Summersdale

Synopsis

Misty was ecstatic to see her owner but to the nurse’s surprise her owner just stood there and said, ‘What have you done with my dog’s head?’

‘I’m sorry,’ replied the nurse, ‘what do you mean? She’s just been in for spaying.’

‘That isn’t my dog’s head. The rest of it is my dog but you’ve put a different head on it.’

On a crisp October morning in 1996, Emma Milne started her first job as a newly qualified vet, a career captured on camera for eleven series of television’s Vets in Practice. Now she tells the full story. We discover the numerous things that can get stuck in an animal’s stomach, how to stop a cow exploding, and – the biggest truth of all – that animals are easy to deal with in comparison to their owners.

They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and these Tales from the Tail End turn out to be stranger – and funnier – than you could ever have imagined…

‘Reading this book has proved to be a delightful, stunning experience. It is a celebration, an account of some of the adventures in the early life of a young vet. I simply couldn’t put it down! Emma Milne writes with gravitas and soul, combined with a rare gift for infectious humour. … This book is a tour de force. … Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, I urge you to immerse yourself in this book and emerge at the end with every cell in your body happily changed!’

From the Foreword by Brian Blessed

‘A great little book that will make both tails and tongues wag.’

David Bellamy

‘Like reading a transcript of my first job, Tales from the Tail End captures a vet’s journey from student to practicing clinician brilliantly... with liberal yet totally well-founded splatterings of crazy when describing our beloved clients and ourselves. A great read!’

Scott Miller

‘As warm and entertaining as Herriot, Emma's sense of humour shines through the trials and triumphs of the life of a vet.’

Steve Leonard

‘Funny and pertinent to all of us who have pets, and probably disturbing for those that don’t!’

Rick Wakeman

‘Right from the Introduction any animal lover will be drawn into this enchanting and amusing account of veterinary life. Emma Milne tells of her early career as a vet in practice, in a brilliantly honest and warm way, vividly recounting the ups and downs of the novice vet. A highly entertaining read coupled with the obvious passion that Emma has for her subject matter. James Herriot, in his country practice, would have much in common with this version of life as an animals’ doctor.’

Clarissa Baldwin OBE

‘Emma is a classic twenty first century vet; young, female and opinionated, with reality television celebrity status. Her tales – of animals, farmers, pet owners and television cameras – are both engaging and entertaining.’

Pete Wedderburn, the Daily Telegraph vet

‘This book is delightful, amusing and honest, like Emma.’

Christopher Timothy

‘A bluntly honest and eye-opening book that takes one on a most fascinating journey behind the traditional “shop front” of the veterinary world… an absolute must-read for all animal lovers.’

Allen Parton, author of Endal

‘A sensitive but sometimes harrowing account of the challenges facing a greenhorn vet directly out of vet school. I found this book a joy to read. I could relate to the fears and exhilaration that Emma felt in those early days and how her confidence gained momentum. The learning curve will continue through her life, but with Emma at the helm, it could only be good for our animal friends.’

Terry Nutkins

‘I have every respect for someone who can put their hand up a half-ton cow, and then pull it out to write so engagingly about the experience.’

Andrew Dilger, author of Dash: Bitch of the Year