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Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award GOLD Winner in Humor
Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America is a collection of humorous and poignant stories from a veterinarian in a small, dusty farming and ranching community in rural West Texas. Dr. Brock gives you an intimate look into his small-town and big-hearted perspective on life, animals, and their owners. His unique perspective and tales of doctoring beloved pets, cantankerous livestock, and occasionally their owners will make you smile, laugh, cry, and evoke every other emotion under the sun.
Introduction. Otis, or Why I became a veterinarian --
Family --
West Texas integrity --
Mentors, colleagues, and peers --
Veterinary (mis)adventures --
Adventures in the field --
Cowboys, old men, and oddballs --
Cowgirls and old women --
Look for the moments --
Unconditional love --
Leonard --
About the author
Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America is a collection of humorous and poignant stories from a veterinarian in a small, dusty farming and ranching community in rural West Texas. Dr. Brock gives you an intimate look into his small-town and big-hearted perspective on life, animals, and their owners. His unique perspective and tales of doctoring beloved pets, cantankerous livestock, and occasionally their owners will make you smile, laugh, cry, and evoke every other emotion under the sun.
Introduction. Otis, or Why I became a veterinarian --
Family --
West Texas integrity --
Mentors, colleagues, and peers --
Veterinary (mis)adventures --
Adventures in the field --
Cowboys, old men, and oddballs --
Cowgirls and old women --
Look for the moments --
Unconditional love --
Leonard --
About the author
248 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2016
89 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 14, 2019
Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America by Bo Brock is a collection of stories not only of his veterinarian experiences but his life experiences that will make the reader giggle, wonder, and smile. Most of these type stories are overly filled with sorrowful stories but Mr Brock only has a few tales of loss the rest are filled with lighthearted stories. I giggled and smiled throughout the book. I usually read sci-fi and my husband came in and asked what kind of sci-fi was making me laugh so hard. I started to tell him the stories and had him laughing too. The stories include the 'patients', the owners, and towns people. He even throws in family stories. They all are so unique, funny, and surprising. The way he tells it is so funny that if anyone else told it, it wouldn't be the same, (I know, my version to my husband was very poor but even that was funny). I would recommend this book to anyone, not just people who love animals, but to anyone. This would be a perfect gift for that person that has everything, everyone needs a good laugh. I received this book from NetGalley for a honest review and I am so glad I did. Thanks NetGalley, I may not have ever have pick up such a wonderful book.
June 3, 2016
This highly entertaining book, written by the veterinarian owner of a multi-species practice in tiny Lamesa, Texas, roped me in right from the start. What's not to love about a Papaw who calls his grandson (the author) Turdhead?
The rest of the book, a compilation of the author's experiences at his veterinary practice, never loses that initial entertaining factor. A few stories are poignant, and a few are laugh-out-loud funny. Take, for instance, the unsuspecting Beagle who fell asleep on his back in the yard on a very sunny day and sunburned body parts that normally live in the shadows. I mean, goodness, gracious....
Because this is far from my usual reading genre of mysteries and thrillers, a bit of an explanation is in order. First, I spent all my formative years on a small farm (riding a school bus on dirt roads, 4-H, and all else that goes along with country life). Second, my husband and I often watch the reality TV shows featuring [usually quirky] veterinarians. And last, but hardly least, one of our good friends is a vet in rural Hillsboro, Ohio, and he, too, penned an amusing book about his experiences. So when I was offered the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a review, saying yes was a no-brainer.
Just for the record, this is not the book's first printing; the first, published in 2014, is said to have ranked as high as No. 5 on the Amazon Best Selling Humor List. Now that I've finished it, that comes as no surprise; if you're an animal lover - or just someone who enjoys "down home" reminiscing about real situations and real people - I'm sure you'll find it well worth reading. I know I did.
I must say, though, that in spots the book leans toward being a little too "folksy." Yes, I get that this is West Texas farm country; my point is that occasional corn-pone words like "fella" just stuck out like a prolapse amid the author's otherwise very articulate descriptions. Then too, like one of those angry bovines, the stories jump all over the pen, so a little more order (chronological, perhaps?) might be, well, in order. But lest there be any misunderstanding, I reiterate my opinion that this is a very enjoyable book. Try it - I think you'll like it too!
The rest of the book, a compilation of the author's experiences at his veterinary practice, never loses that initial entertaining factor. A few stories are poignant, and a few are laugh-out-loud funny. Take, for instance, the unsuspecting Beagle who fell asleep on his back in the yard on a very sunny day and sunburned body parts that normally live in the shadows. I mean, goodness, gracious....
Because this is far from my usual reading genre of mysteries and thrillers, a bit of an explanation is in order. First, I spent all my formative years on a small farm (riding a school bus on dirt roads, 4-H, and all else that goes along with country life). Second, my husband and I often watch the reality TV shows featuring [usually quirky] veterinarians. And last, but hardly least, one of our good friends is a vet in rural Hillsboro, Ohio, and he, too, penned an amusing book about his experiences. So when I was offered the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a review, saying yes was a no-brainer.
