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Call the Vet: My Life as a Young Vet in 1970s London
Arriving in 1970s’ London as a fresh-faced Canadian, Bruce Fogle assumed that because he knew the language, he would understand the English. As a graduate of the world’s best veterinary school, he also thought his profession would come naturally to him. He quickly learned not to make assumptions… Bruce began his career at the prestigious Woodrow & Singleton surgery in the heart of the Knightsbridge. Frequented by Britain’s most distinguished pet owners, from Duchesses and Sultans to Paul McCartney and Elizabeth Taylor, it also cared for the exotic inhabitants of the Harrods’ ‘Zoo Department.’ Over the next few years, an arc of clients would cross Bruce’s table, from cats and dogs to alligators, pumas and even a capuchin monkey. Each adventure taught Bruce far more than any textbook ever could, while skilful veterinary nurses provided the greatest lessons of all. Call the Vet is a wonderfully rich and warmly funny memoir. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s’ London, it explores the unique bond between pets and their owners; the common thread of compassion that unites all cultures and classes, and the discovery of love and joy in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of Noel Fitzpatrick, Ben Fogle and Kate Humble!
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2020
14 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 28, 2020
Young Canadian newbie vet, Bruce Fogle, arrived in Britain in 1970 on a scholarship at London's Regent Park Zoo and becomes assistant vet at the exclusive Knightsbridge Woodrow and Singleton veterinary practice, with its aristocratic upper class, film star and other wealthy clients. He harboured the delusion that he was British only to find he really wasn't, they were different, as he sees its addled class divisions, the prominence of the stiff upper lip, as when a man, with his nanny, displays no emotion when his labrador is put down. However, he is to find himself turning native through time, appreciating the British habit of understatement and use of irony. Fogle immerses himself in London and its different communities, the politics, such as the EEC referendum, getting over his horse allergy by riding Euripides, a horse, on the city streets, engaging with the culture of the period, going to the theatre and concerts.
His boss, Brian Singleton, is ethical, with a great reputation in the profession, conventional and frankly, scary, to a Fogle who is to find he has a tremendous amount to learn, about himself, animals, their owners, London and its different communities, and that it is actually the veterinary nurses who really know and understand pets, clients, and the relevant clinical procedures. He goes on home visits, and weekly rounds at Harrod's pet department, which had skunks and even, surprisingly, a puma, for whom tragedy lies in the future. It will not take long before exotic animals no longer featured in their department, although the pet department does not close until 2014. Fogle eventually finds an American girlfriend, Rose, at Speaker's Corner, and on her return home, meets and within 2 years marries actress Julia, who has a daughter, Emily, and sets up his own practice near Marble Arch.
The 1970s had the veterinary profession operating in the dark ages, with huge improvements and developments to come in the future, moving from practical utilitarian practices towards the more necessary shifts to take account of animal welfare, coming with the increasing number of women joining the profession and their more empathetic approaches. Fogle admits he had a big learning curving when it came to taking care of animals, and he would never have thought about a number of issues, such as pain management, if it hadn't been for the nurses. There is much that made my blood boil when it came to the treatment of animals, particularly how they were treated when Fogle was training in Canada. There is much about the 1970s that made me feel grateful that those times are over, the sexist norms, such as nurses being fired if they got pregnant and the greater prevalence of sexual harrassment, the class divisions, to the dreadful ways animals were treated.
This is an interesting and fascinating memoir that highlights the Britain of the 1970s and the state of veterinary science and practice in London from the perspective of a Canadian vet. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
His boss, Brian Singleton, is ethical, with a great reputation in the profession, conventional and frankly, scary, to a Fogle who is to find he has a tremendous amount to learn, about himself, animals, their owners, London and its different communities, and that it is actually the veterinary nurses who really know and understand pets, clients, and the relevant clinical procedures. He goes on home visits, and weekly rounds at Harrod's pet department, which had skunks and even, surprisingly, a puma, for whom tragedy lies in the future. It will not take long before exotic animals no longer featured in their department, although the pet department does not close until 2014. Fogle eventually finds an American girlfriend, Rose, at Speaker's Corner, and on her return home, meets and within 2 years marries actress Julia, who has a daughter, Emily, and sets up his own practice near Marble Arch.
The 1970s had the veterinary profession operating in the dark ages, with huge improvements and developments to come in the future, moving from practical utilitarian practices towards the more necessary shifts to take account of animal welfare, coming with the increasing number of women joining the profession and their more empathetic approaches. Fogle admits he had a big learning curving when it came to taking care of animals, and he would never have thought about a number of issues, such as pain management, if it hadn't been for the nurses. There is much that made my blood boil when it came to the treatment of animals, particularly how they were treated when Fogle was training in Canada. There is much about the 1970s that made me feel grateful that those times are over, the sexist norms, such as nurses being fired if they got pregnant and the greater prevalence of sexual harrassment, the class divisions, to the dreadful ways animals were treated.
This is an interesting and fascinating memoir that highlights the Britain of the 1970s and the state of veterinary science and practice in London from the perspective of a Canadian vet. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
November 12, 2020
Canadian vet, Bruce Fogle, was fresh out of Ontario Veterinary College and on a fellowship at Regent’s Park Zoo when he agreed to join prestigious Knightsbridge surgery, Woodrow Singleton, as an assistant vet working for well-respected Brian Singleton. Despite the absence of a language barrier Fogle found it took a lot longer to understand the English culture with the stiff upper lip, fluency of swearing in general conversation and the love of understatement and irony. Call the Vet is a mix of Fogle’s early experiences with patients, owners and those he worked alongside through to varied observations on London and everything from the political climate, the class structure to some very famous pet owners. Whilst Bruce went native over the course of the next decade his first two years working for Brian were a baptism of fire in many respects. With the surgery just five minutes walk from Harrods and the lab coats and scrubs that he was used to in Canada replaced with Savile Row suits, Fogle met everyone from dog breeders to the wealthy right through to those owners who simply let their dogs out in the morning for an entire day!
