What do you think?
Rate this book
Country Vet: Thirty Years of Treating Animals and Trying to Understand Their Owners
John R. Erickson, author of Hank the Cowdog series, says, "Vets have a kind of double vision on the human experience. They see us as the clients who bring in the patients and pay the bill, but they also see our sins, flaws, and weirdness reflected in our animals. Dr. Skaggs recognized early on that this was a rich source of humor-not ridicule, not humor that cuts, but the kind of organic humor that allows us to laugh at ourselves."
This book relays my stories of being a country veterinarian in a rural area treating all sorts of animals. I have been writing down my experiences at the office and in the field for thirty years. These stories are often educational, emotional, humorous and unpredictable, but always entertaining.
This book is my first effort to share them with a wider audience. The stories involve working with all kinds of animals but also involves interacting with their owners. Sometimes the second part has been more of a challenge than the first which creates for interesting stories.
This book relays my stories of being a country veterinarian in a rural area treating all sorts of animals. I have been writing down my experiences at the office and in the field for thirty years. These stories are often educational, emotional, humorous and unpredictable, but always entertaining.
This book is my first effort to share them with a wider audience. The stories involve working with all kinds of animals but also involves interacting with their owners. Sometimes the second part has been more of a challenge than the first which creates for interesting stories.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
163 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 5, 2022
This was my first time reading this style book by a vet. I've never been overly interested in this job field as a whole, but who doesn't like animals?! I AM a huge fan of stories about doctor's cases / patients, so I figured this may be similar in nature.
The stories were mostly funny. The book was novella-length, coming in at just 144 pages, so that made it easy to stay engaged.
Overall, it was a good read, and I'd likely check out others by the author.
The stories were mostly funny. The book was novella-length, coming in at just 144 pages, so that made it easy to stay engaged.
Overall, it was a good read, and I'd likely check out others by the author.
September 22, 2023
A good glimpse into the life of a vet
I typically read human medical stories, but came across this book about vets. Owning a rescue dog, I decided to read it and see life from their point of view. I learned more about horse castration than I needed to know, but it was interesting. So was hearing about other animals that a vet needs to care for. I don't think this would be a job for me. You can tell the author really cared for the animals. The book was enjoyable to read and I will be looking for other books by this author.
I typically read human medical stories, but came across this book about vets. Owning a rescue dog, I decided to read it and see life from their point of view. I learned more about horse castration than I needed to know, but it was interesting. So was hearing about other animals that a vet needs to care for. I don't think this would be a job for me. You can tell the author really cared for the animals. The book was enjoyable to read and I will be looking for other books by this author.
April 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book, but possibly less than I would have if I hadn't just read Dogs and their Humans a month or two ago. The differences between these two veterinarians were stark. Not in a bad way -- both are people who clearly care about their patients and their human clients -- but as one is a older country vet in Texas, and the other a younger city vet who specializes in surgery and lives in England, it's hard to imagine two more different practices.
The more negative comparison I'd probably make is that while both guys have writing issues (they are CLEARLY not writers by trade), Dr Fitzpatrick is the better author, in that he is better at identifying interesting stories from his practice and telling them. He does go into a bit too much detail at times (he says at some point that he's autistic and I was like, dude, I hate to say this, but that has been obvious for a while) -- not in a gross way, but in a "yeah I'm not a veterinary surgeon so this means nothing to me" way -- but overall, he's better at telling stories. And of course, being some kind of celebrity in England (apparently), he has a wider variety of stories to tell.
Dr Skaggs, by contrast, is a small-town country vet in Texas who sees loads of large farm animals and has to do the tough vet work that we city folk don't necessarily like to think about, such as gelding horses and bulls, dealing with rattlesnake bites, and being chased by angry animals that weigh several times what he does. Some people might object to the decisions or actions of both the vet and the animal owners at times, though I assume many of these stories are from decades ago when both ideas about animals and available medicine and technology to deal with them were different.
