Don't Turn Your Back in the Barn

A rookie veterinarian's inaugural year in rural British Columbia proves that veterinary medicine involves far more than just treating animals in this heartfelt collection of true stories from the field. Dr. David Perrin chronicles his often chaotic, sometimes heartbreaking, and frequently hysterical encounters with a deeply eclectic cast of two-legged clients, from skeptical farmers to eccentric locals, who test his skills as much as their ailing livestock do. The narrative captures the gritty reality of 1970s country practice, where every barn call is an unpredictable adventure and the title's warning serves as a literal and figurative piece of crucial professional advice.

Fans of James Herriot's classic tales will find a kindred spirit in Perrin, who possesses the same keen eye for character and the absurdities of rural life. What makes this memoir distinctive is its raw, Canadian frontier authenticity and the palpable sense of a young man learning his trade through trial, error, and a fair amount of manure. Readers who enjoy true stories of mentorship, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals will be thoroughly charmed. The collection leaves a lasting impression of a demanding, messy, and profoundly rewarding vocation.