Fogle makes clear how far the world of veterinary medicine has come and freely admits how primitive some of the treatment methods of the 1970s were and the complete absence of concern for the pain management of the animals. I admired his honesty in admitting that many of these issues he has simply never thought of until either nurses suggested and his recognition of the value of the veterinary nurses who encouraged him to consider the animals welfare is commendable. Whilst Fogle acknowledges that his recommendations for transporting animals bound for the now defunct pet department at Harrods to the ethical treatment of the wildlife animals they sold were long overdue I found it more shocking that he was the first qualified animal practitioner to raise these concerns. There are a few rather graphic descriptions of procedures (that I found too technical to comprehend) but in the main I found the book an informative read and would recommend for anyone interested in advancements in the field of veterinary medicine. Given many of the treatments sound cruel by today’s standards the book was rather more serious than the premise had led me to expect with far fewer animal and owner anecdotes than I had hoped for.
As well as rapidly bringing the reader up to speed with Fogle leaving Brian Singleton’s employment and becoming his own boss in 1973, the later part of the book covers his relationship and marriage to actress, Julia Foster, and hobnobbing with the stars of stage and screen and it was here that my interest waned significantly. I did feel that the book would have benefited from a more coherent structure and on several occasions a topic which had previously been covered was referred to again and this lack of logical progression made for a bitty read. The book also seemed to use a confusing mix of present and past tense and the hindsight commentary on the 1970s treatment of animals and their welfare might have been more suited to a complete chapter of its own as opposed to interspersed throughout.
Fogle makes clear how far the world of veterinary medicine has come and freely admits how primitive some of the treatment methods of the 1970s were and the complete absence of concern for the pain management of the animals. I admired his honesty in admitting that many of these issues he has simply never thought of until either nurses suggested and his recognition of the value of the veterinary nurses who encouraged him to consider the animals welfare is commendable. Whilst Fogle acknowledges that his recommendations for transporting animals bound for the now defunct pet department at Harrods to the ethical treatment of the wildlife animals they sold were long overdue I found it more shocking that he was the first qualified animal practitioner to raise these concerns. There are a few rather graphic descriptions of procedures (that I found too technical to comprehend) but in the main I found the book an informative read and would recommend for anyone interested in advancements in the field of veterinary medicine. Given many of the treatments sound cruel by today’s standards the book was rather more serious than the premise had led me to expect with far fewer animal and owner anecdotes than I had hoped for.
As well as rapidly bringing the reader up to speed with Fogle leaving Brian Singleton’s employment and becoming his own boss in 1973, the later part of the book covers his relationship and marriage to actress, Julia Foster, and hobnobbing with the stars of stage and screen and it was here that my interest waned significantly. I did feel that the book would have benefited from a more coherent structure and on several occasions a topic which had previously been covered was referred to again and this lack of logical progression made for a bitty read. The book also seemed to use a confusing mix of present and past tense and the hindsight commentary on the 1970s treatment of animals and their welfare might have been more suited to a complete chapter of its own as opposed to interspersed throughout.
November 28, 2020
Rounded up from 3.5 ⭐️ I’m not usually the biggest fan of non-fiction books. However, I really enjoyed this memoir!
Call the vet follows Bruce back to his life in the early 1970s. Where he has recently qualified as a vet and moved to England from Canada. Along the way we get insights into his patients, their owners and his personal relationships. As well as the lessons he learnt during his career and from the people around him.
I admit, at first I was not the biggest fan of Bruce. But I liked the brutal honesty of character that came across. As Bruce learns more from his clients and the nurses at his practice he grows so much. I loved seeing this transformation and definitely warmed to him completely by the end.
I am a huge animal lover, which made reading this book both amusing and heart wrenching. I loved the happy accounts of animals and their behaviours. There was some parts that were so hard to read, but they show so much of the beauty that can come from animal and human relationships. Bruce may have learnt a lot from these early years in his career, but his book has taught me a lot too.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes non-fiction or interesting biographies. Or for anyone like me, who just loves animals!
Call the vet follows Bruce back to his life in the early 1970s. Where he has recently qualified as a vet and moved to England from Canada. Along the way we get insights into his patients, their owners and his personal relationships. As well as the lessons he learnt during his career and from the people around him.
I admit, at first I was not the biggest fan of Bruce. But I liked the brutal honesty of character that came across. As Bruce learns more from his clients and the nurses at his practice he grows so much. I loved seeing this transformation and definitely warmed to him completely by the end.
I am a huge animal lover, which made reading this book both amusing and heart wrenching. I loved the happy accounts of animals and their behaviours. There was some parts that were so hard to read, but they show so much of the beauty that can come from animal and human relationships. Bruce may have learnt a lot from these early years in his career, but his book has taught me a lot too.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes non-fiction or interesting biographies. Or for anyone like me, who just loves animals!
November 2, 2020
Canadian Bruce Fogle arrived in London in the 1970’s as a graduate of the world’s best veterinary school. He began his career in Knightsbridge and his clients included the likes of Paul McCartney, Elizabeth Taylor to name a few and even including Duchesses and Sultans. He also cared for the exotic inhabitants of Harrod’s ‘Zoo dept’.
As his clients varied over the years from dogs to alligators, Bruce learnt far more than he could from any pet manual.
A highly entertaining and interesting read that really captured my attention from the first page. Bruce has so many tales to tell of the pets and their clients, it’s impossible to put the book down and whether you’re an animal lover or not you’ll enjoy the many stories that he relates. I’d happily recommend this book to readers of all ages!
4 stars
As his clients varied over the years from dogs to alligators, Bruce learnt far more than he could from any pet manual.
A highly entertaining and interesting read that really captured my attention from the first page. Bruce has so many tales to tell of the pets and their clients, it’s impossible to put the book down and whether you’re an animal lover or not you’ll enjoy the many stories that he relates. I’d happily recommend this book to readers of all ages!
4 stars
August 22, 2023
A truly wonderful, inspiring and heartwarming memoir with animals and their welfare at its centre, Call the Vet details Fogle's trials and tribulations in becoming a veterinarian as well being absolutely replete with fascinating anecdotes about a range of different species and their owners whom he came into contact with in order to care for their pets. A must read for any animal lover or those who may be considering this line of work in the future as it gives a lot of valuable insight into the profession from a true veteran..
