Dr. Robert Sharp is a country vet from Ohio. In this book, he tells dozens of stories about the animals he's treated and the people who "own" those animals. Some of the stories in this collection are laugh-out-loud funny. Other stories made me cry. And some made me think about how animals have such unique personalities. I grew up planning to become a veterinarian. This book made me glad I chose a different path. But it also gave me a greater appreciation for all the veterinarians who serve humans and our animals well. Most animal lovers will appreciate this collection.

Super cute book about the stories of a Veterinarian over the course of several years of practice.

It made me laugh, think about my own dogs, and have a warm hug. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love for animals and enjoys a nice easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early release.

I would rate this book 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

The author and veterinarian comes back with a follow up with what is like to be a small town country vet where you are exposed to your standard dogs and cats but also horses, pigs, cows and other country animals. Along the way there are many humors stories and a few sad ones but what would you expect from a veterinarian book where the author is completely honest. There are stories with repeat customers and others that will make you lose faith in humanity when read how people cannot follow instructions. This is a great read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This book was a slow read for me and it felt like a chore trying to finish. The stories were a little sad and upsetting at times. Just not for me.

3.5 stars

Dr. Robert T. Sharp is a veterinarian in Hillsboro, Ohio. Sharp's previous book, 'No Dogs in Heaven' (2005) was well-received, and - after Sharp's son Reid joined his practice - the veterinarian had time to pen another book of stories. In the preface Sharp writes, "Here are some new examples of why most veterinarians think we have the world's coolest job."

Sharp's veterinary clinic is largely a family affair with son Reid as a fellow practitioner and daughter Amy as the office chief - and the heart of the practice. Registered Animal Technician Melissa already worked for the clinic when Sharp bought it, and the staff is well known among Hillboro's animal residents (and their owners).

Sharp's narrative includes tales that are funny, touching, sad, tragic, uplifting, and more. I'll give some examples.

*****

🐶 Sharp bought the veterinary practice from Dr. Bill Lukhart, who told this story: Lukhart was called to the farm of Grover Frank, and had to help birth a calf that was coming out backward. The same thing happened a week later.

The veterinarian asked Grover "Did you have Walt Smith come out and do artificial insemination on your cows?" When Walt said yes, Lukhart joked "When you see him, tell him to quit putting 'em in backwards." A week later, Lukhart ran into Walt Smith, who complained, "What are you doin' telling Grover Frank I was puttin' calves in backward? He just called me and gave me Hell." 😊

*****

🐶 Another tale from Dr. Bill Lukhart went as follows: Three farming brothers phoned Lukhart about a cow who had gone down with milk fever (calcium deficiency). When Lukhart arrived at the farm he saw the cow in the middle of a pond and asked, "Do you want me to put on my water-wings to treat her?" But the brothers had a plan: they put the doc into the front-end loader of an Allis-Chalmers tractor and drove him out to the cow, who was treated from the bucket.

*****

🐶 In an introduction to more heartrending anecdotes, Sharp writes, "You might think some of the stories that follow are indelicate or gross. To those who fix problems like these, they are just daily experiences and a challenge to repair. It's just another day at the office." Here an illustration....with a happy ending.

Big Alex, the county humane officer, carried a lanky, mud-covered, abused dog into Dr. Sharp's office. "You won't believe this by lookin' at him, Doc," said Big Alex, "but he's a purebred Standard Poodle." The poodle was skeletal, barely breathing, had eyes that were sunken and dull, had hair knotted into mats that were inches thick, gave off a nauseating smell, and had skin that was red, wet, infected, and covered with a million maggots.

The dog looked like he wouldn't last a day, but Sharp and his assistants gave the canine an anesthetic, clipped his filthy hair, washed his skin with antibacterial soap, and killed the swarming mass of maggots. The staff then proceeded to give the pooch IV fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, anti-shock drugs, and anything they could to keep him from dying.

The poodle - now called Clipper - (very) slowly recovered and after five months he looked like a shaggy, off-white dog with a few hairless areas - tall, long, and very happy. Clipper went home to live with Sharp's family, was taken to a groomer, and emerged as a light apricot full fledged foo-foo dog.

Clipper now became a Hillsboro celebrity: he went to schools with Sharp for career days; was welcomed at book clubs and libraries; charmed residents of nursing homes; etc. Sharp observes, "He was my dog.....my friend."

*****

🐶 A beagle appropriately named Mudflap got Sharp to thinking about pet names.

Sharp writes, "People rarely tell you their pet's name without telling you who came up with it - it's not their fault. For instance:

His name is Reynaldo. My son named him after some comic book guy.

His name is Anton, I can't tell you why my wife thinks that's a good name for a Lab. It sounds French to me.

His name is Armani. My daughter says he's very stylish. I wouldn't know.

Sharp finds himself doing the same thing for the office cat. He'll say, "Her name is Panther. She was named before we knew her."

Sharp goes on to describe many animal names, and the story is a hoot. 😊


*****

🐶 Sometimes it's the pet owners that are difficult to deal with. Dr. Sharp tells a story about Mrs. Anna Marie Tricomi, a crabby, demanding, sullen, paranoid, unsatisfiable grouch.....who had a really nice cat called Bubbles.

