Dr. Doug Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist and has been a veterinarian for over three decades. He is an internationally recognized speaker, has written three best-selling medical textbooks and numerous book chapters and scientific publications, and has had long standing pet columns in the Long Beach Press Telegram, Reptiles magazine, and the Key West Citizen. Dr. Mader is the recipient of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Award, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award, and the Fred L. Frye Lifetime Achievement Award for Veterinary Medicine, and is a seven-time winner of the North American Veterinary Community Speaker of the Year award and a four-time winner of the Western Veterinary Conference Educator of the Year award. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine in the UK. Dr. Mader practiced in California for many years, but today lives and works in the Florida Keys.Dr. Doug Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist and has been a veterinarian for over three decades. He is an internationally recognized speaker, has written three best-selling medical textbooks and numerous book chapters and scientific publications, and has had long standing pet columns in the Long Beach Press Telegram, Reptiles magazine, and the Key West Citizen. Dr. Mader is the recipient of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Award, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award, and the Fred L. Frye Lifetime Achievement Award for Veterinary Medicine, and is a seven-time winner of the North American Veterinary Community Speaker of the Year award and a four-time winner of the Western Veterinary Conference Educator of the Year award. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine in the UK. Dr. Mader practiced in California for many years, but today lives and works in the Florida Keys.Dr. Kevin T. Fitzgerald has been a veterinarian since 1983 and currently works at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Fitzgerald starred in Animal Planet's Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns. He has served on the board of directors at the Denver Zoo, was president of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, and since 1985 has been an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Denver. Dr. Fitzgerald has published over one hundred articles in peer-reviewed journals and written fifty-three chapters in veterinary textbooks. He writes monthly columns for the American Kennel Club Gazette, American Kennel Club's Family Dog magazine, and Police Dog magazine, has a weekly radio spot, "Veterinary Corner," and since 2003 has hosted a weekly television segment, "Animal House," on Denver's Channel 2 morning news. He lives in Denver.

• ProloguePrefaceThe KarensSeptember: Randy and the Sticky BunsOctober: Cheryl Knows BestNovember: Mort the ConquerorDecember: Brenna and the SkunkJanuary: Big MacFebruary: Tanya and the SnakeMarch: Raoul at the Ferret ClubApril: Greta Can't Get a BreakMay: Don't Mess with SophieJune: Rolling the TortoiseJuly: Grant and Chloe "Have a Thing"August 1992: The Big TestEpilogue

"James Herriot set high standards for veterinarians sharing their personal journeys, but this memoir by veterinarian Mader holds its own. . . . Verdict: An engrossing read for animal lovers." -Library Journal"Dogs, cats, emus, skunks, snakes, foxes, and monkeys: All are welcome at Noah's Ark Veterinary Hospital in inner city LA, where the book recounts the daily travails of Dr. Mader and staff during a single year. . . . Required reading." -New York Post"James Herriot set high standards with his incredible storytelling prowess a half century ago. For the first time in over 50 years, American veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader has matched the task. . . . Prepare to shed a tear or two, but most of all, be ready to celebrate the magic of the human-animal bond." -Key West Citizen"Doug is so fearless and dedicated. He's also a damn good storyteller, as readers of this memoir will find out."-Carl Hiaasen, New York Times best-selling author of Bad Monkey, Skinny Dip, and Squeeze Me"Prepare to be moved and to even shed a tear or two as you meet an unforgettable parade of characters: mice, tortoises, parrots, snakes, emus, and the odd ferret. Through it all, Dr. Mader's love for and devotion to his patients, and his quirky staff who become family, provide hilarity and heartbreak-and proof of the unbreakable human-animal bond."-Melissa Jo Peltier, executive producer of Dog Whisperer and New York Times best-selling coauthor of Cesar's Way, How to Raise the Perfect Dog, and Be The Pack Leader"Dr. Mader does a fantastic job representing the life of a passionate and devoted veterinarian. You will laugh, cry, and be captivated as he navigates uncertainty and risk with courage and dedication."-Dr. Linda Bender, author of Animal Wisdom: Learning from the Spiritual Lives of Animals"Of course veterinarians love animals, but the best veterinarians love people as well. Doug Mader's understanding and love of all life comes across in this solid read."-Dr. Kevin T. Fitzgerald, veterinarian on Animal Planet's Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns"Dr. Mader's storytelling is as amazing as the patients he treats. The Vet at Noah's Ark is not only a great story, but also lets the reader walk in his shoes as he struggles with the daily challenges of operating a busy animal hospital, all while navigating the dangers of living and working in the inner city."-Dr. Sally Haddock, The Making of a Woman Vet"If your soul is tired or you're burned out from doom-n-gloom books and just want to read a modern day James Harriet sequel, this book is for you." -Dr. Karen Becker, New York Times bestselling author of The Forever Dog