What readers think of Ever By My Side, plus links to write your own review.

Dr. Nick Trout’s autobiography “Ever By My Side” is an honest assessment of his life. He highlights those events that played prominently in his youth and adulthood while also weaving the impact of both his two legged and four legged family and friends. While the book is sometimes dry, he compensates with those passages that touch the reader’s heartstrings, primarily when referencing one of the many animals that crossed his path. His descriptions are often tender but not saccharine. To his credit, Dr. Trout manages to remain objective about the pets of his parents and of his own family but the reader always senses an underlying sensitivity. Without being preachy, Dr. Trout relates the lessons learned from humans and animals and in particular how those interactions helped him find a way to cope with the inevitable difficulties of adulthood. This book is well worth the read for both pet owners and non-pet owners.

Dr. Nick Trout, veterinary surgeon, grew up in England. At the age of 9, he finally got a puppy after years of requests. His German Shepherd, Patch, became a close companion to both Nick and his father. They were also very fond of the television series that told the stories of James Herriet, veterinarian of Yorkshire. Nick went to veterinary school and then moved to the United States to study veterinary surgery.
This book details the pets that Nick would come to own and love as he spent his working hours with other people's animals. It is also a touching memoir of his relationship with his parents, his wife and their two daughters.
It is the kind of book that pet lovers will particularly enjoy.

I absolutely loved this book. Nicholas Trout is a fantastic writer and I laughed and cried throughout while reading as he shared his experiences about animals and people. It was quite interesting to see how he grew up with dogs in their home and the experiences he shared with his Dad and Mom. He became a compassionate husband, father, and veterinarian as a result of the lessons he learned and the unconditional love he received. Anyone who has dogs will be able to relate to this most satisfying read. This would be a great book club selection in my opinion.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough - I have many other books stacked beside my bed to read and didn't even bother with them. Dr. Nick has written two other books - if they are anything like this one, I am a fan for life, and wish he lived in my neighborhood to treat my animals. Not only is he a good vet - he is an excellent author. Worth, worth, worth your time.

This book was not a hard sell for me. I'm a passionate animal lover, so anyone who builds a life and career around caring for animals is already a hero in my eyes. I was fully prepared to LOVE this book, and I did. Read it in two sittings and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys family stories that include the four-legged family members. Nick's journey to find his place in the world and his own truths (despite his father's wish for him to be James Herriot) makes for a memorable read. When the last page was finished, I wanted the journey to continue -- which, to me, is the hallmark of a "very good" book.

Just when I thought no one knew the secrets I shared with my two labs, Trout's novel exposes the universal truth about all dogs and dog lovers - all
you REALLY need to know about unconditional love can be found in Ever By My Side. I "double dog dare" any reader to stop after page one...

I loved this book. The story contained the full gamut of feelings, from sadness, to laughter, to love, to caring. I particularly enjoyed the parts referring to clinical judgments; the why-fors so to speak. It will be enjoyable for all animal lovers as well as those who may be interested in acquiring a pet. This book is, and will be, a most favorite of mine.

I laughed. I cried. How did Dr. Trout see into my life? I enjoyed the human characters but his portraits of the animals toughed my heart deeply. I could go on and on but I can only say “YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!” As a side note – this book saved my stepdaughter’s dog. He had just dug up my flower and winter vegetable garden. I locked myself in the bedroom and read this book nonstop. It saved her dog and my sanity. I haven’t decided about her. Please read this book!