Sharp notes, "Any stray conversation would launch her into a tirade about some perceived wrong that had befallen her and the incompetent idiot who was responsible.....gas prices, snowfall, runny fried eggs, sermons, Republicans, child-rearing, Democrats, and human behavior in general. I was very careful to talk primarily to Bubbles and only ask about signs of the current problem. I knew that probably I was the incompetent idiot when Mrs. Tricomi is in other locales, and so I didn't want to give her more cannon fodder than necessary."

After relating many of Mrs Tricomi's bad-tempered rants, and her nettlesome complaints about a medication Sharp prescribed for Bubbles, the doc admits he finally asked Mrs. Tricomi to find another veterinarian. And Mrs Tricomi responded, "I would never consider that. I enjoy these discussions so!"


*****

Sharp has lots more stories, as well as praise for modern developments in veterinary medicine, like bloodwork analyzed in twelve minutes rather than several days. Sharp also provides information about the many jobs available to graduates of veterinary school, such as scientific research; teaching; meat inspection; zoo veterinarian; honeybee specialist; and more.

If you're an animal lover, and a fan of of James Herriot's books (such as All Things Bright and Beautiful), you'll like these accounts, which are both enlightening and entertaining.

Thanks to Netgalley, Robert T. Sharp, and Lyons Press for a copy of the manuscript.

This was a book reminding me of James Herriot so as a result I was intrigued to pick it up to read although not having read the first. Although Robert does have his own unique voice and one that most definitely bridges the gap I just cannot see why I would want to re-read the book now that I have finished it.

The book itself is split up into various sections with each section starting off with a small quote and then an introduction providing the reader a story providing insight into the stories that will be upcoming next. There is no set number of stories in these sections but all the stories are rather relatable whether it is about <i>flying in the dark, failures to communicate</i> or <i>bad situations</i>.

Due to the mention in the Preface that the prior book had had some humorous illustrations I was hoping for some of the same but instead the book itself has no illustrations.

All in all it was rather a decent read that will give the reader some insight into what it means to be a veterinarian, especially with a country practice, some insights into the vet-patient bond and also how much a given field can change. Heart-wrenching, humorous at times and also warm this will be a nice book to curl up with then pass it on to the next interested reader.

**I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I have worked in a veterinary hospital and this book reminded me of the not so happy days, dealing with owners who just keep making the same mistakes when it comes to caring for their animals, and doctors that have a "well if they live, they live" attitude, not that it was the author. It became a chore to read, just wondering what was in store next for an animal.

The first story started out so sad that I had to put the book down. I'm sure it's a marvelous book, but I couldn't bear to be sad reading about animals.

Great stories by vet Robert Sharp. He has a gift for storytelling, and when it involves animals it’s a win win.

The Bull in the Darkness and the One-Eyed Dog by Robert T. Sharp D.V.M. was excellent! Loved it!

Can't tell you how many times I thought "this is a modern day version of James Herriot's All Creatures with a mid Ohio setting". Being from neighboring Michigan I am aware of many of the towns mentioned in the book.

I know when I start telling my husband about a book, it is pretty special and particularly liked the K-9 section.

This is not Robert T. Sharp DVM's first book, I'll be trying to find copies of some of his previously written books.

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to a "new-to-me" author. Thank you for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher Rowman & Littlefield, Lyons Press for approving my request to review.

My dad started me on the James Herriot books way book when and, ever since, I cannot pass up a book about veterinarians. This book for me, reads as one of the greats. This book more than held my interest and I had a hard time putting it down while I had company over the weekend. I snuck in pages while trying to be an attentive hostess at the same time. This book gave me many laughs and I owe a big thank you for that to the publisher and NetGalley who provided me with a digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.

A quick, charming, and sincere read full of stories from a rural country veterinarian’s career. It was lovely to read something purely goodhearted. This will surely do well, given the current success of PBS’s All Creatures Great and Small. I enjoyed it!

I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield.

You can’t go wrong with a book titled The Bull in the Darkness and the One-Eyed Dog, can you? Nope. This memoir by country vet Dr. Robert Sharp is a delightful, quick easy read full of laugh-out-loud stories of a long career charming animals and their owners in rural Ohio. The cow that deliberately fell of a cliff - twice- and survived will bring tears to your eyes. So will the story of rescue dog Clipper, aka Pierre but for different reasons. Dr. Sharp also compares his practice to that of the vet he followed and makes clear that new advances in veterinary medicine have improved diagnoses and treatments. This well-written, charming book is perfect for animal lovers everywhere. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rowman & Littlefield and Dr. Robert T. Sharp for this ARC.

A easy read about a country vet. Enjoyed it, but also found it easy to skim at times. Would recommend this book and author.

Robert T. Sharp's THE BULL IN THE DARKNESS AND THE ONE-EYED DOG is a warm, compassionate, and gentle recounting of a country vet's experiences, adeptly mixing humor and sentiment for a wonderful read.