest to all animal lovers, it is quickly read, leaving the reader wishing for more.
Darlene S. (kidstufmom) reviewed Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon on
Without a doubt, this is the best book I've ever read!
I can honestly profess that this is THE book for anyone who has ever had a friend, two-legged or otherwise. "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a bit of an ironic title, because anyone even remotely familiar with the veterinary medicine field knows that the most challenging part of veterinary practice is being unable to ask your patients what exactly is hurting or bothering them, as medical doctors for humans can. If you acknowledge that, you begin to realize what an astoundingly difficult profession veterinary medicine is! That being said, Dr. Nick Trout, DVM, is not only a fantastic veterinarian but is also a seriously impressive writer. Again, this is the single best book I've ever read. Once again, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a friend, two-legged or otherwise. Nick Trout gives us a breathtaking, heart-stopping, heartwarming, humorous, depresssing, fast-paced look into the magics and mysteries of the veterinary profession. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll smile. And you won't put it down. Nick Trout has given the human world a gift with this book and he's given the animal world a gift with what he's written about.
I can honestly profess that this is THE book for anyone who has ever had a friend, two-legged or otherwise. "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a bit of an ironic title, because anyone even remotely familiar with the veterinary medicine field knows that the most challenging part of veterinary practice is being unable to ask your patients what exactly is hurting or bothering them, as medical doctors for humans can. If you acknowledge that, you begin to realize what an astoundingly difficult profession veterinary medicine is! That being said, Dr. Nick Trout, DVM, is not only a fantastic veterinarian but is also a seriously impressive writer. Again, this is the single best book I've ever read. Once again, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a friend, two-legged or otherwise. Nick Trout gives us a breathtaking, heart-stopping, heartwarming, humorous, depresssing, fast-paced look into the magics and mysteries of the veterinary profession. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll smile. And you won't put it down. Nick Trout has given the human world a gift with this book and he's given the animal world a gift with what he's written about.