Just for the record, this is not the book's first printing; the first, published in 2014, is said to have ranked as high as No. 5 on the Amazon Best Selling Humor List. Now that I've finished it, that comes as no surprise; if you're an animal lover - or just someone who enjoys "down home" reminiscing about real situations and real people - I'm sure you'll find it well worth reading. I know I did.
I must say, though, that in spots the book leans toward being a little too "folksy." Yes, I get that this is West Texas farm country; my point is that occasional corn-pone words like "fella" just stuck out like a prolapse amid the author's otherwise very articulate descriptions. Then too, like one of those angry bovines, the stories jump all over the pen, so a little more order (chronological, perhaps?) might be, well, in order. But lest there be any misunderstanding, I reiterate my opinion that this is a very enjoyable book. Try it - I think you'll like it too!
June 21, 2016
Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere is an often-humorous look into small town America by veterinarian Bo Brock. This is a delightful book by a man with a sense of humor and big heart.
Not only did the author excel in schooling and career (graduating magna cum laude from Texas A&M University and voted equine practitioner of the year for the state of Texas in 2007 and runs a thriving practice), but he excels in this writing debut, a collection of stories of memorable adventures with animals and their owners in rural Texas. He’s got the smarts and the drive surely, but he also exposes a down-to-earth nature and dedication. His understanding of the important connection between animals and their people is clear and was ingrained in him at a young age when his beloved pig Lucy suffered and died. He decided then that he would become a vet so he could “fix things like what had happened to Lucy”. A number of anecdotes made me smile and some moments of loss made me thoughtful of my own pet experiences. I feel fortunate to have had animals in my life and thank goodness for veterinarians like Dr. Brock who commit to their care.
Not only did the author excel in schooling and career (graduating magna cum laude from Texas A&M University and voted equine practitioner of the year for the state of Texas in 2007 and runs a thriving practice), but he excels in this writing debut, a collection of stories of memorable adventures with animals and their owners in rural Texas. He’s got the smarts and the drive surely, but he also exposes a down-to-earth nature and dedication. His understanding of the important connection between animals and their people is clear and was ingrained in him at a young age when his beloved pig Lucy suffered and died. He decided then that he would become a vet so he could “fix things like what had happened to Lucy”. A number of anecdotes made me smile and some moments of loss made me thoughtful of my own pet experiences. I feel fortunate to have had animals in my life and thank goodness for veterinarians like Dr. Brock who commit to their care.
December 22, 2020
I read about 15+ books each year and Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere was my easily my favorite one in 2020. This book explains what life is like as a West Texas Veterinarian who works long hours through all kinds of crazy situations to heal his (animal) patients. Of course, this includes making house calls to the boonies in the middle of the night and dealing with (sometimes) ridiculous pet owners.
Most of the stories in this book are humorous. In fact, a handful of them are nothing short of gut-busting. At one point, I literally had to stop myself from reading any further b/c I was could not catch my breadth from laughing so hard!
This book also includes touching stories of beloved pets that he put down after a long life of giving companionship and love to their human caretakers. If you have ever owned a pet, you will surely identify with the raw emotion that is accurately described by this talented author, Dr. Bo Brock.
This is a 5-star book from first to the last page, and I enjoyed every word. I give it two thumbs WAY UP!
Most of the stories in this book are humorous. In fact, a handful of them are nothing short of gut-busting. At one point, I literally had to stop myself from reading any further b/c I was could not catch my breadth from laughing so hard!
This book also includes touching stories of beloved pets that he put down after a long life of giving companionship and love to their human caretakers. If you have ever owned a pet, you will surely identify with the raw emotion that is accurately described by this talented author, Dr. Bo Brock.
This is a 5-star book from first to the last page, and I enjoyed every word. I give it two thumbs WAY UP!
May 15, 2020
This book intrigued me as I'm acquainted with West Texas. I laughed. I rolled my eyes. One of those fun, easy reads. A bit crude in places but I chalked it up to the West Texas Vet/Rancher lifestyle and mindset. (Sorry my dear friends out there.)
May 12, 2017
Aren't animals the funniest thing in the world? Even so, could one, kill you, if it, dies? I've never been the type of person who enjoys reading very much, but this book captured my interest and makes me want to start reading more. Dr. Bo Brock's stories of his veterinary adventures, some which leave me wanting more - When he had a conversation with a little old lady, who was actually a parrot, and never told us what his employes thought of it. A few stories made me cry for an animal I'd never seen - When a rancher had lost the horse he lived with for 30 years. The book left me stunned. All of my emotions came out, not for real life, or for a movie, but over words. Any adult, person who want to be a veterinarian, boy, girl, whoever, that is over eight should read this book. Young kids shouldn't read this, since it contains swearing, the occasional D-word and A-word. It has highly detailed description of gorey surgery. Also, the book has some scenes with inappropriate stuff, some spays and neuters, and him moving a goat's, "boy part" as Dr. Brock said, to the side, so the goat could find females in heat, and not impregnate them. If you'd be okay with your kids reading this, they should. A Famous book reviewer, Kirkus book review has said, "you don't have to live in the lone star state (where the book takes place) to enjoy these companionable tales of a country vet." I can second that. Bo Brock has stated, "I hope the book touches the extremes of your emotions ... I hope you discover how wonderfully blessed we are to have friends that are animals ..." I have been touched deeply by the book, I have sparked a greater love for my animals, and for becoming a veterinarian. Many books are like other, but this is all in its own. It could be compared to books, with a different perspective, or different story each chapter, but no book I've ever read has conveyed so much emotion. Sadly, this is Brock's only book. Luckily, other people know this book is spectacular. It has been given the 2015 book festival grand prize in the animal category. It has also won the IBPA Ben Franklin award Gold, for Humor. Everything about this book is great, it deserves everything it has won. Everybody who has a soul should read this, and I hope it gives to you as much as it did to me.