October 1, 2020
Ever since I read James Herriot’s books as a child, I’ve always enjoyed reading vet’s accounts of their work. I would say that, on balance, this is more towards the autobiography side, than the account of veterinary work.
It took me a while to get into this book. To start with, I found the use of tenses confusing. The whole book takes place in the 1970s, but it kept switching from present to past tense, and back. Either this improves as the book went on, or I became used to it, as it stopped bothering me from about half way through.
I enjoyed reading this account of the author’s life in the early 1970s. It contains just enough of the animals to keep it interesting to me. I appreciated the candour and honesty when mentioning the ethical side of a vet’s job, at the time. It’s interesting to compare that to current times, and see the improvements that have happened in animal behavioural science, especially.
The book also paints a picture of 1970s London as the background. I’m not particularly interested in this, so I occasionally found it a little tedious. However, if you are interested in recent history, this will add to your enjoyment.
Overall, I felt this was an honest look at a snippet of historical veterinary work, with plenty of interest from different aspects.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
It took me a while to get into this book. To start with, I found the use of tenses confusing. The whole book takes place in the 1970s, but it kept switching from present to past tense, and back. Either this improves as the book went on, or I became used to it, as it stopped bothering me from about half way through.
I enjoyed reading this account of the author’s life in the early 1970s. It contains just enough of the animals to keep it interesting to me. I appreciated the candour and honesty when mentioning the ethical side of a vet’s job, at the time. It’s interesting to compare that to current times, and see the improvements that have happened in animal behavioural science, especially.
The book also paints a picture of 1970s London as the background. I’m not particularly interested in this, so I occasionally found it a little tedious. However, if you are interested in recent history, this will add to your enjoyment.
Overall, I felt this was an honest look at a snippet of historical veterinary work, with plenty of interest from different aspects.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
November 2, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.
Call the Vet is an enjoyable and interesting book about the life of Bruce Fogle in 1970s London. It charts the experiences of Bruce working as a vet, at a time where people rarely even thought animals were capable of feeling pain.
I enjoyed the stories Bruce told and it is clear that he cares for animals. However, as this is the 1970s, unfortunately not even Bruce is immune from incredibly disturbing attitudes towards animals.
He mentions quite honestly, a number of times in the book, where he lacked awareness and thought his behaviour was unacceptable. I was happy to see this self reflection but felt let down that this is hardly explored at all in the book.
When I was nearing the end, I honestly couldn't believe there wasn't more material that would describe how he has changed. It meant that I was left with a rather poor view of Bruce and his attitudes towards animals.
I also felt at times that the book is rather sexist and a number of times described women were described as "girls". This left a bad taste in my mouth and while I understand that views were very different then, I didn't understand the purpose of using this language. This is after all a story about animals and Bruces' experiences as a vet.
Overall, I enjoyed the stories, and the book certainly was a nice escape from the non-fiction I usually read. However, given the lack of self reflection, by the end of the book I very much felt a sense of 'where's the rest?'
Call the Vet is an enjoyable and interesting book about the life of Bruce Fogle in 1970s London. It charts the experiences of Bruce working as a vet, at a time where people rarely even thought animals were capable of feeling pain.
I enjoyed the stories Bruce told and it is clear that he cares for animals. However, as this is the 1970s, unfortunately not even Bruce is immune from incredibly disturbing attitudes towards animals.
He mentions quite honestly, a number of times in the book, where he lacked awareness and thought his behaviour was unacceptable. I was happy to see this self reflection but felt let down that this is hardly explored at all in the book.
When I was nearing the end, I honestly couldn't believe there wasn't more material that would describe how he has changed. It meant that I was left with a rather poor view of Bruce and his attitudes towards animals.
I also felt at times that the book is rather sexist and a number of times described women were described as "girls". This left a bad taste in my mouth and while I understand that views were very different then, I didn't understand the purpose of using this language. This is after all a story about animals and Bruces' experiences as a vet.
Overall, I enjoyed the stories, and the book certainly was a nice escape from the non-fiction I usually read. However, given the lack of self reflection, by the end of the book I very much felt a sense of 'where's the rest?'
November 26, 2020
The book is about a young and inexperienced vet from Canadian and his introduction to London society through his job as a vet in London in the 1970s.
I grew up in this decade so I enjoyed being reminded of events of the time, some of which I was too young to really realise the significance of at the time. I also enjoyed reading about how London society was at that time and also the veterinary practices of the day, both which have changed significantly when compared to now.
Being a pet owner and having to have made difficult decisions in the past some of the passages about medical procedures were a bit upsetting but to be expected in a book on this subject. The author is very honest and does not leave anything to the imagination. I did find the technical sections interesting though.
My biggest complaint about the book was that it didn’t flow very well and jumped around quite a bit. If the writing (or perhaps the editing) had improved on this it would probably have been four stars.
I grew up in this decade so I enjoyed being reminded of events of the time, some of which I was too young to really realise the significance of at the time. I also enjoyed reading about how London society was at that time and also the veterinary practices of the day, both which have changed significantly when compared to now.
Being a pet owner and having to have made difficult decisions in the past some of the passages about medical procedures were a bit upsetting but to be expected in a book on this subject. The author is very honest and does not leave anything to the imagination. I did find the technical sections interesting though.
My biggest complaint about the book was that it didn’t flow very well and jumped around quite a bit. If the writing (or perhaps the editing) had improved on this it would probably have been four stars.
November 29, 2020
Started off enjoying it and I did enjoy hearing all the funny stories of Bruce in his line of work and understand that not every case is successful.
But as an animal lover myself some of the behind the scenes situations and feelings towards animals at this point in time just totally jarred.
I was horrified to read of the callous disregard towards live experiments for vets to practice on.
So to be completely honest I kind of switched off from those situations within the book as that kind of thing is one of my personal triggers.
So sadly this just wasn't for me which was a shame as I was really looking forward to this one.
To be fair it was well written and of course this will appeal to a lot of people who just aren't as sensitive as me so can't totally dismiss it and this is just my personal opinion.
Different times, different attitudes and morals I guess.
But as an animal lover myself some of the behind the scenes situations and feelings towards animals at this point in time just totally jarred.
