Today I have a review of Drinking from the Trough by Mary Carlson, DVM, now available from She Writes Press! A big thanks to JKS Communications for my copy and invitation to review.
This was not my my favorite picture featuring the book, but it was definitely the cutest! ♥️
My Thoughts:
Mary Carlson was not one of those children who dreams of becoming a veterinarian (like I did!). She absolutely loved animals, but a certain kind of kismet fell into place when she found herself in love with a man in vet school.
Mary found Earl’s work with animals inspiring, and she left her teaching position to attend veterinary school. She later opened her own cat clinic (I LOVE THOSE! I wish I had one closer to me.).
Mary’s path in vet school is full of challenges, and so is her life afterwards. She is honest about it all. She finds love and experiences grief and loss. Through it all? The love for animals and by animals is steadfast. Those of us who have experienced that love know.
Mary’s story is heartwarming. She loves animals the way I do. I loved her honesty. She shares about the animals who have been part of her family. I wished they were mine, too!
Anyone who loves animals will find much to treasure in Mary’s story. Even if you aren’t a huge fan, her story is also about an inspired life well-lived. I’m so grateful to the Marys of the world who love our pets as much as we do when they care for them. I am fortunate to have a vet like this in my life, and she is as good with me as she is with my fur babies. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Mary!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
Mary Carlson didn’t start out to become a veterinarian, let alone the owner and caretaker of cats (many), dogs (two, both huskies), and horses (some with manners, some without) in Colorado. She was a suburban Chicago girl; all she knew of the American West came from the stories her uncle, who had settled in northern Colorado, told her during his annual visits. But thanks to him, she ended up moving to Fort Collins, Colorado for college—and after falling in love with a man she’d become friends with in her final year of college, when he was a student at the CSU School of Veterinary Medicine, she remained there.
Watching the work Earl did as a veterinarian inspired Mary to eventually leave her tenured teaching position and enter vet school, after which she opened her own, feline-exclusive clinic. Along the way, there were numerous pets, grueling years of vet school, a shattered hip, an enduring love, illness, and death—and the rediscovery that life, especially a life full of delightful animals, is worth living.
Have you read Drinking from the Trough, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Wonderful review and darling picture, Jennifer! She is talking to the animals. I am a great animal lover and cannot wait to read this memoir! Happy Monday! 🌷🌷🐾🐾🐈❤️📚🌻🌻😊😘
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Thanks, Virginia! I love that picture of Harper! I think you’ll love this book! Enjoy and happy new week! ♥️
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From the name I was expecting another Historical Fiction! I definitely wasn’t expecting a book about a veterinarian!… And a cat clinic?? I’ll have to add this one to my list! 😻
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Thanks, Nicole! It was such a great story- and about someone’s real life with so many anecdotes and fun with the animals, too.
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This sounds great – fabulous review! I love animals so I can enjoy this (although I’m deathly allergic to cats so I have to enjoy from afar).
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Thank you so much, Anne! I’m so sorry I missed this- WordPress had put your comment in my spam box. I think you’d love this if you enjoy animals. ♥️
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I wish I had a cat clinic too! I love animals – anything with four legs, and furry.
Great review!
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Thanks, Jina! Me, too! Animals are the best! ♥️
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That is one cute cover! I just want to ask them what (or whom) they’re looking at💜 Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jonetta! I love that cover, too! So cute! It was a fun read! ♥️
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I’m a huge animal lover, and I think I’d adore this book, thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
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My pleasure, Tammy! It was a warm, fun read!
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Lovely review Jen! Your kitty looks like they are laughing at the book!😁💜Happy Monday my friend! More storms coming today!☔😢
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Thanks, Sus! I love that! She has so many expressions it would just about suit her! I hope you’ve had a great Monday! I was just watching the news- stay safe tonight! ♥️
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I adore when you review animal related books. Your love for animals just shines through ❤
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Thank you so much, Chrissi! I love your heart for animals too! ♥️
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I love this picture of Harper! I will have to put this on my TBR 😊💕🐾
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Thanks so much, Kris! It was such a lovable read! Perfect for another animal lover! ♥️
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Aww, this sounds so good! I thought about being a vet too–are you sure we aren’t twins?? My cousin ended up being the vet and I know I couldn’t stomach it even though I love animals more than most people, lol. This sounds so good though! I hope you had a lovely weekend! I missed you while on my mini break 😘
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Thanks, Steph! It was such a lovely read! So many great animal stories! I love that you wanted to be a vet, too. I missed you, too, and hope to catch up more soon! ♥️
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You’re welcome! I did for the longest time. We definitely need to! ❤
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It’s such a joy when you find a vet that sees it as more than just a job, isn’t it? My current one is great – she really listens and respects the owner to know their own cat best and to be part of any decisions about treatment. I’ve had others in the past who seem to just see it as a factory production line. Which kitty is that in the pic? Gorgeous!
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Yes, it’s the best and worth its weight in gold, but she’s so hard to get an appointment with because everyone knows how amazing she is! That is Harper! Thank you! I think she’s pretty beautiful myself. DNA says she is Maine Coon/Abyssinian/Persian. 😂 ♥️ (I actually see it! Dickens has more Abyssinian and he very much looks it too!)
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I’m such a sucker for animal stories so I’ll have to check this out. I definitely thought I’d be a vet one day when I was a little kid lol!
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That’s a big yawn. Most definitely ‘cute’! 😊💕
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I was hoping you’d see this, Paula! I tease her and tell her to do a “big girl yawn!” When she was younger, her yawns were so brief! 😂 ♥️
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Only you could have your cats yawning when asked. I love it! 🤣💕
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😂 I love that! If only it were true! ♥️
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This sounds like such a lovely book! I love your photo, the look on your cat’s face combined with the pics of the animals on the book cover is just perfection! 🙂
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This sounds like such a fun read and I’m just in love with that adorable cover!
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