A book guaranteed to touch anyone who has ever had a beloved pet…
From instant New York Times bestseller, Dr. Nick Trout comes another touching and heartfelt story from the front lines of veterinary medicine—the story of two dogs who forever changed the way he thought about life, death, fate and love.
Helen is an older cocker spaniel found neglected and abandoned in a restaurant parking lot one rainy night. Despite her mangy condition and terrible smell, Ben and Eileen fall in love with the pitiful creature and decide to take her in. But just as Helen is rescued from a sad life on the streets and enveloped in a loving home with all the creature comforts an old dog could ask for, a tumor is discovered and she's given a devastating prognosis. All Ben and Eileen want is for Helen to beat the odds and survive for one more summer so that she can have one chance to swim in the ocean on the family's annual trip to Prince Edward Island. In short, they want a miracle.
Meanwhile, fourteen-month-old miniature pinscher Cleo keeps breaking one leg after another which devastates her poor owner, Sandi. While Cleo is visiting Sandi's daughter, Sonja, in Bermuda, she succumbs to yet another fracture. Distraught that the injury happened on her watch, Sonja makes a plan to fly Cleo to Boston to get the specialist care she needs before Sandi even finds out. Enter Dr. Trout who presides over what should be a fairly routine surgery. What happens next forever links two families, their dogs and a beloved veterinarian and teaches them all a lesson about grace that resonates to this day.
Love is the Best Medicine immerses you in the true life drama of beloved pets whose lives hang in the balance. Every page underscores the profound bond we have with the animals in our lives and the incredible responsibility Nick carries as their healer. Certainly Dr. Trout has an impressive array of fancy equipment, training and skills at his disposable, but his most important tool (as he persuasively illustrates here) is a fundamental belief in the power of hope, humility, and grace.
Wry, charming, and intensely affecting, Love is the Best Medicine is a one of a kind story only the winsome Dr. Trout could deliver and is destined to become a favorite for animal lovers.
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"Another excellent book from Dr Trout! Every one of his books brings so much sadness, and so much joy. I am an animal lover and can relate to so many of his stories. I loved this book and recommend it to any one who loves a story with a (pretty much) happy ending."
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
Nick Trout is back with a follow-up to his best-selling Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon. It’s filled with the same engaging writing readers now expect from Trout, who is often compared to James Herriot. And as lovers of dog stories know, that is a very good thing.
— USA Today Veterinarian Trout offers up a surefire comfort read for Animal Planet fans with this intimate look at the lives of two dogs and the people who loved them...Easily traversing the border between science and society, Trout’s chronicle will appeal to readers from teens to grandparents.What he’s really writing about, and teaching the rest of us, is how to truly live.
— The Free Lance-StarTrout, a surgeon at Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center and best-selling author of Tell Me Where It Hurts, delivers his heartfelt account with a humorous introspection that reaffirms the extraordinary level of caring veterinarians can have for their patients. Highly recommended for lovers of animals of all shapes and sizes.
— Library JournalDr. Trout has given us a remarkable love story, reminding us of the preciousness of every life, human or animal.
— Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The Last LectureHelen and Cleo are simply two of the most unforgettable canine souls I've ever encountered. Written with candor, wisdom, and empathy, Love is the Best Medicine will change everything you thought you knew about the impact pets can have on our lives. If you've ever loved a dog, this is the book for you!
— Gwen Cooper, author of Homer’s Odyssey "I sat in my human mom’s lap while she read Love is the Best Medicine. She liked it a lot and said 'Everyone should read this book!' She laughed, and I had to lick the tears from her cheeks when she cried.A riveting emotional roller coaster into the behind the scenes life of a veterinarian.
— Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make us HumanDr. Nick Trout's latest work is an unflinchingly honest journey through love, loss, and redemption. This is a book not only for anyone who has ever loved an animal, but for all who have loved. Dr. Trout allows us an intimate glimpse into the heart of a veterinary surgeon, and the souls of the patients he fights to save. There are many lessons here: of hope conquering fear, joy triumphing over grief, and family getting us through it all.
