Written by a qualified veterinarian, this book does what it says on the cover! It is indeed very comprehensive, beautifully written and illustrated, making it easy to read and highly appropriate for both new pets and longer standing ones. Perhaps more than anything, it is the author's perspective (incredible warmth and respect, combined with intelligence and many years of experience) that make this book unique. Full of practical insights and life-enhancing (even life-saving) information, the author writes with great clarity and insight, covering both the Western veterinary approach and the natural holistic one. It is in this latter part that the book really comes alive, introducing a range of different modalities for treating pets naturally, including flower remedies, osteopathy, acupuncture, herbs and homeopathy. The author's premise is clearly that the health of the animals in our lives needs not just to be treated when it fails but to be cultivated and cherished. A healthy lifestyle, good food, a safe and stimulating environment and lots of exercise, together with the appropriate interventions for the presenting complaint when they are unwell.
Divided into three main sections, each one of them asks a fundamental question: what constitutes a healthy lifestyle (Part 1)?; what does it mean to be truly holistic in our care of out pets (Part 2)? and finally, how do we provide interventions that treat the patient, not the disease, and restore health when illness or injury strike (Part 3)?
Described by one reviewer as 'a delicious read' this book will educate and inform you at the very least and if not, make you smile and lovingly affirm your relationship with the animals in your life.