The Doc Books Series by David Carlton, DVM
By Leigh Ballard
Dr. David Carlton, a veterinarian in Dallas, Texas, has written a series of four books of short stories and anecdotes about his life as a country veterinarian through thirty years of practice. The books chronicle his experiences as he begins practice as a young veterinarian out of the university, through the development of a large and successful practice with several partners. All told, he has owned and operated five veterinary clinics. He and his partners worked long days on horse and cattle ranches and in his city clinics, and he has plenty of tales to tell.
We see through a veterinarian’s eyes the effort and dedication of a life’s calling. He tells tender and endearing stories of animals who have passed through his care, and of owners whom are both likeable and frustrating. We meet his friends and family, some of whom are crusty Texas characters! We read about his son as he grows through the years, and his innocent trust that the “Doc” can fix everything. And we come to know his assistants and colleagues, without whom a busy animal practice could never run smoothly.
In Dallas Doc we meet Dr. Carlton in his early years just learning about the chaotic life of an ambulatory practice in ranch country. In Texas Doc we see him experiencing tornadoes, treating massive injuries to a valuable racehorse, and dealing with rabies. In Hey, Doc we are with him as he saves an elderly town hero’s old mule. And in Country Doc, we watch as he comes full circle in his career to settle into what he hopes will be a less “hair-raising” pace of a citified practice.
The stories are both entertaining and heartwarming, and are suitable for all ages of readers. They are about cats, dogs, cows, and horses, and people too! This series would be a wonderful gift set for any animal lover-I highly recommend!
By Leigh Ballard
Dr. David Carlton, a veterinarian in Dallas, Texas, has written a series of four books of short stories and anecdotes about his life as a country veterinarian through thirty years of practice. The books chronicle his experiences as he begins practice as a young veterinarian out of the university, through the development of a large and successful practice with several partners. All told, he has owned and operated five veterinary clinics. He and his partners worked long days on horse and cattle ranches and in his city clinics, and he has plenty of tales to tell.
We see through a veterinarian’s eyes the effort and dedication of a life’s calling. He tells tender and endearing stories of animals who have passed through his care, and of owners whom are both likeable and frustrating. We meet his friends and family, some of whom are crusty Texas characters! We read about his son as he grows through the years, and his innocent trust that the “Doc” can fix everything. And we come to know his assistants and colleagues, without whom a busy animal practice could never run smoothly.
In Dallas Doc we meet Dr. Carlton in his early years just learning about the chaotic life of an ambulatory practice in ranch country. In Texas Doc we see him experiencing tornadoes, treating massive injuries to a valuable racehorse, and dealing with rabies. In Hey, Doc we are with him as he saves an elderly town hero’s old mule. And in Country Doc, we watch as he comes full circle in his career to settle into what he hopes will be a less “hair-raising” pace of a citified practice.
The stories are both entertaining and heartwarming, and are suitable for all ages of readers. They are about cats, dogs, cows, and horses, and people too! This series would be a wonderful gift set for any animal lover-I highly recommend!
