REVIEW: The Battle Cry of the Siamese Kitten by Philipp Schott
From Dr. Schott’s 30 years in veterinary practice come over 60 heartwarming, funny, and adorable stories about angry pelicans, bug-eyed goldfish, and plenty of cats and dogs
In the third book in this bestselling series, we meet the oddest creatures, from an escaped newt to a baby snow leopard, but the focus is on the dogs and cats that make up most of a pet vet’s day, and on the wacky and wonderful people who bring them in.
Dr. Schott also pulls the curtain back on what it’s really like to be a veterinarian. Do some vet students faint at the sight of blood? (Yes.) Is it easier for vets to bring their own pets in for procedures? (No.) Did the pandemic change veterinary practice? (Yes, and how.)
You will also learn how to bathe a dog, why some rats love cats, why Dr. Schott is afraid of parrots, and a surprising way for a dog to accidentally get drunk. And, of course, you will meet Supercat, the Siamese kitten with the mightiest lungs.
Dear Dr. Schott,
This time I reached out to the publicist about getting my hands on a copy of this book before they had a chance to contact me. Did you read my request for book three? If so, thank you. I’ve enjoyed the first two and this one is no different.
Arranged in little alphabetical snacks, the book can be delved into anywhere. It can be read from back to front or the standard front to back. Readers can sit down and buzz through half of it in a go (as I did over two days) or dip into it when the mood strikes or time allows. Once again we see the vets, staff, clients, and pets who make up the “Birchwood Animal Hospital. For the love of animals since 1959.” It’s funny, it’s touching, it’s sad, and heartwarming all at the same time. There are delightful stories, gross stories (well, it is a profession with patients who truly don’t care what they do and where they go – my cats don’t differentiate between coughing up a hairball on the hardwood floor or one of my Persian rugs).
I learned all kinds of new things including some nifty words to try in my next Scrabble game, that pelicans don’t weigh more than a housecat, how to ultrasound a fish, not to stand behind one of the big cats (well, actually this was a reminder as a friend of mine went to a large cat sanctuary and the staff warned them), and that mink stink. Yes, I giggled over the rhyme. I would also immediately agree to help treat a baby snow leopard and want to hug a cria. For older people afraid to take on a young pet for fear of outliving it, lots of senior dogs and cats are in need of new homes.
I hope my vets (love my vets and their staff!) would count me among the 98% of pet owners they enjoy seeing. Thanks for continuing to see your patients through Covid even while standing in the parking lot during a Winnipeg winter. And having grown up with Siamese, I know the sound of their battlecries. B+
~Jayne
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I have read his first 2 books – they are very good. I’m really looking forward to this one. They are essays that are part memoir, part informational and include the funny, the good and the bad. I learned we did the appropriate care for our beloved cat with cancer. You just never know and it was comforting to realize we really did do all we could. Not to put people off with that comment. If you are interested in animals and veterinary science, these are lovely. I can’t wait for my turn for the library copy of this one.
@K R: Yes, yes! I hope Dr. Schott has a lot more stories to tell us.
My condolences on the loss of your cat. This is a guide I’ve seen recommended for pet owners facing this dilemma.
https://www.journeyspet.com/wp-content/uploads/articles/pet-journeys-quality-of-life-scale.pdf
@Jayne: Oh wow, this is very helpful. I saved that for future use. Thanks!
@K R: You’re welcome. Because that’s always a hard decision to make.