April 19, 2023
Memoirs by veterinarians are going to be compared, for better or worse, to the master of the genre, James Herriot. While this book had its high points and is a decent foray into the world of a country vet, it lacks the warmth and affection of Herriot's, also falling short of Herriot's storytelling. (It may be unfair to compare him to Herriot, but for those familiar with the English vet's books, it is unavoidable. You've been warned.)
The best of the book are a few truly funny vignettes, I mean laugh-out-loud funny. Not-so-good portions: Brock spends a lot of time on memories of his youth. Later, and annoyingly, he often interrupts a story to tell the reader "picture this" or "imagine this." We WERE picturing and imagining it, thank you, until you interrupted us. (For some reason, I found this gratingly irritating.) Then, late in the book, there is a sudden intrusion into the text by another writer with no warning.
Biggest drawback: Like Herriot, Brock's had his share of difficult pet owners, but this is where the book strains most noticeably. The English vet could convey the frustration of difficult clients with humor and an affection for humanity that is unmistakable, while Brock, all too often, mocks pet owners in a fashion that does him no credit. With Herriot, one feels strongly sympathetic; with Brock, one often cringes for the maligned owners. This subverts these stories so that, while intended to be touching, they leave us feeling uncomfortable, and without the poignancy or emotional punch of a Herriot story.
Finally, Herriot's books convey the muck, mud and mess of the profession while tastefully avoiding crudeness, whereas this book jauntily shirks that restraint. (Admittedly, this may not bother most readers.)
Kudos to Brock for loving a challenging, smelly, often dirty vocation, and for literally saving the lives of countless animals. The book held my interest and is easy to read. If you have not been spoiled, so to speak, by the outstanding James Herriot, you might enjoy this all the more.
3.5 stars
The best of the book are a few truly funny vignettes, I mean laugh-out-loud funny. Not-so-good portions: Brock spends a lot of time on memories of his youth. Later, and annoyingly, he often interrupts a story to tell the reader "picture this" or "imagine this." We WERE picturing and imagining it, thank you, until you interrupted us. (For some reason, I found this gratingly irritating.) Then, late in the book, there is a sudden intrusion into the text by another writer with no warning.
Biggest drawback: Like Herriot, Brock's had his share of difficult pet owners, but this is where the book strains most noticeably. The English vet could convey the frustration of difficult clients with humor and an affection for humanity that is unmistakable, while Brock, all too often, mocks pet owners in a fashion that does him no credit. With Herriot, one feels strongly sympathetic; with Brock, one often cringes for the maligned owners. This subverts these stories so that, while intended to be touching, they leave us feeling uncomfortable, and without the poignancy or emotional punch of a Herriot story.
Finally, Herriot's books convey the muck, mud and mess of the profession while tastefully avoiding crudeness, whereas this book jauntily shirks that restraint. (Admittedly, this may not bother most readers.)
Kudos to Brock for loving a challenging, smelly, often dirty vocation, and for literally saving the lives of countless animals. The book held my interest and is easy to read. If you have not been spoiled, so to speak, by the outstanding James Herriot, you might enjoy this all the more.
3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2019
'Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere' is the humerous memoirs of small-town Texan vet, Bo Brock. He's a funny, salt-of-the-earth type guy with a real soft spot for helping animals. I listened to this on audiobook, narrated by the wonderful Lewis Arlt, who manages a southern drawl that really brings these tales to life.
The book briefly follows Bo's journey through childhood, schooling and veterinary school, before becoming a series of anecdotes about his weird and wonderful clientele.
It's funny. I'm sure at least part of my enjoyment was from the quality of the narration, but the stories themselves were cute and interesting. Heartwarming stuff.
The book briefly follows Bo's journey through childhood, schooling and veterinary school, before becoming a series of anecdotes about his weird and wonderful clientele.
It's funny. I'm sure at least part of my enjoyment was from the quality of the narration, but the stories themselves were cute and interesting. Heartwarming stuff.
August 19, 2019
This book is a collection of short stories that Dr. Brock has compiled. I’d already read most of the stories over the years in various Veterinary Publications. As a result, I didn’t laugh as hard at the book as I might have otherwise, but I still gave him five stars for the enjoyment I got from the stories the first time around.