I was horrified to read of the callous disregard towards live experiments for vets to practice on.
So to be completely honest I kind of switched off from those situations within the book as that kind of thing is one of my personal triggers.
So sadly this just wasn't for me which was a shame as I was really looking forward to this one.
To be fair it was well written and of course this will appeal to a lot of people who just aren't as sensitive as me so can't totally dismiss it and this is just my personal opinion.
Different times, different attitudes and morals I guess.
October 11, 2022
I read this book because I knew Brian Singleton. He was a very good friend of my father and they trained together as vets in Edinburgh. So, it was interesting for me to read about his London practice. I do wonder what Brian would have thought of this version of events. Fogle has written an engaging memoir and he captures 70s London well.
December 4, 2020
In the 1970s I loved reading about the life and work of the Yorkshire vet James Herriott, always looking through the shelves of the local library for the latest book. This book is the same genre but instead of being set in Yorkshire it's set in a very upmarket area of Knightsbridge in London. Here in the early 1970s we meet Bruce Fogle, (father of the TV presenter Ben Fogle), newly qualified and from Toronto, Canada, he arrives in Knightsbridge thinking that he knew how British people behaved and cared about their pets but very soon he finds out that this is not always the case. From visiting the home of a prostitute in Soho to patch up her dobermans, to an influential lady in the Kennel Club, who is not keen on new technology, he finds that the area is home to all sorts. In those days the large department store Harrods had it's own pet shop and not just puppies and kittens but lions and alligators were sold there too and they all needed a vet to visit to make sure all was well with them. It just seems so incredible that this happened then but this was the 1970s and life was so much different then and this shows in so much of this book. Also there are the circus animals, in the 1970s it was common to have animals performing and they too had there fair share of ailments.
This book will make you both happy and sad, make you wonder and stop and think and be star struck all at the same time, as Bruce meets celebrities all the time. When he meets up with his future wife I found the story to be very engaging and all the time the animals are there too, with their ailments and some are hilarious and some are very sad, but all in all a very readable book.
This book will make you both happy and sad, make you wonder and stop and think and be star struck all at the same time, as Bruce meets celebrities all the time. When he meets up with his future wife I found the story to be very engaging and all the time the animals are there too, with their ailments and some are hilarious and some are very sad, but all in all a very readable book.
October 29, 2020
Very good vet memoir.
This is a memoir of the author's first years as a vet, in London, in the 70s. He's originally from Canada, and working as an assistant in a veterinary practice in Knightsbridge, London, after leaving veterinary college in Ontario.
I love this type of memoir: Anything medical-vet/nurse/doctor/midwife-so when I saw this one I quickly snapped it up. Unusually for me, I didn't really read the blurb-I chose it simply because I saw vet; memoir etc. So it was a pleasant surprise, and added another dimension to it when I was 40% of the way through it and discovered I was actually reading about Ben Fogle's dad! (I'm not telling you any spoilers there-it is all in the book description-what a dummy for missing this!). I think, in my case, it was better this way, because, despite the same surname, I wasn't expecting it, I didn't see it coming. And there was more: His wife, and Ben Fogle's mum is a well-known actress.
Despite reading a few vet memoirs before, there was still quite a bit of different material in this; cases and conditions I hadn't met before, as well as routine things, and unexpected dramas. As it is London-there are a few celeb clients. He treats circus and zoo animals as well as smaller animals.
This was a very good book. I really enjoyed it, it was quick, easy reading. I finished it in just a couple of days. The book is complete-but if he decides to write a further volume sometime, I'd be very happy to read it.
This is a memoir of the author's first years as a vet, in London, in the 70s. He's originally from Canada, and working as an assistant in a veterinary practice in Knightsbridge, London, after leaving veterinary college in Ontario.
I love this type of memoir: Anything medical-vet/nurse/doctor/midwife-so when I saw this one I quickly snapped it up. Unusually for me, I didn't really read the blurb-I chose it simply because I saw vet; memoir etc. So it was a pleasant surprise, and added another dimension to it when I was 40% of the way through it and discovered I was actually reading about Ben Fogle's dad! (I'm not telling you any spoilers there-it is all in the book description-what a dummy for missing this!). I think, in my case, it was better this way, because, despite the same surname, I wasn't expecting it, I didn't see it coming. And there was more: His wife, and Ben Fogle's mum is a well-known actress.
Despite reading a few vet memoirs before, there was still quite a bit of different material in this; cases and conditions I hadn't met before, as well as routine things, and unexpected dramas. As it is London-there are a few celeb clients. He treats circus and zoo animals as well as smaller animals.
This was a very good book. I really enjoyed it, it was quick, easy reading. I finished it in just a couple of days. The book is complete-but if he decides to write a further volume sometime, I'd be very happy to read it.
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August 13, 2021An interesting insight into how vets care for our pets. Bruce Fogle shares stories from the 1970s and it is heart-breaking to realise that at that time the orthodoxy was that animals don’t feel pain, like humans. Observation and his instincts gave Bruce Fogle the understanding that they do and deserved better treatment. As a ‘celebrity vet,’ he shares stories of some of the famous clientele. He was dating actress Julia Foster and so inevitably they met a lot of theatre folk. The stories that resonated most deeply for me were those of Miss Williams, valiant cat rescuer, Pat, the unflappable surgery nurse, and the many ordinary people who loved their pets.
December 28, 2021
I grabbed this book real quick as it was on the new arrival desk at the front of the library. Didn’t realise it’s one of the famous vets that was on my required readings for animal behaviour course.
Thorough enjoyed the book!
Veterinary profession have changed so much since and it’s interesting to see how different (backward) it used to be. There are still a long way to go though.
Thorough enjoyed the book!
Veterinary profession have changed so much since and it’s interesting to see how different (backward) it used to be. There are still a long way to go though.
November 21, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
Whilst not a massive animal fan, nor having any specific interest in veterinary medicine or procedure, I was very pleased to note that I found myself rather enjoying the book.
The book is very well written, and offers a very interesting history of 1970s London from the perspective of the Canadian born vet. There are stories to make you laugh and others that will move you. I enjoyed the explanations about procedures and medications and how they would change over the years - all very interesting.
