How Animals Saved My Life: Being the Supervet

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This one had chapters based on qualities (Internalisation, Nowness, Truth and Trust, Empathy, Genuineness, Rightness, Innovation, Tenacity, Youness, Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Eternalisation) that read like they are from a self-help genre book, and to be honest some of the content matches. I listened to Noel's book now three times. Finally I took up medication myself. As a freelance writer of several books and carer of 6 cats, 1 turtle, 1 rabbit and two dogs, who a the light of my life, I have built up so much stress, I finally realised, if I don't do anything about it, stress will kill me. Once again in my life I took up meditation. I realised that I hardly breathe, not into my belly. As if nothing existed below my head ...

This is a lively book with moments of joy as an animal recovers or a new technique is a success but also of sorrow when a pet cannot be saved or succumbs to old age. Read with my daughter who is a fan of Supervet and very much enjoyed the author’s previous book which I think was more conventionally biographical.In 2014, he founded the Humanimal Trust to champion the concept of One Medicine, a convergence of human and animal healthcare that encourages cross-pollination of medical research, and aims to reduce animal experimentation in favour of clinical trials using companion animals (pets) who actually need treatment. The trust only funds projects that don’t take animal life. I loved reading about Noel's surgeries and how he has overcome issues and come up with new tools to help our beloved animals. As someone with a cat, who loves that cat more than most people, reading about the ethical struggles that others have had was very hard. I found myself imagining being in their positions and honestly, I would do anything to make sure that my companion survived.

Sixthly in how up to date it is – the book’s themes drawing together in a very tangible and incredibly up to date way with a severe accident to his own dog in September 2020 (one month before publication). Secondly, how the author draws on the qualities he sees in animals – particularly pet cats and dogs, including his own. This one is slightly different to his others, in that he has outlined 13 sections for his reasons as to what he thinks we all need to have about us to be a good person. And obviously what we gain from having animals in our lives and what they give to us and help us to do. I’ll tell you what,” he says. “I have to rationalise how I’m gonna pass on what’s important to the next generation before I’m too old and incapacitated to do it. I’m trying hard to create a mechanism by which that’s possible.” This, I think, is his way of saying he needs to delegate more. I love the programme The Supervet and I haven't read his other book. I didn't actually know there was another book until I read this. I came at this book with an open mind because I had no clue what it was about but I sort of expected something of a vaguely autobiographical nature. What I got was a book verging on despair; full of one part arrogance, five parts low self esteem and damage from bullying as a child. I got a self help book and a philosophy book as well as a book on transcendental meditation and buddhism. I got a lecture about the danger of 'over treatment' and how hurt he was that he had been accused of it. (Incidentally as a watcher of Supervet I've quite often thought there was over treatment but then as he points out, it's not quantifiably defined so who knows).Another great book from the Supervet, more in depth this time, and yes it made me laugh and cry all at the same time. Hope Keira is recovering well.