A lot of reviewers seemed to find many of these stories hilarious, but maybe my bar for comedy is higher than jokes about testicles? I did laugh out loud one time (high praise from me!) during the story where he's forced to chase an angry cow down the highway after she gives birth. It's not really that the story was funny because of the grossout stuff that happened; it was more how things just kept escalating over and over that made me laugh.
I found many of the stories interesting as a person who, as an animal lover raised by midwesterners, used to read a lot of older stories of small town/farm life as a kid (you know, like the Black Stallion, Charlotte's Web, or what have you). The idea of getting your arm all the way up a cow to help it give birth is not a foreign concept to me. I grew up in a city in Iowa and while I myself just played with computers and read a lot of books, the local high schools had active 4H clubs. In other words, I'm familiar with some of the country folk who make up the vet's customers, so it was interesting to see them again from a veterinarian's perspective, since I haven't lived there for many years (although I have to say Texans and Iowans are much more different than people from large coastal cities probably imagine). I wouldn't say the stories reminded me of my youth or anything (I myself was a nerdy indoor cat), but the setting felt unique as these kinds of books go. I'd probably read (well, listen) to another book of stories from Dr Skaggs; while a lot of his stories were somewhat similar in their content, at least they are mostly quite short, and there were just enough unusual occurrences that it was worth reading.
The more negative comparison I'd probably make is that while both guys have writing issues (they are CLEARLY not writers by trade), Dr Fitzpatrick is the better author, in that he is better at identifying interesting stories from his practice and telling them. He does go into a bit too much detail at times (he says at some point that he's autistic and I was like, dude, I hate to say this, but that has been obvious for a while) -- not in a gross way, but in a "yeah I'm not a veterinary surgeon so this means nothing to me" way -- but overall, he's better at telling stories. And of course, being some kind of celebrity in England (apparently), he has a wider variety of stories to tell.
Dr Skaggs, by contrast, is a small-town country vet in Texas who sees loads of large farm animals and has to do the tough vet work that we city folk don't necessarily like to think about, such as gelding horses and bulls, dealing with rattlesnake bites, and being chased by angry animals that weigh several times what he does. Some people might object to the decisions or actions of both the vet and the animal owners at times, though I assume many of these stories are from decades ago when both ideas about animals and available medicine and technology to deal with them were different.
A lot of reviewers seemed to find many of these stories hilarious, but maybe my bar for comedy is higher than jokes about testicles? I did laugh out loud one time (high praise from me!) during the story where he's forced to chase an angry cow down the highway after she gives birth. It's not really that the story was funny because of the grossout stuff that happened; it was more how things just kept escalating over and over that made me laugh.
I found many of the stories interesting as a person who, as an animal lover raised by midwesterners, used to read a lot of older stories of small town/farm life as a kid (you know, like the Black Stallion, Charlotte's Web, or what have you). The idea of getting your arm all the way up a cow to help it give birth is not a foreign concept to me. I grew up in a city in Iowa and while I myself just played with computers and read a lot of books, the local high schools had active 4H clubs. In other words, I'm familiar with some of the country folk who make up the vet's customers, so it was interesting to see them again from a veterinarian's perspective, since I haven't lived there for many years (although I have to say Texans and Iowans are much more different than people from large coastal cities probably imagine). I wouldn't say the stories reminded me of my youth or anything (I myself was a nerdy indoor cat), but the setting felt unique as these kinds of books go. I'd probably read (well, listen) to another book of stories from Dr Skaggs; while a lot of his stories were somewhat similar in their content, at least they are mostly quite short, and there were just enough unusual occurrences that it was worth reading.
October 18, 2023
This was an "ok" audiobook with some stories that were mildly amusing but not nearly as humourous as I'd expected. Maybe the humour just didn't work for me but I generally love a good laugh while listening and this just didn't have that effect. While I wanted to like it I was a little disappointed and quite glad it was a shorter book. Can't truthfully say I enjoyed it much. Narration was good.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
February 23, 2024
A very enjoyable read.
I enjoy reading stories about veterinarian experiences throughout their careers.I love pets and have had plenty experience owning cats, dogs, birds and even turtles and birds. I find it interesting to read about other people's experiences with their animals. I also find it interesting to hear the veterinarian point of view. This book provided me with laughter and tears reading of these experidnces.