How would I describe Dr. Brock’s writing? Well in my opinion he is what you would get if James Herriot and Patrick F. McManus had an illegitimate love child. Given that they are two of my favorite authors, I can’t think of much higher praise. For those unfamiliar with the life of a rural veterinarian, you might think he’s exaggerating for the sake of a good story, but having lived through many similar experiences, I’d be happy to testify that his stories are true. His stories can be touching, tear jerking, hilarious, or all three rolled all together.
Below is an example of his writing that I pulled off of his Facebook page. I don’t feel bad sharing it here, as he has already freely shared it on the internet. So if you’ve never read Bo Brock enjoy:
The Squirrel
The bannister was a work of art. It was made of mesquite wood from their ranch and framed the stairs up two stories to the third floor. I was amazed at the degree of craftsmanship that had gone in to building this thing, but the focus of my visit to this house was not to admire the bannister.
My objective was to catch the critter thatcurrently sat on the horizontal segment of the bannister on the second floor. It was perched up on it hind legs with it’s tail arched into an upside down “U”, while it seemingly was munching on a peanut it had stolen from the kitchen table.
Mrs. Blades was a wealthy, 80 year old woman that was lucky enough to live in this beautiful ranch house. Her husband had died a few months earlier so she lived in the mansion all alone. She was as agile as a cat, and clever as can be, but she was no match for this squirrel. The thing had somehow gotten in the house that morning and she had been chasing all day trying to get it back in the yard.
It was five o’clock and I was winding down the day at the clinic when the phone rang. Mrs. Blades addressed me with a tone that was somewhere between embarrassment and anger. She informed me that she hated to call a vet for such a trivial thing, but she couldn’t stand the thought of eventually having to go to bed with the furry monster running all over the place.
She told me that she didn’t want to kill it because she loved to see them play out in the trees, and she supposed I could come over her house and tranquilize it with a dart gun and then let it wake up outside. She was very kind and told me she would pay whatever I usually charged for a ranch call if I would come and get it on my way home.
All I could think was……Hmmmmmmmmmm….. how am I gonnacatch a squirrel in this ladies house? There is no way I am gonna be able to shoot it with a dart gun, those things are made to shoot cows…it would blow it to pieces. And besides that, can you imagine what it would do to anything in the house it hit if I missed? I didn’t really have a plan, but I told her I would be there soon and we would get the critter back to playing in a tree outside.
What does one pack to go on such a call? I looked around the clinic a put a few things I thought might be of assistance in the truck and headed out to the ranch for the great squirrel eviction.
Back to where we started……peanut eating squirrel at the top of the stairs. I sized things up and told Mrs. Blades to open the front door and close the kitchen door. There was a hallway next to the stairs that led to the rest of the house, and I stationed her there to head the critter off if it turned back. My plan was to simply chase it until it discovered the doorway and decided that outside would be better than having a screaming veterinarian chasing it around.
She told me that all the doors upstairs were closed and that the only place it could go was up or down the stairs until it got down to the living room on the ground floor that had the open front door. The only problem I could see was the fact that the living room was as big as a gymnasium and was full of furniture that offered many hiding places.
I headed up the stairs at a causal pace, knowing there was no place up that offered a hiding place. As I approached the rascal, he assumed the sprinter’s position and focused on me with both eyes. The closer I got, the lower he got. When I was about six feet away, he took off like a shot. Up the bannister he went, so fast that I could barely keep my eyes on him. I picked up my pace, hoping I would get behind him and head him back down to the sunshine of the open door.
He beat me to the top and lept from the rail. A short hall with three closed doors left him no avenue for escape, so back to the bannister he went. He passed me coming up while he was headed down. He simply kept running at the same speed, only clinging to the away side of the bannister as he passed me heading down. Oh yeh, this is exactly what I was hoping for. I turning in behind him and started heading down as fast as I could go. All the while making loud noises and hoping all the scary stuff would make him head straight for the great out doors.
No such luck. He seemed to like the bannister. When he got to the bottom, he simply made a 180 degree turn like a swimmer starting the second lap, and headed back upstairs. I tried discouraging his choice of direction by heavy arm waving and more hollering.
Didn’t seem to bother him a bit. He just buzzed by me clinging to the off-side of the bannister and headed back to the third floor. I, of course, turned and chased him up again. At the top, he did the same swimmer spin and headed back down. This went on for four circuits and it became terribly apparent that the squirrel liked the air conditionedhouse with a lifetime supply of peanuts and was not going outside.
Back to where we started. I am standing next to the stairs looking up at the horizontal section of the bannister on the second floor at a squirrel that is standing on his back legs with his tail in a “U”. Mrs. Blades is now standing next to me explaining how she had spent the entire day trying to get him off that bannister.
She asked me where my dart gun was. I tried to explain to her that the dart would blow him to bits and I might hit one of her paintings with it if I missed. She then fashioned a hopeless look on her face and asked what in the heck we were gonnado.
I needed a net. Of all the things I had packed from the clinic…a net was not one of them. I told her to get me a broom, a pillow case, a wire coat hanger, a role of duct tape, and a pair of pliers. She returned in a few minutes with all the items and a smile.