The picture the author paints of life in the 1970s is eye opening and colourful, rich with characters, and it is very interesting to hear how life was for someone just starting their career in a somewhat foreign country. It was interesting to read about the differences the author experienced from his home life in Canada to living in London, expressions, practices and beliefs, and how they shaped his professional and personal life.
Well worth a read!
Whilst not a massive animal fan, nor having any specific interest in veterinary medicine or procedure, I was very pleased to note that I found myself rather enjoying the book.
The book is very well written, and offers a very interesting history of 1970s London from the perspective of the Canadian born vet. There are stories to make you laugh and others that will move you. I enjoyed the explanations about procedures and medications and how they would change over the years - all very interesting.
The picture the author paints of life in the 1970s is eye opening and colourful, rich with characters, and it is very interesting to hear how life was for someone just starting their career in a somewhat foreign country. It was interesting to read about the differences the author experienced from his home life in Canada to living in London, expressions, practices and beliefs, and how they shaped his professional and personal life.
Well worth a read!
December 12, 2020
I received a free copy of this book thanks to Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
I used to enjoy reading James Herriot’s memoirs of his life as a vet in Yorkshire when I was younger so I was quite looking forward to this book. This isn’t quite the same as those because it is much more autobiographical and Bruce Fogle (TV presenter Ben Fogle’s Dad) is working in an up-market practise in a posh area of London in the 1970s. This being said, I enjoyed reading about how different things were back then – treating not just influential celebrities’ animals but the pet department of Harrods which at the time were able to sell exotic animals such as pumas.
Although I enjoyed the book it did take a while to get into it and it did take me quite a long time to read through. He goes into quite a lot of depth about various procedures he performed and explains about various veterinary drugs which some readers may find a bit long-winded/boring. It also switches between past and present tense which can be a bit confusing in places and seemed to halt the flow of the book, in my opinion. I appreciated the honesty that runs throughout the book – Fogle freely admits that some of the practises they performed would now be considered largely unethical and I thought it was quite interesting to read up on all this.
Overall, it was an interesting snippet of detail about veterinary practise in the 1970s but didn’t grab my imagination as much as I was hoping.
I used to enjoy reading James Herriot’s memoirs of his life as a vet in Yorkshire when I was younger so I was quite looking forward to this book. This isn’t quite the same as those because it is much more autobiographical and Bruce Fogle (TV presenter Ben Fogle’s Dad) is working in an up-market practise in a posh area of London in the 1970s. This being said, I enjoyed reading about how different things were back then – treating not just influential celebrities’ animals but the pet department of Harrods which at the time were able to sell exotic animals such as pumas.
Although I enjoyed the book it did take a while to get into it and it did take me quite a long time to read through. He goes into quite a lot of depth about various procedures he performed and explains about various veterinary drugs which some readers may find a bit long-winded/boring. It also switches between past and present tense which can be a bit confusing in places and seemed to halt the flow of the book, in my opinion. I appreciated the honesty that runs throughout the book – Fogle freely admits that some of the practises they performed would now be considered largely unethical and I thought it was quite interesting to read up on all this.
Overall, it was an interesting snippet of detail about veterinary practise in the 1970s but didn’t grab my imagination as much as I was hoping.
October 13, 2022
I received a free copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers, in return for an unbiased review. As a few others have said, the tense hopping did make it a little jarring - sometimes past, past progressive, hard to follow in places. I understand you can’t just ignore mistakes in history - Harrods not only sold pets until 2014, they sold wild animals during the 70s when this book is set. Fogle explains how he didn’t think to question when in his training, students were operating on animals, letting them heal and operating again to learn - and if they died, you got others in. Horrible, but group think meant they never questioned it. There were other similar instances in the book where I admit I didn’t have the most favourable view of the author, though I did respect him now acknowledging that his thinking had been wrong. Overall a nice light book to read, but much like the author seems to have done, one you coast through without needing much investment. (And if we all had a charmed life where when something goes wrong you can call up well connected friends to fix, that would be nice, eh?).
October 31, 2021
65% of the way through and I just can't do it anymore. I don't like Bruce enough to continue and it's hard reading about the negative stuff pertaining to veterinary medicine and attitudes toward animals at that time. He's a capable writer and has written a number of other books, but now I'm not sure I want to try any of them.
December 3, 2020
Arriving in 1970s’ London as a fresh-faced Canadian, Bruce Fogle assumed that because he knew the language, he would understand the English. As a graduate of the world’s best veterinary school, he also thought his profession would come naturally to him. He quickly learned not to make assumptions… Bruce began his career at the prestigious Woodrow & Singleton surgery in the heart of the Knightsbridge. Frequented by Britain’s most distinguished pet owners, from Duchesses and Sultans to Paul McCartney and Elizabeth Taylor, it also cared for the exotic inhabitants of the Harrods’ ‘Zoo Department.’ Over the next few years, an arc of clients would cross Bruce’s table, from cats and dogs to alligators, pumas and even a capuchin monkey. Each adventure taught Bruce far more than any textbook ever could, while skilful veterinary nurses provided the greatest lessons of all. Call the Vet is a wonderfully rich and warmly funny memoir. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s’ London, it explores the unique bond between pets and their owners; the common thread of compassion that unites all cultures and classes, and the discovery of love and joy in unexpected places.
Before reading, I was not familiar with Bruce Fogle but I really love and have a genuine interest in animals so I was very excited to read this memoir. I found this very eye opening and I have definitely learnt a lot about animals after reading this book.
I have never read a memoir from a vet before so I was not sure what to expect. It included things such as day to day life at the vets, cases, new illnesses/diseases, unexpected events and zoo visits.
Of course, some of the cases are very upsetting, but there is a good balance of bad and good cases.
One of my favourite parts was how he talks about the relationship between a pet and their owner. For people who have no pets can find it hard to understand as to why you love and care about your animal so much as ‘it is only a pet’, I have heard this comment so many times. A pet is so much more than an animal you look after. They can be your friend, companion, family member and so much more. It was really nice that Bruce recognised this and included it in the memoir.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick and easy read, but also very insightful. I absolutely love cats and I learnt some new things about them which was also a plus! If you have a love for animals or are interested becoming a vet then I’m sure you will love this book.
