What do you think?
Tales from the Tail End: Adventures of a Vet in Practice
James Herriot meets Bridget Jones in this honest, no-holds-barred account of the ups and downs of a vet's life
Misty was ecstatic to see her owner but to the nurse's surprise her owner just stood there and said, "What have you done with my dog’s head?" "I’m sorry," replied the nurse, "what do you mean? She’s just been in for spaying." "That isn’t my dog’s head. The rest of it is my dog but you’ve put a different head on it."
On a crisp October morning in 1996, Emma Milne started her first job as a newly qualified vet, and now she tells the full story. We discover the numerous things that can get stuck in an animal's stomach, how to stop a cow exploding, and—the biggest truth of all—that animals are easy to deal with in comparison to their owners. They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and these tales turn out to be stranger—and funnier—than you could ever have imagined.
Misty was ecstatic to see her owner but to the nurse's surprise her owner just stood there and said, "What have you done with my dog’s head?" "I’m sorry," replied the nurse, "what do you mean? She’s just been in for spaying." "That isn’t my dog’s head. The rest of it is my dog but you’ve put a different head on it."
On a crisp October morning in 1996, Emma Milne started her first job as a newly qualified vet, and now she tells the full story. We discover the numerous things that can get stuck in an animal's stomach, how to stop a cow exploding, and—the biggest truth of all—that animals are easy to deal with in comparison to their owners. They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and these tales turn out to be stranger—and funnier—than you could ever have imagined.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 17, 2022
Review I'm not sure how much the author genuinely wanted to tell this story of her first year as a new vet, as she had made a deal with the BBC to film her from her very first day of her first job after graduating as a vet. So how much was written to make money off the back of that, and how much she really thinks she wants a dual career as a writer and vet I'm not sure. I was hoping for the vet equivalent of the books like This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor but it didn't have the depth, the humour, or the ability to convey what it was actually like to be there.
Nonetheless it's a pleasant read, very light, sort of the chick lit of non-fiction. It's never going to challenge James Herriot's [book:All Creatures Great and Small| but maybe the author will write more and find her voice and have something original to say. The book was quite well written so I hope so.
Nonetheless it's a pleasant read, very light, sort of the chick lit of non-fiction. It's never going to challenge James Herriot's [book:All Creatures Great and Small| but maybe the author will write more and find her voice and have something original to say. The book was quite well written so I hope so.
May 17, 2018
A charming and tender look at newcomer vet Emma as she embarks on her new career full of highs and lows, miracles and disasters. I love the way she writes, it's very gentle and matter of fact, without being gushy or 'false.' Her experience of working first with big animals, and then in a small surgery predominantly for pets whose debilitating conditions like being unable to walk turn out to be long toenails stuck together, and whose intenstine infested coats turn out to be nothing more than slugs!! Emma is also trying to juggle her new found fame in 'Vets in Practice' as well as her relationship wth her partner Joe and 2 manic dogs who follow her to the pub and back.
A lovely little book.
A lovely little book.
August 19, 2013
A lovely read.
I used to love the James Herriott vet series, both in book form and on TV. I have seen the TV programmes 'Vets In Practice' so I was pleased to find this factual book in the Amazon top 100 by Emma Milne who was often featured on the programme. This book contains cases from the TV days at the practice and also has many moments about Emma's home life, her pets and her courtship and marriage to fellow vet Joe Inglis who was also featured on the Vets In Practice programme. It has comic moments and parts that tug at your heartstrings, also parts where you really feel you have learnt something. Well-told, it is an enriching read.
I used to love the James Herriott vet series, both in book form and on TV. I have seen the TV programmes 'Vets In Practice' so I was pleased to find this factual book in the Amazon top 100 by Emma Milne who was often featured on the programme. This book contains cases from the TV days at the practice and also has many moments about Emma's home life, her pets and her courtship and marriage to fellow vet Joe Inglis who was also featured on the Vets In Practice programme. It has comic moments and parts that tug at your heartstrings, also parts where you really feel you have learnt something. Well-told, it is an enriching read.