I took the coat hanger and fashioned it into a circle. I then took the pillow case and taped it to the circle of the coat hanger to make an opened mouthed “net” of sorts. Then we took the hook part of the now formed net and taped it strongly to the handle of the broom and waa-laa…..homemade squirrel net.
Mrs. Blades was giggling and whispering, almost like if she said out loud what we were doing the squirrel would be on to us. I told he that I would hide on the off side of the bannister and she could go up the stairs and make the critter make another lap.
The tension mounted as she ambled up the steps toward the sprinter stanced squirrel. I took my hiding position behind the china cabinet and waited. I found myself shaking with nervous anticipation as the sound of her going up the stairs echoed over my head.
I could hear the commotion start as she and the squirrel hit the top floor. She hollerd down..”he is headed your way and I am hot on his trail!”
I peaked around the cabinet just as they both headed down to the first floor. She was going fast, I mean fast…. She was keeping up with the squirrel, which meant he was staying on the off side of the bannister.
I swung that broom/net like a ninja and got that rascal on the first pass. He jumped into the air as he saw it coming and my correction was just enough to capture him in a home-made cloth closet. I then spun the thing a few turns leaving him no escape portal.
She and I high fived for a few minutes in celebration of our capture. We took the pillowcase outside and unrolled it a few spins. Our elusive squirrel saw the daylight and headed straight up the closest tree.
Mission accomplished. We laughed together for a while and re-capped our cleverness and I complimented her on her speed coming down those stairs. Of course I didn’t charge her a ranch call. I didn’t charge her a thing. But a week later, a ten pound sack of gourmet peanuts, three roles of duct tape, a brand new broom, a matching set of three pillow cases , a set of wire coat hangers, and a gift certificate to a steak house were delivered to the clinic with a note that read….. JUST IN CASE YOU EVER NEED TO CATCH A SQUIRREL AGAIN, thanks…Mrs. Blades.
How would I describe Dr. Brock’s writing? Well in my opinion he is what you would get if James Herriot and Patrick F. McManus had an illegitimate love child. Given that they are two of my favorite authors, I can’t think of much higher praise. For those unfamiliar with the life of a rural veterinarian, you might think he’s exaggerating for the sake of a good story, but having lived through many similar experiences, I’d be happy to testify that his stories are true. His stories can be touching, tear jerking, hilarious, or all three rolled all together.
Below is an example of his writing that I pulled off of his Facebook page. I don’t feel bad sharing it here, as he has already freely shared it on the internet. So if you’ve never read Bo Brock enjoy:
The Squirrel
The bannister was a work of art. It was made of mesquite wood from their ranch and framed the stairs up two stories to the third floor. I was amazed at the degree of craftsmanship that had gone in to building this thing, but the focus of my visit to this house was not to admire the bannister.
My objective was to catch the critter thatcurrently sat on the horizontal segment of the bannister on the second floor. It was perched up on it hind legs with it’s tail arched into an upside down “U”, while it seemingly was munching on a peanut it had stolen from the kitchen table.
Mrs. Blades was a wealthy, 80 year old woman that was lucky enough to live in this beautiful ranch house. Her husband had died a few months earlier so she lived in the mansion all alone. She was as agile as a cat, and clever as can be, but she was no match for this squirrel. The thing had somehow gotten in the house that morning and she had been chasing all day trying to get it back in the yard.
It was five o’clock and I was winding down the day at the clinic when the phone rang. Mrs. Blades addressed me with a tone that was somewhere between embarrassment and anger. She informed me that she hated to call a vet for such a trivial thing, but she couldn’t stand the thought of eventually having to go to bed with the furry monster running all over the place.
She told me that she didn’t want to kill it because she loved to see them play out in the trees, and she supposed I could come over her house and tranquilize it with a dart gun and then let it wake up outside. She was very kind and told me she would pay whatever I usually charged for a ranch call if I would come and get it on my way home.
All I could think was……Hmmmmmmmmmm….. how am I gonnacatch a squirrel in this ladies house? There is no way I am gonna be able to shoot it with a dart gun, those things are made to shoot cows…it would blow it to pieces. And besides that, can you imagine what it would do to anything in the house it hit if I missed? I didn’t really have a plan, but I told her I would be there soon and we would get the critter back to playing in a tree outside.
What does one pack to go on such a call? I looked around the clinic a put a few things I thought might be of assistance in the truck and headed out to the ranch for the great squirrel eviction.
Back to where we started……peanut eating squirrel at the top of the stairs. I sized things up and told Mrs. Blades to open the front door and close the kitchen door. There was a hallway next to the stairs that led to the rest of the house, and I stationed her there to head the critter off if it turned back. My plan was to simply chase it until it discovered the doorway and decided that outside would be better than having a screaming veterinarian chasing it around.
She told me that all the doors upstairs were closed and that the only place it could go was up or down the stairs until it got down to the living room on the ground floor that had the open front door. The only problem I could see was the fact that the living room was as big as a gymnasium and was full of furniture that offered many hiding places.