Before reading, I was not familiar with Bruce Fogle but I really love and have a genuine interest in animals so I was very excited to read this memoir. I found this very eye opening and I have definitely learnt a lot about animals after reading this book.
I have never read a memoir from a vet before so I was not sure what to expect. It included things such as day to day life at the vets, cases, new illnesses/diseases, unexpected events and zoo visits.
Of course, some of the cases are very upsetting, but there is a good balance of bad and good cases.
One of my favourite parts was how he talks about the relationship between a pet and their owner. For people who have no pets can find it hard to understand as to why you love and care about your animal so much as ‘it is only a pet’, I have heard this comment so many times. A pet is so much more than an animal you look after. They can be your friend, companion, family member and so much more. It was really nice that Bruce recognised this and included it in the memoir.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick and easy read, but also very insightful. I absolutely love cats and I learnt some new things about them which was also a plus! If you have a love for animals or are interested becoming a vet then I’m sure you will love this book.
February 28, 2021
3.5 stars.
I don't read memoirs very often, but I picked up this book after reading a short extract from it. It tells the story of Bruce Fogle, a Canadian vet who moves to the UK in the 70s and describes life in the UK back then through the eyes of a foreigner who speaks the same language, but does not come from the same culture.
I wanted to be a vet when I was a child -- this did not happen, but I still find the profession very interesting. When I started reading this book, I thought that I had never come across Bruce Fogle, however, I was wrong. I read a couple of his books on dogs when I was younger and very much enjoyed them. This book provides an interesting insight into what life of a vet looked like in the 70s -- many things have changed since (views on animal perception of pain, new technologies and available medication), but many things have stayed the same (the strong bonds between owners and their pets). I was also surprised to learn that you used to be able to buy exotic animals from London Zoo in Harrods - seems really ages ago, especially given how difficult it can now be to even buy a goldfish at Pets at Home!
The book also talks about how the author met his wife, actress Julia Foster, as well as difficulties and challenges at the beginning of one's career - from learning to trust your diagnosis to deciding on when it's time to leave your first job and move on.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.
I don't read memoirs very often, but I picked up this book after reading a short extract from it. It tells the story of Bruce Fogle, a Canadian vet who moves to the UK in the 70s and describes life in the UK back then through the eyes of a foreigner who speaks the same language, but does not come from the same culture.
I wanted to be a vet when I was a child -- this did not happen, but I still find the profession very interesting. When I started reading this book, I thought that I had never come across Bruce Fogle, however, I was wrong. I read a couple of his books on dogs when I was younger and very much enjoyed them. This book provides an interesting insight into what life of a vet looked like in the 70s -- many things have changed since (views on animal perception of pain, new technologies and available medication), but many things have stayed the same (the strong bonds between owners and their pets). I was also surprised to learn that you used to be able to buy exotic animals from London Zoo in Harrods - seems really ages ago, especially given how difficult it can now be to even buy a goldfish at Pets at Home!
The book also talks about how the author met his wife, actress Julia Foster, as well as difficulties and challenges at the beginning of one's career - from learning to trust your diagnosis to deciding on when it's time to leave your first job and move on.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.
January 23, 2021
Today I'm going to be reviewing a book I received from ReadersFirst; Call the vet by Bruce Fogle.
Today's book is a little bit different as it's not my usual read. It's an auto biography.
Now, I'm a huge fiction reader and I don't often read non-fiction books so this was a lot different to the fantasy filled stuff that I usually indulge in.
Due to the nature of the book I found it a little bit more difficult to review but I'm going to give it a go.
I have no prior knowledge of the author or what the occupation of a vet entails.
I was excited to find that this book spoke about the Harrods pet shop! Because I always wondered what that was about but never bothered to actually look it up. Reading it from a first person's account was a great experience.
This book was oddly inspirational in terms of exploration in life. I found it particularly interesting to be inside the head of another person from a different time. It gave me an experience of what the 1970s were actually like. Which was different to what I expected.
However, it was a little slow paced but that may be because it's telling a life story, I'm not sure.
I don't think this is going to be something that I'm going to re-read but it was definitely exciting to have the opportunity to read it the first time.
Today's book is a little bit different as it's not my usual read. It's an auto biography.
Now, I'm a huge fiction reader and I don't often read non-fiction books so this was a lot different to the fantasy filled stuff that I usually indulge in.
Due to the nature of the book I found it a little bit more difficult to review but I'm going to give it a go.
I have no prior knowledge of the author or what the occupation of a vet entails.
I was excited to find that this book spoke about the Harrods pet shop! Because I always wondered what that was about but never bothered to actually look it up. Reading it from a first person's account was a great experience.
This book was oddly inspirational in terms of exploration in life. I found it particularly interesting to be inside the head of another person from a different time. It gave me an experience of what the 1970s were actually like. Which was different to what I expected.
However, it was a little slow paced but that may be because it's telling a life story, I'm not sure.
I don't think this is going to be something that I'm going to re-read but it was definitely exciting to have the opportunity to read it the first time.
November 12, 2024
Listened to the audiobook.
immediate thoughts:
Agree with other reviews that say it had an odd knack for mentioning cruel and thoughtless treatment of animals by vets and the public and sometimes mentioning how treatments and attitudes had changed, and other times not at all. Not a criticism of Vogel and his actions, but moreso that the book regularly drops the ball, and uses some incidents as throwaway. I do respect the fact he often recounts not thinking away from his training and authority as a younger vet, but the points he decides to make seem to highlight omissions more than anything even if removed to repetition in the book itself.
People in the books like Mrs Wax and Christopher have the benefit of close relationship with Vogel and to explore the issues of pedigree, crufts, the kennel club and social standing of their buyers.Would have liked to hear more about the realisation and turning away from meetings with drug manufacturers, but that is more of a personal point and liked the criticism of the industry, breeding and selling of pets and exotic animals.
