My Patients and Other Animals

Praise

“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)

“A beautifully written look at modern veterinary medicine . . . Fincham-Gray, who also has an MFA in creative writing, has created a wonderfully introspective look at the role of the veterinarian.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Written with candor, humility, and humor, this memoir tells of the professional evolution of a veterinary medicine graduate to a more seasoned internal medicine practitioner. This compelling read is highly recommended for anyone interested in veterinary medicine or who has a love of animals.”—Library Journal

“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 . . . 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. . . . 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

“Engrossing, visceral . . . My Patients and Other Animals is at its best when the author is at her nerviest, removing the romantic sheen from per profession and replacing it with a more realistic and complicated portrait. If it’s sometimes tragic, it’s also consistently rooted in compassion.”—USA Today

“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