I headed up the stairs at a causal pace, knowing there was no place up that offered a hiding place. As I approached the rascal, he assumed the sprinter’s position and focused on me with both eyes. The closer I got, the lower he got. When I was about six feet away, he took off like a shot. Up the bannister he went, so fast that I could barely keep my eyes on him. I picked up my pace, hoping I would get behind him and head him back down to the sunshine of the open door.
He beat me to the top and lept from the rail. A short hall with three closed doors left him no avenue for escape, so back to the bannister he went. He passed me coming up while he was headed down. He simply kept running at the same speed, only clinging to the away side of the bannister as he passed me heading down. Oh yeh, this is exactly what I was hoping for. I turning in behind him and started heading down as fast as I could go. All the while making loud noises and hoping all the scary stuff would make him head straight for the great out doors.
No such luck. He seemed to like the bannister. When he got to the bottom, he simply made a 180 degree turn like a swimmer starting the second lap, and headed back upstairs. I tried discouraging his choice of direction by heavy arm waving and more hollering.
Didn’t seem to bother him a bit. He just buzzed by me clinging to the off-side of the bannister and headed back to the third floor. I, of course, turned and chased him up again. At the top, he did the same swimmer spin and headed back down. This went on for four circuits and it became terribly apparent that the squirrel liked the air conditionedhouse with a lifetime supply of peanuts and was not going outside.
Back to where we started. I am standing next to the stairs looking up at the horizontal section of the bannister on the second floor at a squirrel that is standing on his back legs with his tail in a “U”. Mrs. Blades is now standing next to me explaining how she had spent the entire day trying to get him off that bannister.
She asked me where my dart gun was. I tried to explain to her that the dart would blow him to bits and I might hit one of her paintings with it if I missed. She then fashioned a hopeless look on her face and asked what in the heck we were gonnado.
I needed a net. Of all the things I had packed from the clinic…a net was not one of them. I told her to get me a broom, a pillow case, a wire coat hanger, a role of duct tape, and a pair of pliers. She returned in a few minutes with all the items and a smile.
I took the coat hanger and fashioned it into a circle. I then took the pillow case and taped it to the circle of the coat hanger to make an opened mouthed “net” of sorts. Then we took the hook part of the now formed net and taped it strongly to the handle of the broom and waa-laa…..homemade squirrel net.
Mrs. Blades was giggling and whispering, almost like if she said out loud what we were doing the squirrel would be on to us. I told he that I would hide on the off side of the bannister and she could go up the stairs and make the critter make another lap.
The tension mounted as she ambled up the steps toward the sprinter stanced squirrel. I took my hiding position behind the china cabinet and waited. I found myself shaking with nervous anticipation as the sound of her going up the stairs echoed over my head.
I could hear the commotion start as she and the squirrel hit the top floor. She hollerd down..”he is headed your way and I am hot on his trail!”
I peaked around the cabinet just as they both headed down to the first floor. She was going fast, I mean fast…. She was keeping up with the squirrel, which meant he was staying on the off side of the bannister.
I swung that broom/net like a ninja and got that rascal on the first pass. He jumped into the air as he saw it coming and my correction was just enough to capture him in a home-made cloth closet. I then spun the thing a few turns leaving him no escape portal.
She and I high fived for a few minutes in celebration of our capture. We took the pillowcase outside and unrolled it a few spins. Our elusive squirrel saw the daylight and headed straight up the closest tree.
Mission accomplished. We laughed together for a while and re-capped our cleverness and I complimented her on her speed coming down those stairs. Of course I didn’t charge her a ranch call. I didn’t charge her a thing. But a week later, a ten pound sack of gourmet peanuts, three roles of duct tape, a brand new broom, a matching set of three pillow cases , a set of wire coat hangers, and a gift certificate to a steak house were delivered to the clinic with a note that read….. JUST IN CASE YOU EVER NEED TO CATCH A SQUIRREL AGAIN, thanks…Mrs. Blades.
June 27, 2016
Beware where you read this great book! I was in the doctor's waiting room, waiting for my mom. First, I was giggling to myself. It went to a full out belly laugh more than one time!! I could not help it. I have to blame it on Doctor Brock!!! His writing is so honest and heartfelt. He tells it like it is.
Most of the book tells about how busy he and his office is, and it gets funny! He often makes house calls.... he doesn't know what to expect. The ostriches are hilarious. I've seen some, and they don't mess around with monster legs. Then there is a male goose with six females backing him up when he goes to attack Dr. Brock! A cow picks him up and hurls him at a shovel in the back of his truck. And a lady who toots in the office. He tells the stories in the most funny of ways! But, he talks about his incredible upbringing, eulogies on some important animals, and wonderful lifesaving cases. This is a book for all animal lovers and likers. It is healing, also.
Thank you to Dr. Bo Brock, Greenleaf Book Group Press and Netgalley for giving me a free e-ARC of this book to read and give my honest review.