Felt like there should be more veterinary content as the personal life came to thr forefront especially, as he was supposed to be weighing up going to Canada or staying in London and marrying his wife and opening up his own practice
immediate thoughts:
Agree with other reviews that say it had an odd knack for mentioning cruel and thoughtless treatment of animals by vets and the public and sometimes mentioning how treatments and attitudes had changed, and other times not at all. Not a criticism of Vogel and his actions, but moreso that the book regularly drops the ball, and uses some incidents as throwaway. I do respect the fact he often recounts not thinking away from his training and authority as a younger vet, but the points he decides to make seem to highlight omissions more than anything even if removed to repetition in the book itself.
People in the books like Mrs Wax and Christopher have the benefit of close relationship with Vogel and to explore the issues of pedigree, crufts, the kennel club and social standing of their buyers.Would have liked to hear more about the realisation and turning away from meetings with drug manufacturers, but that is more of a personal point and liked the criticism of the industry, breeding and selling of pets and exotic animals.
Felt like there should be more veterinary content as the personal life came to thr forefront especially, as he was supposed to be weighing up going to Canada or staying in London and marrying his wife and opening up his own practice
October 26, 2020
This a wonderful warm stroll down memory lane. A memoir of a Canadian born vet, Bruce Fogle, living and working in his first job in 1970's London after qualification. He is in a prestigious practice in Knightsbridge, tending to patients from Harrods department store and the great and good of British Society.
He is learning fast that just because you speak English you shouldn't assume you know about Britain and it's idiosyncrasies.
It is a warm, funny and witty journey, written in a very easy style to read. Very enjoyable and relatable in the vein of James Herriot but with 70's flares and sandals (notably on the banned list of suitable attire for a vet).
I really enjoyed it primarily as it took me back to my own first days as a vet in practice over 20 years ago, I too remember being told I looked about 16 years old and could they see the real vet please. The description of the relationships with owners and their pets is real and genuine and gave me shivers to remember very similar of my own stories.
I would love to read the rest of this book and the rest of Bruce's adventures.
He is learning fast that just because you speak English you shouldn't assume you know about Britain and it's idiosyncrasies.
It is a warm, funny and witty journey, written in a very easy style to read. Very enjoyable and relatable in the vein of James Herriot but with 70's flares and sandals (notably on the banned list of suitable attire for a vet).
I really enjoyed it primarily as it took me back to my own first days as a vet in practice over 20 years ago, I too remember being told I looked about 16 years old and could they see the real vet please. The description of the relationships with owners and their pets is real and genuine and gave me shivers to remember very similar of my own stories.
I would love to read the rest of this book and the rest of Bruce's adventures.
November 5, 2020
I was really disappointed with this book but that’s my own fault. Seeing the fun cover I was expecting a book like All Creatures Great And Small which I had loved reading as I was growing up, funny cases and some sad ones but this was definitely not like that.
This book is more like an autobiography about the writer. He is Canadian and got a scholarship to come to England to work in London Zoo and then at Woodrow and Singleton vets practice in Knightsbridge which is where a lot of celebrities would take their pets, added pressure to get everything right but he soon became used to that. His work also involved looking after the animals in Harrods and Harrods being Harrods it wasn’t just your normal pets that he was treating.
There is a lot in the book about the ethical side of a vets job back in the 1970’s, I am pretty glad that my pets see a vet of today and not back then.
I suppose it wouldn’t have been to bad a book if I hadn’t decided on what I thought I was going to read and just gone into it with a blank mind
This book is more like an autobiography about the writer. He is Canadian and got a scholarship to come to England to work in London Zoo and then at Woodrow and Singleton vets practice in Knightsbridge which is where a lot of celebrities would take their pets, added pressure to get everything right but he soon became used to that. His work also involved looking after the animals in Harrods and Harrods being Harrods it wasn’t just your normal pets that he was treating.
There is a lot in the book about the ethical side of a vets job back in the 1970’s, I am pretty glad that my pets see a vet of today and not back then.
I suppose it wouldn’t have been to bad a book if I hadn’t decided on what I thought I was going to read and just gone into it with a blank mind
November 21, 2020
This was a really easy book to read and it was a lot of fun. Not only were the stories about Bruce’s patients humorous and sometimes heartbreaking, the descriptions of the upper-middle and upper classes in 70’s London were fun and often outrageous. I had no idea that Harrods used to sell exotic animals!
The really interesting thing about this book was reading about how the veterinary industry has changed its opinions about and treatment of our pets over the last 50 years - it’s hard to believe that it was a struggle to convince people that dogs and cats could feel pain and would benefit from pain management alongside surgeries/recovery. Also, reading about how Bruce got more and more curious about animal behaviour was great.
Although it does describe treatments and surgeries, they are written about in an accessible way - not lots of technical terms and cold sentences.
Bruce writes with a natural flow that made me not realise how quickly I was reading, and before I knew it I was finished!
The really interesting thing about this book was reading about how the veterinary industry has changed its opinions about and treatment of our pets over the last 50 years - it’s hard to believe that it was a struggle to convince people that dogs and cats could feel pain and would benefit from pain management alongside surgeries/recovery. Also, reading about how Bruce got more and more curious about animal behaviour was great.
Although it does describe treatments and surgeries, they are written about in an accessible way - not lots of technical terms and cold sentences.
Bruce writes with a natural flow that made me not realise how quickly I was reading, and before I knew it I was finished!
February 2, 2021
This book tells the story of Bruce Fogle's life as a young adult vet, working in the city of London.
Not only did Bruce provide an engaging story-line, but he also gave the reader a lot to think about. I had no idea how the veterinary industry had evolved over the last 50 years, so it was so interesting to read about how vets have developed knowledge into the way animal behave. it definitely got me thinking about my own dog.
This wasn't a book that I would normally pick up, but thought I would give it a go, and I am glad I did! It was lovely to see how Bruce developed as a person, and how his love for animals made him a brilliant vet. His descriptions of London were captivating and made me feel as though I was there with him. There was also unexpected moments of emotion, which truly brings to the surface how much animals mean to us humans. Not only was this book a joy to read, but I honestly believe that Fogle has taught me something about animals and human emotion that I didn't know before.
*Disclaimer - I won this book through reader's first*
Not only did Bruce provide an engaging story-line, but he also gave the reader a lot to think about. I had no idea how the veterinary industry had evolved over the last 50 years, so it was so interesting to read about how vets have developed knowledge into the way animal behave. it definitely got me thinking about my own dog.
