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All My Patients Have Tales: Favorite Stories from a Vet's Practice
by
Jeff Wells
All My Patients Have Tales is a heartwarming and funny collection of stories by a dedicated veterinarian featuring wild horses, porcupine-quill-covered dogs, male cats in labor, an extremely ornery pygmy donkey, an enormous hog, as well as many other domestic, and not so “domestic” animals. Wells begins his work as an inexperienced recent college grad and emerges a caring...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
April 14th 2009
by St. Martin's Press
(first published October 30th 2006)
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This book is for all animal lovers, Veterinarians, and especially those that are aspiring to be Veterinarians.
Jeff Wells grew up in a small community in southeastern Iowa. He was active in 4-H and lived on a "hobby" farm that had a horse, dogs, cats, and various other animals. He had a love for animals and decided to become a Veterinarian.
He explains what it takes to get into Veterinary School, what one must study, how long it takes, and how money it will cost. There is on chapter that is almost...more
Jeff Wells grew up in a small community in southeastern Iowa. He was active in 4-H and lived on a "hobby" farm that had a horse, dogs, cats, and various other animals. He had a love for animals and decided to become a Veterinarian.
He explains what it takes to get into Veterinary School, what one must study, how long it takes, and how money it will cost. There is on chapter that is almost...more
Apr 13, 2011
Chaunci Gill
added it
This book is a biography by Jeff Wells, a SD vet. In "All My Patients Have Tails" Jeff tells you about his favorite times when he was a vet, funny and sad.
In one of his stories he tells you about a cat named Fred who was old and had been having some problems. Fred hated going to the clinic so one day her owner called Jeff and told him what was wrong with Fred. She new her cat hated going to the clinic so they both decided it would be best if the vet and his assistent came to there house to gi...more
In one of his stories he tells you about a cat named Fred who was old and had been having some problems. Fred hated going to the clinic so one day her owner called Jeff and told him what was wrong with Fred. She new her cat hated going to the clinic so they both decided it would be best if the vet and his assistent came to there house to gi...more
I really enjoyed this book. It's been awhile since I have read any kind of book like this.
Wells' stories for the most part were really cute. I appreciated the fact that he was not overly critical of his clients as well.
I liked the fact that at the beginning of each chapter there was a little drawing of an animal that indicated what kind of pet this particular chapter was about.
I also really liked that each chapter was a single story and that you could read a chapter or two, not come back to t...more
Wells' stories for the most part were really cute. I appreciated the fact that he was not overly critical of his clients as well.
I liked the fact that at the beginning of each chapter there was a little drawing of an animal that indicated what kind of pet this particular chapter was about.
I also really liked that each chapter was a single story and that you could read a chapter or two, not come back to t...more
Just a couple of weeks ago, I read a book called Every Patient Tells a Story by Lisa Sanders. I was tickled when I found this book because of the similarities in the titles, and also because I was sure that a book about animals as patients would be really fun and amusing to read.
Well, it wasn’t a bad book, there are a couple of funny stories, but somehow it just left me feeling somewhat indifferent to it.
It’s probably not so much the stories as it is the writing style and the presentation of the...more
Well, it wasn’t a bad book, there are a couple of funny stories, but somehow it just left me feeling somewhat indifferent to it.
It’s probably not so much the stories as it is the writing style and the presentation of the...more
I read the book All My Patients Have Tales by Jeff Wells. This book is about Jeff’s life and how he survived being a veterinarian all in a set of hilarious stories. The genre of this book was a Memoir. If I had to rate this book I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. That is how awesome this book is.
The setting takes place in the south west. In the first half of the book he is in Colorado. In the second he’s in Nebraska. The main character is Jeff but there are also Jenny, and Christie. Jenny was hi...more
The setting takes place in the south west. In the first half of the book he is in Colorado. In the second he’s in Nebraska. The main character is Jeff but there are also Jenny, and Christie. Jenny was hi...more
After reading this book, only someone with a true calling would decide to become a vet. It was entertaining and divided into short chapters making it easy to read between busy schedule activities. I like some of the stories, but it was obvious the author likes animals much more than people. Some of the stories were disgusting, some unbelievable (yet true!) If you are an animal person you will probably like this book. I would have given a 2 and half, but since there are no halves...
It was a nice read for someone interested in animals but does not compare to James Harriot. I was hoping for something a little better since the cover says this book deserves a place next to James Harriot's books, but you can't always believe what the critics say. I suggest this book before James Harriot because other wise you may be a little disappointed. The stories are definitely funny though, so it would be a nice read for a car ride or flight
I loved it!
I can't wait to share the story of Megadeath, the biker ridin' Chihuahua, with my Harley lovin', Chihuahua owning friends.
The book may be a tad-bit graphic at times for the kids at school as Dr. Wells' describes examination procedures. Still, most of the stories would really strike a cord with the students. The stories are short and entertaining while still demonstrating some of the harsh realities of life as a veterinarian.
I can't wait to share the story of Megadeath, the biker ridin' Chihuahua, with my Harley lovin', Chihuahua owning friends.
The book may be a tad-bit graphic at times for the kids at school as Dr. Wells' describes examination procedures. Still, most of the stories would really strike a cord with the students. The stories are short and entertaining while still demonstrating some of the harsh realities of life as a veterinarian.
Charming stories written by a Colorado veterinarian. Most of the chapters were from his earlier years in practice. Wells writes with a lot of sincerity and tenderness for the animals and their owners and peppers his accounts with quite a bit of humor.
I preferred the more substantiative prose of "Tell Me Where it Hurts" by Nick Trout, but this book is a nice light read that animal lovers should enjoy.
I preferred the more substantiative prose of "Tell Me Where it Hurts" by Nick Trout, but this book is a nice light read that animal lovers should enjoy.
Not the most riveting writing and I guess with a title like that, I shouldn't be too surprised. Some of the animal-vet anecdotes were fun but nothing that screamed "This is a story about a goat that you just have to hear!". There's a better and more heartfelt Vet's tell all written by a vet who works or used to work at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Jamaica Plain called "Tell Me Where it Hurts".
Wells describes his career as a vet starting in South Dakota but mostly in Colorado. Wells treats more than the run of the mill veterinarian with cats and dogs. He also has patients that are pigs, cows, and horses as well as the occasional oddity like a Tibetan yak. He relates humorous and touching stories about the animals and their owners.
Fun read despite my usual antipathy for animal stories. This was a collection of anecdotes by a vet about treating animals and their owners. A little bit James Herriott, a little bit Bill Bryson. Mostly lighthearted, a few sigh-worthy. Not as lyrical as I remember Herriott being but an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
A collection of cute, interesting, and occasionally sad stories from the first years of a practicing vet. Wells is called to work with cats, dogs, assorted farm animals, and once even a yak! Like all books of this sort, the tales are as much about the doctor and his (or her) life as they are about the cases.
Veterinarian Wells tells of his adventures, mostly in Colorado, as a doctor at a mixed animal practice. From cats and dogs, through cows and horses, and on to more exotic species, including tigers (from a visiting circus) and yaks, Wells treats his patients, and deals with their often more difficult owners.
A cute little book. There is really not much substance to it- it is simply a collection of little (2-5 pages, usually) stories from the author's veterinary career, and a couple stories about his life and how he came to be in that career.
If you're looking for some light, charming reading, this would work for any animal lover.
If you're looking for some light, charming reading, this would work for any animal lover.
I ordered this for the library because the reviews were so fabulous. I thought the stories were cute but none of them made me burst into (good) hysterics like some of the reviews promised. Teens with a short attention span who love animals will probably really enjoy this book of short vignettes.
Aug 14, 2012
Jayme Murillo
added it
I just finished this amazing book with such real and gruesome stories that are not for the queazy or faint hearted. I loved reading about someone who can actually explain the world of a vet and make it sound soo hard yet soo rewarding. I really loved it and I think that anyone else who is an animal lover will like it too.
While the writing is not the most incredible, this is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. Anyone who's an animal lover, or has lived/worked with animals in a rural community will probably love this too. I was literally laughing out loud throughout most of this book!
I enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read, well written and laugh out loud stories. I work in a similar veterianry practice to Dr. Wells, and it was hillarious to read his tales and how similar they are to my every day encounters. I would recommend this to any animal lover.
I already said not everybody can be James Herriot. And that's still true. But this was the most pleasant veterinarian memoir I've read lately. Wells has a warm, engaging tone and his stories spark with humor. It's still not quite Herriot--it lacks his depth--but it's a very enjoyable story nonetheless. Particularly for people who love the Rockies (where Wells practices).
A pretty good read with plenty of stories and humor. I liked the gentleness with which the veterinarian treated both the animals and their owners, as well as the variety of animals that he ended up treating. There was some awkward phrasing and a few cliched paragraphs, but all in all, a solid, quick read.
I loved this book, and appreciate Dr. Wells contributions! I hope that he plans to write more "tales"! He has an understanding of animals and also of their owners. Every pet owner should be as fortunate to have a vet like Dr. Wells! Thank God, I do...though they aren't authors...hmm...
Very spirited stories about the true facts of being a vet. And the animals help a lot by making the doctor go through the most unusual situations. Worth reading for a good laugh and to learn more about what your pet can make you go through. And don't blame the vet!
I highly enjoyed this book! Jeff Wells, a veterinarian who specializes in treating horses, gives the reader an inside view of the memorable experiences he had as a young veterinarian of a mixed animal(pets and large animal) practice in a rural area. His stories are both humorous and heartwarming. The perfect for an animal lover!
Nice tale of veterinary life in Colorado with glimpses of the trials and tribulations that face a neophyte doctor. The tone is somewhat reminiscent of James Herriot's adventures as Dr. Wells recounts some of the characters (both 2- and 4-legged) that he has encountered over the years.
Truly enjoyable, humorous, heart-warming. I never wanted to be a vet and this confirmed that decision but it is fun to read about Dr. Wells' experiences. This book makes me want to read James Herriot's books also.
We just lost our twelve year old dog last month so reading some good stories about a vet's journey saving and treating animals helped myself a bit. It was like I Love Lucy meets animals. Very funny.
Herriot-esque, especially in the first chapters when he is a new vet starting out in a rural practice. A quick, enjoyable book for anyone with an interest in animals and their care.
so far, a little too procedural for me. This guy likes talking about the gross stuff. Also, the title implies the book is about the animals, but really, it's about him. All about him. And poop.
Loved it! As a vet tech who works in a mixed practice like Dr. Wells, I could relate to many of the stories. Many of the stories made me think of patients I have cared for.
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Jeff Wells, D.V.M is a practicing veterinarian in the foothills of Colorado. A graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wells has cared for many types of animals.
More about Jeff Wells...
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