by Karen Fine
First published 2023
Karen Fine knew from childhood that she wanted to heal animals. Her grandfather, a doctor who made house calls to human patients, inspired her compassionate approach to medicine. In the 1980s, veterinary school remained dominated by men, but Fine refused to abandon her calling. She even persisted despite being allergic to cats. Fine built her practice around understanding each animal's story to deliver the best care possible. Her memoir chronicles the creatures who shaped her career: a feral cat who trusted her to mend his wounded paw, a pot-bellied pig who outgrew the family car but never their hearts, a colony of surprisingly well-behaved ferrets, an elderly pet who joined one last family trip, and a dog who unexpectedly saved his owner's life. Fine weaves in stories of her own animals too, the birds, cats, and dogs who taught her the most important lessons. Through caring for creatures great and small, she discovered how tending to animals teaches us to better tend to ourselves when life feels uncertain.
Genres: animals, medical, autobiography, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, inspirational
304 pages · Hardcover · Anchor