This wasn't a book that I would normally pick up, but thought I would give it a go, and I am glad I did! It was lovely to see how Bruce developed as a person, and how his love for animals made him a brilliant vet. His descriptions of London were captivating and made me feel as though I was there with him. There was also unexpected moments of emotion, which truly brings to the surface how much animals mean to us humans. Not only was this book a joy to read, but I honestly believe that Fogle has taught me something about animals and human emotion that I didn't know before.
*Disclaimer - I won this book through reader's first*
March 27, 2021
A very enjoyable memoir by a vet, it is set in central London in the busy years of the early seventies and the animals are mostly cats and dogs - companion animals. There are some forays into more exotic creatures as these were sold by Harrods and other up-market pet stockists. There are plenty of touches of humour in all these episodes.
Bruce Fogle was a newly qualified Canadian vet when he began to get as much practical experience as he could. His glimpses of houses, jobs and people are fascinating. He begins to move in quite elevated circles as he meets celebrities and aristocrats in his work. He also courts the actress Julia Foster and so makes friendships in theatrical circles.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is following Bruce Fogle's very honest account of how he, only gradually, was led to believe that pets have emotions and all mammals feel pain. As a consequence he was a leader in the movement to bring more compassionate care to his vet practice and to use better diagnostics and more humane treatments.
Bruce Fogle was a newly qualified Canadian vet when he began to get as much practical experience as he could. His glimpses of houses, jobs and people are fascinating. He begins to move in quite elevated circles as he meets celebrities and aristocrats in his work. He also courts the actress Julia Foster and so makes friendships in theatrical circles.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is following Bruce Fogle's very honest account of how he, only gradually, was led to believe that pets have emotions and all mammals feel pain. As a consequence he was a leader in the movement to bring more compassionate care to his vet practice and to use better diagnostics and more humane treatments.
October 30, 2021
3.5 stars
I loved reading the James Herriot books when I was young (sadly many years ago) and I enjoyed reading the opening chapters of this book on the Readers First website, so I was pleased to receive a copy to read and review.
However, I then struggled to continue with the book and popped it on my book trolley to try again in a couple of weeks. However the book was then left for a few months before being picked up during our October half term.
As a dog adopter, I was fascinated by how much animal care has changed since Bruce Fogle began his veterinary career. There have been huge changes in the treatment of animals and this book provides details of some of those changes.
However my favourite part of the book is the stories about the pets and their companions. Some of the stories are funny and some of them are heartbreaking as the humans had to say goodbye to their loved ones.
The book also describes life in London in the 1970’s, providing a social commentary about how a Canadian viewed life in the UK. An interesting mix of memories that I’m happy I finally got to finish reading. Happy to recommend.
I loved reading the James Herriot books when I was young (sadly many years ago) and I enjoyed reading the opening chapters of this book on the Readers First website, so I was pleased to receive a copy to read and review.
However, I then struggled to continue with the book and popped it on my book trolley to try again in a couple of weeks. However the book was then left for a few months before being picked up during our October half term.
As a dog adopter, I was fascinated by how much animal care has changed since Bruce Fogle began his veterinary career. There have been huge changes in the treatment of animals and this book provides details of some of those changes.
However my favourite part of the book is the stories about the pets and their companions. Some of the stories are funny and some of them are heartbreaking as the humans had to say goodbye to their loved ones.
The book also describes life in London in the 1970’s, providing a social commentary about how a Canadian viewed life in the UK. An interesting mix of memories that I’m happy I finally got to finish reading. Happy to recommend.
November 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this, quirky, funny and at times sad this reminded me a lot of a 70s version of the James Herriot All creatures great and small books.
Bruce was a great narrator and told his story well, from his background and life in Canada and his time London working as a young, new vet.
I loved his sense of humour and how he coped with getting to know our British character and sense of humour.
This was definitely a great read and lived upto the blurb.
Along the way we also meet some great characters in his line of work both four legged and two legged.
The only thing that did make me squirm was the descriptions of how animals were viewed in society at this time, a lot of owners and sometimes the vets didn't seem to have all that much empathy or feelings for the animals they treated.
Although Bruce seemed to understand that they have feelings and need to be treated with respect.
All in all I did enjoy this.
Bruce was a great narrator and told his story well, from his background and life in Canada and his time London working as a young, new vet.
I loved his sense of humour and how he coped with getting to know our British character and sense of humour.
This was definitely a great read and lived upto the blurb.
Along the way we also meet some great characters in his line of work both four legged and two legged.
The only thing that did make me squirm was the descriptions of how animals were viewed in society at this time, a lot of owners and sometimes the vets didn't seem to have all that much empathy or feelings for the animals they treated.
Although Bruce seemed to understand that they have feelings and need to be treated with respect.
All in all I did enjoy this.
December 6, 2020
This was a really warm hearted and enjoyable book, thanks to Reader's first for sending me an advanced copy.
Bruce Fogle was a young vet when he arrived in London in the early 1970s from Canada, and this book follows the first few years of his time working at the Pont Street vetenary surgery.
It details both a number of the pets, and their owners, who Bruce came across, as well as the relationships he made with colleagues.
It also mentions his courtship and eventual marriage to Julia, a highly successful theatre actress in her own right.
The book was written in a really easy to read style, with a good injection of humour along the way, and I think anyone who enjoys stories of animals, or who can remember the early 70s. I'm not a huge animal lover, but there was plenty here to keep my entertained, due mostly to the flowing writing style and the warmth of his writing.
Very enjoyable.
Bruce Fogle was a young vet when he arrived in London in the early 1970s from Canada, and this book follows the first few years of his time working at the Pont Street vetenary surgery.
It details both a number of the pets, and their owners, who Bruce came across, as well as the relationships he made with colleagues.
It also mentions his courtship and eventual marriage to Julia, a highly successful theatre actress in her own right.
The book was written in a really easy to read style, with a good injection of humour along the way, and I think anyone who enjoys stories of animals, or who can remember the early 70s. I'm not a huge animal lover, but there was plenty here to keep my entertained, due mostly to the flowing writing style and the warmth of his writing.
Very enjoyable.
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