Most of the book tells about how busy he and his office is, and it gets funny! He often makes house calls.... he doesn't know what to expect. The ostriches are hilarious. I've seen some, and they don't mess around with monster legs. Then there is a male goose with six females backing him up when he goes to attack Dr. Brock! A cow picks him up and hurls him at a shovel in the back of his truck. And a lady who toots in the office. He tells the stories in the most funny of ways! But, he talks about his incredible upbringing, eulogies on some important animals, and wonderful lifesaving cases. This is a book for all animal lovers and likers. It is healing, also.
Thank you to Dr. Bo Brock, Greenleaf Book Group Press and Netgalley for giving me a free e-ARC of this book to read and give my honest review.
June 12, 2016
I'm not a big non-fiction reader but this has to be one of the best I've picked up. It is laugh out loud funny and I loved reading about the animals and people in his life. Bo Brock's writing style is perfect for anyone who loves any and all animals from mice to horses. I learned so much about so many things from dogs to cows and pigs. This book will be a perfect gift for anyone that likes to read. Each chapter is self contained so you can stop reading (you won't want to) and when you come back you'll be starting a new story. Loved this book and hope Dr. Brock writes another one very soon.
June 23, 2016
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere is the story of Bo Brock, a veterinarian in the West Texas town of Lamesa. The book details stories that range into just about every category: humorous, absurd, heartwarming and poignant. Brock tells of his upbringing and the values his family (especially grandparents) instilled in him. These values are woven throughout the book in anecdotes about his own family and the day to day life of a small town veterinarian. This is a must-read for any animal lover but I'd recommend this to just about anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2018
I loved this book, such a funny slice of the life of a vet. I will be buying a copy for our local vet.
It was so easy to stop and pick it back up again because the stories are mostly just a couple pages long. I laughed and I cried, I connected with these “clients” who had to give up their long loved pets and sometimes livestock. We have such a connection with our animals and Bo is able to see and articulate that in layman’s language. One of the best books i’ve Read this year.
Loved it loved it.
I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley I was not required to write a review and the thoughts are my own.
It was so easy to stop and pick it back up again because the stories are mostly just a couple pages long. I laughed and I cried, I connected with these “clients” who had to give up their long loved pets and sometimes livestock. We have such a connection with our animals and Bo is able to see and articulate that in layman’s language. One of the best books i’ve Read this year.
Loved it loved it.
I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley I was not required to write a review and the thoughts are my own.
June 23, 2016
A fun book of vignettes about being a vet in Texas. These stories read very much likee humor pieces in Reader's Digest. Would be a good gift for an older relative who grew up in farm country. People who enjoyed James Herriot's books or Simon Dawson's stories of running a farm would also enjoy this.
April 18, 2018
Individual essays from the book have been popping up on my FB feed for a while and I always read them. The essays, written by a west Texas veterinarian named Bo Brock, are usually funny and often touching. If it's popped up on your FB too, know that the book is proofread and the FB posts are not. So it's not annoying to read.
This isn't great literature, but it is highly entertaining. Some of the essays left me chuckling for days. My horse and I are patients at the vet's office, so it was nice to read the situation from a vet's point of view.
The book is great to carry with you when you are running errands because the essays are short and you can read snippets of the book in brief timeframes. In fact, my biggest criticism, which really reflects on me more than the author, is that I want to get more deeply into what I'm reading. Here, you read a page and a half, laugh, and then the subject changes.
This isn't great literature, but it is highly entertaining. Some of the essays left me chuckling for days. My horse and I are patients at the vet's office, so it was nice to read the situation from a vet's point of view.
The book is great to carry with you when you are running errands because the essays are short and you can read snippets of the book in brief timeframes. In fact, my biggest criticism, which really reflects on me more than the author, is that I want to get more deeply into what I'm reading. Here, you read a page and a half, laugh, and then the subject changes.
July 10, 2017
This was a "read in one day" book! Dr. Brock's patients are the creatures of western Texas from cows, pigs, and horses to pets, including a pudgy poodle who never ate "people food" -- it isn't food until you cook it, right?
Full of life lessons (Never Put a Pig in Your Mouth, and Other Wise Things Granny Taught You), gentle humor (never a mean-spirited tale), and insights, this book made me smile, laugh out loud, and sniffle. Be warned that it is like eating chips; you won't want to stop with just one story.
It also gave me a new perspective on the Texas Panhandle and the people who live here. These are the working people behind the ranches who care about their working horses, the rodeo competitors who know how fast their horse should be, and the people who are neighbors.
If you like animals and the folks who have animals, I think you'll fall in love with this book as I did.
Full of life lessons (Never Put a Pig in Your Mouth, and Other Wise Things Granny Taught You), gentle humor (never a mean-spirited tale), and insights, this book made me smile, laugh out loud, and sniffle. Be warned that it is like eating chips; you won't want to stop with just one story.
It also gave me a new perspective on the Texas Panhandle and the people who live here. These are the working people behind the ranches who care about their working horses, the rodeo competitors who know how fast their horse should be, and the people who are neighbors.
If you like animals and the folks who have animals, I think you'll fall in love with this book as I did.