I enjoy reading stories about veterinarian experiences throughout their careers.I love pets and have had plenty experience owning cats, dogs, birds and even turtles and birds. I find it interesting to read about other people's experiences with their animals. I also find it interesting to hear the veterinarian point of view. This book provided me with laughter and tears reading of these experidnces.
September 9, 2022
What a great memoir, full of stories both that made you laugh and made you cry. This really does show exactly what it is to be a country vet and never know what kind of critter will come into the clinic. My only complaint about the book was that it was too short, I was finished before I even realized I was close to the end.
September 1, 2022
An absolute must read! From start to finish this book will have you laughing nonstop. The stories are wonderfully engaging and hilarious and will leave you wishing for more! Dr. Skaggs’ gift of story telling is one of a kind! Can’t recommend this book enough!
March 26, 2023
A Must Read
So very much enjoyed this delightful book. To have the skills of a vet, a comic and a writer makes for a well rounded human being. Now get busy and pull out all your other notes written on whatever and write a sequel.
So very much enjoyed this delightful book. To have the skills of a vet, a comic and a writer makes for a well rounded human being. Now get busy and pull out all your other notes written on whatever and write a sequel.
September 18, 2023
Humorous
This book was very interesting. It, has many stories about various animals and their owners. I found myself frequently laughing. Hoping this author will write another book more delightful stories.
This book was very interesting. It, has many stories about various animals and their owners. I found myself frequently laughing. Hoping this author will write another book more delightful stories.
March 1, 2025
Important and fun read
The author obviously loves animals and deals with his public well. I enjoyed the stories and the antics of the animals to say nothing of the people who own them.
The author obviously loves animals and deals with his public well. I enjoyed the stories and the antics of the animals to say nothing of the people who own them.
September 1, 2022
You’ll laugh until you cry reading this book. You’ll experience a rural veterinarian’s daily life through his humorous descriptions. Once you start reading, you’ll find it hard to put down!
September 30, 2022
Very entertaining
January 6, 2023
Fun laugh out loud read
This was a good read not all the stories were funny,however they pulled on my heart strings,,I recommend this book as a feel good book.
This was a good read not all the stories were funny,however they pulled on my heart strings,,I recommend this book as a feel good book.
January 28, 2023
Good Read
I enjoyed this book very much & will recommend it to anyone / highly entertaining read / hope you enjoy, too!
I enjoyed this book very much & will recommend it to anyone / highly entertaining read / hope you enjoy, too!
September 1, 2023
COUDA BEEN A VET
However, when I was 9, My Vet back then said “youre a girl!’
I LOVED this book. I love animals and I love to write. Dr. Randy has the best of both words.
However, when I was 9, My Vet back then said “youre a girl!’
I LOVED this book. I love animals and I love to write. Dr. Randy has the best of both words.
May 29, 2024
Great book.
I liked all of the stories about the animals. I would recommend this book to anyone. I will read more veterinarians books.
I liked all of the stories about the animals. I would recommend this book to anyone. I will read more veterinarians books.
September 21, 2024
loved it
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, made me laugh, made me sad but it was really good. Hope there’s more. Thank you.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, made me laugh, made me sad but it was really good. Hope there’s more. Thank you.
April 9, 2025
This was exactly what I needed right now. Hit the spot perfectly. Touching, sweet and hilarious. I can only highly recommend it if you're feeling blue.
December 28, 2025
Great Read
This is the second book I've enjoyed by this author. What a wonderful vocation he has, caring for so many animals.
This is the second book I've enjoyed by this author. What a wonderful vocation he has, caring for so many animals.
October 14, 2023
I worked as a vet assistant, and the stories that this veterinarian told, at least to me, were not all that amusing. His disregard for wildlife that are considered pests to the local farmers was sad. some of the people he talked about sounded dumb as stumps, and I was not sure if he was describing them truely or was being facetious.
Narrator does a good job with the storyline in this book.
Narrator does a good job with the storyline in this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews