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Tell Me Where It Hurts - A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life As An Animal Surgeon
by Dr. Nick Trout
Broadway Books
ISBN 978-0-7679-2643-0
Published March 2009 - Hardcover - 287 pages - $22.95

I spotted this book at the library and thought, mmmm, I'm an animal person, and the look on the dog's face was so forlorn, so I checked it out.  From the outset, Dr. Trout says that the stories in his book don't all happen in one day, so we're to think of it (the stories) as "a buzz across Boston on the back of a moped at rush hour!"  You'll see why.  Dr. Trout paints a precise picture of his surroundings and I visualized him going to the veterinary hospital at 3:00am in January in Boston.  From the get-go, I'm hooked.  Dr. Trout (I wonder if he treats fish?) says about pets, "They give us purpose, responsibility, a reason for getting up in the morning, and a reason to look to the future", and "Pets are our seat belts on the emotional roller coaster of life—."  His anatomical analogies are wonderfully elucidating— for a slipped disk in a dog's neck, Trout describes disks as "tiny shock absorbers with a tough exterior encapsulating a soft pulpy center, a bit like a stale jelly doughnut.  Problems occur when the dough splits and the jam squirts out."  Or a boxer's lower jaw as "protruding like a toothy shovel", or for a human he describes, "cropped orange hair and make-up from the Cleopatra school of excessive eyeliner".  How about this one?  "Orthodontically challenged smile" (imagine it).  Trout's stories of faithful friends undergoing sometimes quick and easy treatments, harrowing touch-and-go situations, or routine surgeries is heart-warming and will have you cheering, weeping or sympathizing.  Much of the time his stories are upbeat and delivered with a great big dose of humor.  He also talks about the money people will or won't spend on their pets' health, pet health insurance, coming to the decision to euthanize or not, and the unbreakable bond some people have with their pets and how difficult it is when they're really ill.  Reading this book is like free lessons on how to care for your pets, what to watch for when they're sick, and what to do for them to make sure they're healthy.  Whether you likes dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, ferrets, parakeets, or snakes, I'm sure this book will bring smiles to your face, laughter to your cheeks, and more than a few tears.  I abhor cruelty to animals, or to see animals in distress, and am doing what I can to raise funds for organizations that help animals.  Dr. Trout's work ethic and approach is refreshing and reassuring, and thank God we have people like him for our animals.  Guess what?  I found Dr. Trout's second book at my library! 
Read my review of Dr. Trout's second book Love is the Best Medicine.
Conclusion - Along with some laughs and some tears, you'll learn so much about pet health care and enjoy the love many of us have for our pets.  A fabulously written page-turner which deserves a rare three stars!

"Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews.  You were too kind.  If you are interested you can follow my work at Angell and upcoming promotion for my third book at www.facebook.com/DrNickTrout."  Dr. Nick Trout