November 27, 2024
My large animal veterinarian father was this story and more…also a graduate of Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine who practiced in a small Texas town, drove hundreds of miles in his mobile vet-clinic truck to care for rural cattle, horses, sheep, elk and anything else he got called out to treat. He practiced until he was 85 years old when his body, especially his knees and legs just couldn’t hang any longer. Brock’s tales were ones I lived with my father and I laughed and cried through this, remembering so many wonderful memories of a life well lived, loved and respected by so many. Thanks for bringing my Dad's life alive again for me, Dr. Brock!
September 24, 2020
Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere is an extraordinarily written collection of stories about life as a veterinarian in a West Texas town. Humorous and heartfelt, Dr. Brock shares successes, mishaps, and the challenges of practicing. I have shared this book with my mother, father-in-law, and, most recently, my teenage daughter. We have all loved it and highly recommend this book and its thought-provoking narrative to anyone who finds joy and comfort in animals. Thank you for writing this book!
January 16, 2022
Wonderful Stories
This was exceptionally well written in a good voice, solid grammar and command of the English language. The stories are touching and often hilarious.
Why 4 instead of 5? The Chapter Titles are simply words. Rather, it’s a collection of storied journal entries. Wonderful though. I never once felt that I wasted time reading it but do wish it had been a bit shorter, although I’d absolutely read a Volume 2 if it comes out.
This was exceptionally well written in a good voice, solid grammar and command of the English language. The stories are touching and often hilarious.
Why 4 instead of 5? The Chapter Titles are simply words. Rather, it’s a collection of storied journal entries. Wonderful though. I never once felt that I wasted time reading it but do wish it had been a bit shorter, although I’d absolutely read a Volume 2 if it comes out.
March 2, 2019
Read this book. It doesn't really matter who you are, or what type of books you prefer, just read it! It won't take you long. You will get a few laughs at the bare minimum, but I predict you will get much more out of it than that. I was charmed and fascinated and impressed and challenged and inspired!
August 1, 2019
"All God's Creatures..." for a new era.
This book is comprised of many short stories of pets, livestock and their owners. It made it very easy to read and to pick up at any time and follow through with. The writing is excellent and the humor is always on spot. Good solid values and rural common-sense made this a great read for me.
This book is comprised of many short stories of pets, livestock and their owners. It made it very easy to read and to pick up at any time and follow through with. The writing is excellent and the humor is always on spot. Good solid values and rural common-sense made this a great read for me.
October 3, 2019
Great book.
This book has everything a good book of stories needs. It captures your attention right away and keeps you turning pages until you run out of pages. It hits every emotion, some things I will laugh at over and over. I was a Vet tech for over 30 years in a mixed practice, in Texas. I could relate to so much of this book, brought back great memories.
This book has everything a good book of stories needs. It captures your attention right away and keeps you turning pages until you run out of pages. It hits every emotion, some things I will laugh at over and over. I was a Vet tech for over 30 years in a mixed practice, in Texas. I could relate to so much of this book, brought back great memories.
December 11, 2017
Tears and laughter
I don't have horses or cattle, only small animals, but this was a wonderful book. The laughter when something crazy happens, the tears when it's time to say goodbye, emotions we all need. Thanks!
I don't have horses or cattle, only small animals, but this was a wonderful book. The laughter when something crazy happens, the tears when it's time to say goodbye, emotions we all need. Thanks!
February 23, 2018
Lovely stories from a veterinarian shared.
Some sad, some silly, but a nice collection of short stories shared by the author. A veterinarian's point of view is not one we usually get to share in.
Some sad, some silly, but a nice collection of short stories shared by the author. A veterinarian's point of view is not one we usually get to share in.
May 2, 2020
Great book!
Wonderful true stories, many very funny but some sad. I didn't want to put it down! I have recommended it to my friends . Several are enjoying it as I write! Great book!
Wonderful true stories, many very funny but some sad. I didn't want to put it down! I have recommended it to my friends . Several are enjoying it as I write! Great book!
June 11, 2020
A great and often hilarious escape from everyday life! Heartwarming stories that will make your day.
Looking for an escape from our chaotic world. Slip into the middle of nowhere and enjoy some good old fashioned American stories.
Looking for an escape from our chaotic world. Slip into the middle of nowhere and enjoy some good old fashioned American stories.
December 10, 2020
A Diary style book
This meandering book is such a prize to read. From the beginning of a veterinarian practice through the years of serving a small Texas town , humor , lots of characters ( both animal and human ) .
This is worth the read.
This meandering book is such a prize to read. From the beginning of a veterinarian practice through the years of serving a small Texas town , humor , lots of characters ( both animal and human ) .
This is worth the read.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
October 21, 2022Sorry, I just can't do West Texas attitude, perspective, or values. New York City or Los Angeles, same thing. You are not the center of the universe, and your pov is not universal.
Dnf p. 52 October 2022
Dnf p. 52 October 2022
December 21, 2016
Wonderful read.
Dr. Brock is the epitome of a Texas Panhandle vet. He did move to Lamesa but still is a Texan!
Dr. Brock is the epitome of a Texas Panhandle vet. He did move to Lamesa but still is a Texan!
January 1, 2018
Very funny and entertaining with an interesting insight into being a vet in rural America.
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