The Other Family Doctor

A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life, and Mortality

By: Karen Fine

Narrated by: Karen Fine

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Calling all animal lovers! A heartwarming memoir about one woman's career as a vet and the unique role pets play in our lives • “Filled with compassion and wisdom, Karen Fine is a healer whose own wounds have deepened her gifts for bringing animals and their people comfort and peace.” —Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus and How to Be a Good Creature

A tribute to our furry, feathery, scaley, and wet family members, All Creatures Great and Small meets Being Mortal in this compelling memoir of one woman's dream to become a veterinarian.

Karen Fine always knew that she wanted to be a vet and wasn't going to let anything stop her: not her allergy to cats, and not the fact that in the '80s veterinary medicine was still a mostly male profession. Inspired by her grandfather, a compassionate doctor who paid house calls to all his (human) patients, Dr. Fine persevered, and brought her Oupa's principles into her own practice, which emphasizes the need to understand her patients’ stories to provide the best possible care.

And in The Other Family Doctor, Dr. Fine shares all these touching, joyful, heartbreaking, and life-affirming tales that make up her career as a vet. There's:

• The feral cat who becomes a creature out of a fable when he puts his trust in a young vet to heal his injured paw
• The pot-bellied pig who grows too big to fit in the car but remains a cherished part of her family
• The surprising colony of perfectly behaved ferrets
• The beloved aging pet who gives her people the gift of accompanying them on one final family vacation
• The dog who saves his owner's life in a most unexpected way

Woven into Dr. Fine's story are, of course, also the stories of her own pets: the birds, cats, and dogs who have taught her the most valuable lessons—how caring for the animals in our lives can teach us to better care for ourselves, especially when life seems precarious.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of additional resources and guides from the book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Karen Fine (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A delight for past, present, and prospective pet owners. And for everyone else.” —David Steinberg, Albuquerque Journal

“Just in case you didn’t love your animal doc enough already, Karen Fine’s The Other Family Doctor will make you want to HUG your vet. This endearing memoir of what it takes to become a veterinarian and make it through the trenches of providing 24/7 care for the creatures we love best is so full of grit, determination, humor, and love.” —Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Woodrow on the Bench and Those Who Save Us

“Filled with compassion and wisdom, Karen Fine is a healer whose own wounds have deepened her gifts for bringing animals and their people comfort and peace.” —Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus and How to Be a Good Creature

Heartfelt and beautiful!

I loved this book! Although i cried my eyes out a couple time, it was healing. I really enjoyed hearing stories about Dr. Fine’s experiences with animals, seeing how pets really can change our lives and we theirs. I’ll never forget the Rana Colored Thread.

Can't recommend enough

This is a must listen for every veterinarian, animal lover and anyone considering sharing their heart with a pet. Dr Fine's experiences reflect my own and listening ti her voice retell her story was cathartic, empowering and motivating. The PDF will be a great resource for my clients. My pets second my review with purrs and tail wags.

Wonderful

Animal lovers everywhere will enjoy this book. I laughed and cried as the author related her life treating animals and the people who share their lives with them.

Can I leave 10 stars?!

I absolutely loved this book, and the fact that the narrator was also the author made it that much better. Author narrates are not always a great combo, but in this one it worked! I hope I see this author expand her adventures with a future book!

A wondrous meditation on our pets and why they bring meaning to our lives by a veterinary doctor

I went through this book over four days of walks with my dog Murphy. This is a wonderful meditation on how pets bring meaning to our lives from an author who looks at the human and animal relationship as a holistic union. A wonderful book and narration by the author herself. Truly moving.

Love it!

I felt like I was there with her and her pets. I shed some tears as i listened to the hardship of losing a pet and appreciate the aspect she shared re: becoming a vet and being a vet.

Couldn’t stop listening

I just enjoyed it and allowed myself to grieve for my animals that are no longer with me, as much as loving the ones who are here more and more with every breath.

Emotional Rollercoaster

I loved this book! I am also out of tears...I pretty much cried for hours, but in a good way, a cleansing way. Bravo and thank you.

Wholesome

I absolutely loved this book. As a pet owner/lover myself, I found much of it heartwarming and insightful. I laughed and cried with the stories of various pets and found myself hugging my own fur babies, knowing the time we get will never be enough. It’s so true that our pets living in the present and loving us hard is the greatest lesson we could ever have. A terrific listen!

Touched my soul

This book needs a NSFW designation….but not for the typical reason! I was brought to tears so many times! Gifted writer and veterinarian.