February 16, 2017
Loved it
I really don't like books that are meant to cause a strong emotional response. This was a wonderful combination of fact, humor, and human reactions. It is easy-reading and a straightforward plot. I would strongly suggest downloading the British dictionary first, though, as there are quite a number of words & terms not common in American English.
I really don't like books that are meant to cause a strong emotional response. This was a wonderful combination of fact, humor, and human reactions. It is easy-reading and a straightforward plot. I would strongly suggest downloading the British dictionary first, though, as there are quite a number of words & terms not common in American English.
November 23, 2012
This is one of those really light books, that you can pick up and read and put down without your life being any better or worse for it. Basically it's a harmless time filler. The stories are mildly entertaining, and its certainly captivating enough to read it til it's finished. However I was left feeling as if I wouldn't know if I'd read it or not in a few weeks. It's the sort of book that is perfect in a waiting room, where you can pick it up, be diverted as you pass the time, but not care if you don't finish or ever see it again.
A harmless read if you like books about vets and animals, and don't want any sort of challenge beyond moving your eyes across the page.
A harmless read if you like books about vets and animals, and don't want any sort of challenge beyond moving your eyes across the page.
May 6, 2015
Devoured in a single sitting (thanks to a sleepless night with man-flu)
Was like catching up with an old student mate you've not seen in years.
Was like catching up with an old student mate you've not seen in years.
December 14, 2017
Trials, tribulations and joys of a veterinarian
Trials, tribulations an joys of a veterinarian in England and other environs. Female perspective is very interesting. The love of animals comes through.
Trials, tribulations an joys of a veterinarian in England and other environs. Female perspective is very interesting. The love of animals comes through.
May 22, 2018
"Tales from the Tail End" is full of good stories.
November 19, 2018
I found the writing style a little "folksy" but the stories were good. After reading the reviews, I think I may have liked the book better if I had seen the series.
September 13, 2020
Funny , sweet book in the same vein as Herriot. I loved it, and read it in a weekend . Owners and their pets with such devotion and love for each other.
June 23, 2025
A fun, quick read
September 16, 2012
When I was ten, I was fascinated by the BBC documentary 'Vet School' that followed a group of final year vets at Bristol University. And adored the multiple follow up series of 'Vets in Practice'.
Emma Milne was one of said vets, who's marriage to and consequential separation from Joe Inglis was followed closely by the show (and I seem to remember broke my heart).
This book tells stories from the beginning of her life as a qualified vet through to the present day. It's how you would predict it would be, often amusing, sometimes sad, but a very light hearted and easy to read book which I finished in a day. If you are an animal fan, a Vets in Practice fan, or just fancy some amusing stories to brighten up your day, this will do the job!
Emma Milne was one of said vets, who's marriage to and consequential separation from Joe Inglis was followed closely by the show (and I seem to remember broke my heart).
This book tells stories from the beginning of her life as a qualified vet through to the present day. It's how you would predict it would be, often amusing, sometimes sad, but a very light hearted and easy to read book which I finished in a day. If you are an animal fan, a Vets in Practice fan, or just fancy some amusing stories to brighten up your day, this will do the job!
March 3, 2014
As a pet owner I have been to a vet as a customer. This book provided the veterinarian's view of dealing with animals and the sometime obnoxious humans that come with them. This started off being interesting but got too long. I skipped the gory portions.
July 12, 2012
An entertaining light read. Any animal addict will enjoy this insight into a newly qualified vet who is also on TV. A sound balance of information and humour.
February 6, 2013
Easy read. Hopefully help me with experiences in life after Uni.
July 31, 2013
This book was easy to read and entertaining. I read it over a few weeks just picking it up when I had spare time.
December 18, 2013
Slight but amusing memoir of a few years in veterinary practice in England. No classic but a fun read for fans of James Herriott.
July 20, 2014
A good read. enjoyable from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews