This is a collection of the more mundane side of Charles Park Shaw’s first year as a veterinarian in New Hampshire. The practice revolves around his relationship with associates, Roger Osinchuk and Erika Bruner and their clients. The author does a fine job of describing the challenges of uncooperative animals, client expectations, long hours, and family interactions. There are some humorous situations but the author does not shy away from describing self-doubts, frustration with irresponsible animals’ owners, and physical risks to their bodies. ( )

An engaging book that I've lent to a few friends.

The only argument I have with the book is that an underlying theme seems to be a yearning for the days of yore, when all vets were on call 24/7 and more (farm) boys became vets. Life-work balance doesn't seem to be valued much, and the increasing feminization of the profession is blamed for a lot of things, rightly or wrongly. ( )