In high school, Hunter-Gault found herself studying the ``comic-strip character Brenda Starr as I might have studied a journalism textbook, had there been one.'' Determined to be a journalist, she applied to several colleges-all outside of Georgia, for ``to discourage the possibility that a black student would even think of applying to one of those white schools, the state provided money for black students'' to study out of state. In ``L.A.'' (lovely Atlanta), surrounded by her loving family and a close-knit black community, the author enjoyed a happy childhood participating in activities at church and at school, where her intellectual and leadership abilities soon were noticed by both faculty and peers. While her father served in Korea, Hunter-Gault and her mother moved first to Covington, Georgia, and then to Atlanta. The eldest daughter of an army chaplain, Hunter-Gault was born in what she calls the ``first of many places that I would call `my place' ''-the small village of Due West, tucked away in a remote little corner of South Carolina. Wells weaves in the struggles of his own life and marriage with his wife's successful fight against recurrent cancer, and their adoption of an orphan from Korea.įrom the national correspondent for PBS's MacNeil-Lehrer Newshour: a moving memoir of her youth in the Deep South and her role in desegregating the Univ. There are also moving stories of difficult births and life-saving efforts in nighttime winter snows. Wells includes tips, perhaps not practical for everyone, but entertaining, how Vicks vapor rub obscures smell and helps ewes adopt, not reject, orphaned lambs. And then there are the owners, reluctant to upset the vet with fears of what might happen. Dealing with the unexpected-llamas who don’t want their nails trimmed, teenagers looking to get high on feline distemper vaccine, a herd of Scottish Highland cattle trying to protect a calf from the vet-makes for some high-tension reading. The phrase “he's never tried to bite anyone in his life” has special meaning for them, and the author includes a story of a group displaying and discussing their wounds and scars.
The stories are as much about the human owners as about the animal patients for pet owners, Wells provides insight into a vet's view of the world. The author doesn’t just deal with dogs and cats, but also sheep, goats, llamas, cattle, horses, donkeys and mules, most of which require outpatient visits. He introduces us to a cross section of critters who come through his office, or who he has to visit. Veterinarian Wells returns with another collection of warm, humorous tales of the animals he treats and the people who own and care for them. "After reading this warm and compassionate eclectic mix of stories, youre left loving this rural Colorado veterinarians sense of humor, patience and earthiness.Each of the richly detailed vignettes is intense and engaging while accented with vivid characters and a tough realism, leaving you marveling at the authors commitment and resilient, can-do spirit.Follow-up to All My Patients Have Tales (2009). "The veterinarian's second book of gently told tales from his practice are heartwarming and heartbreaking."- The Sacramento Bee Wells book is filled with stories that are touching, poignant, and funny, all reflecting his experiences as a dedicated veterinarian. Anyone who has ever been owned by a family pet will love this book." -Tucson Citizen "This is a wonderfully written book.It is filled with what has become trademark humor and gentle touch. Good-natured, inviting animal tales." - Kirkus Reviews Wells weaves in the struggles of his own life and marriage with his wife's successful fight against recurrent cancer, and their adoption of an orphan from Korea. Dealing with the unexpected-llamas who dont want their nails trimmed, teenagers looking to get high on feline distemper vaccine, a herd of Scottish Highland cattle trying to protect a calf from the vet-makes for some high-tension reading. "Veterinarian Wells returns with another collection of warm, humorous tales of the animals he treats and the people who own and care for them.