— Dr. Louise Murray, author of Vet Confidential"This beautifully written book is from the heart and soul of Dr. Nick Trout; an extraordinary veterinary surgeon who has found that perfect balance of genuine compassion and dedicated skill. He eloquently reveals the undeniable importance of our relationship with animals and the rich rewards of having them in our lives. Utterly delightful and compelling, Love is the Best Medicine is a must read.
— Melanie Sue Bowles, author of The Horses of Proud Spirit and Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit" I liked Dr. Trout's first book, Tell Me Where It Hurts, better. But this is still a good read. I guess I just like reading about pets and their crazy owners. "
— Amy, 2/3/2014" Though I am not "an animal person," a well-written book about animals and medicine is always a draw for me. I really enjoyed this one. "
— Cynthia, 1/27/2014" Enjoyed this book. It automatically brought back specific memories of cases that I still carry with me since leaving the veterinary profession a few years back. "
— Becky, 1/27/2014" I preferred TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS but this book had me hugging my animals and wiping my eyes and reaffirmed my faith in people. "
— Wardegus, 12/23/2013" Not exactly the gut-wrenching, sob filled story I was hoping for (sick, I know!) But still a very nice book of a vet's experience with some remarkable pets and their owners. "
— Debbie, 12/21/2013" If you love dogs, this is a great read! I'll definitely read more of Dr. Trout's books since I classify myself as a dog lover! "
— Marilyn, 11/15/2013" Reading this in between others...a book you can leave for a little and pick it back up and not be lost...finished the book, and, sorry...not James Herriott-like at all. "
— Danielle, 9/24/2013" It was a good book, but he's no James Harriot. The mystical side of it was a bit over the top. "
— Bonnie, 8/5/2013" Heartwarming read from a vet who describes the bond between owners and their pets, and if we listen and pay attention, how much we can learn from our pets. Main characters were Cleo the miniature pinscher and Helen, a cocker spaniel and the lives they touched. "
— Betty, 9/30/2012" This was such a heartwarming story that any pet lover could relate to. I love how Dr. Trout treated each animal as a precious life. I can't wait to read his first novel. "
— Caitlin, 7/15/2012" Very nice book. I enjoyed reading it. I will suggest it to my patrons at the library. "
— Nancy, 6/30/2012" Some parts made me cry and some made me laugh. I enjoy reading "dog" books but often parts of them are really sad. I would rate this a 3.5 if I had the option. Recommended for anyone who enjoys reading books with dogs as the main characters. "
— Maryann, 6/8/2012" Another great book by Dr. Trout! "
— Georgi, 5/6/2012" I like the author as a person, I would like him as a vet, but as an author? Not so much. "
— Loran, 4/28/2012" This book was a good beach read but nothing more. "
— Rebecca, 8/22/2011" Cute Story. Interesting to get a vet's perspective. "
— Donnie, 5/15/2011" Not a bad book, sometimes it was hard to follow which dog he was talking about but still a good story. "
— Tiffany, 5/5/2011" again, i just wasn't in the mood for this book at this time but may try again later. "
— kathi, 3/15/2011" Another book I ended up crying over. The stories were sweet. I liked the other cases he talked about. I will definitely check out his other books. "
— Jennie, 3/10/2011" I usually love books like this but I didn't so much love this one.<br/>It was a little incoherent though I did enjoy the content itself.<br/>In all fairness, it might have been the allegy meds I am on, but I don't think so.<br/>I am a huge admirer of Dr. Trout, I just didn't love the book. "
— Lizzie, 3/6/2011" Not exactly the gut-wrenching, sob filled story I was hoping for (sick, I know!) But still a very nice book of a vet's experience with some remarkable pets and their owners. "
— Debbie, 1/24/2011" Very nice book. I enjoyed reading it. I will suggest it to my patrons at the library. "
— Nancy, 1/21/2011Nick Trout graduated from veterinary school at the University of Cambridge, England, in 1989. He is a diplomate of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons and a staff surgeon at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Tell Me Where It Hurts and Love Is the Best Medicine.
Jonathan Cowley, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a British actor hailing from Eastbourne, East Sussex, but he currently calls Los Angeles home. He has narrated many audiobooks and can also be heard on both sides of the Atlantic narrating film trailers and documentaries. He is also an active television and film actor who has appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, Veep, and WestWorld.