Lucky Dog is a hilarious and heartwarming memoir by a renowned veterinary oncologist who tells us what we can learn about health care and ourselves from our most beloved pets.

What happens when a veterinary surgical oncologist (laymen’s term: cancer surgery doctor) thinks she has cancer herself? Enter Sarah Boston: a vet who suspects a suspicious growth in her neck is thyroid cancer. From the moment she uses her husband’s portable ultrasound machine to investigate her lump — he’s a vet, too — it’s clear this will not be your typical cancer memoir.

She takes us on a hysterical and thought-provoking journey through the human health care system from the perspective of an animal doctor. Weaving funny and poignant stories of dogs she’s treated along the way, this is an insightful memoir about what the human medical world can learn from the way we treat our canine counterparts. Lucky Dog teaches us to trust our instincts, be our own advocates, and laugh while we’re doing it.

Dr. Sarah Boston is an associate professor of surgical oncology, department of small animal clinical sciences, at the University of Florida. From age six, Boston knew she wanted to become a veterinarian. She has practiced veterinary medicine in various parts of Canada, the U.S, and New Zealand. She is currently President of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology. She lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her husband, who is a large animal veterinarian, and their dog Rumble and cat Romeow. Lucky Dog is her first book.

Sarah Boston's profile page

…absorbing, heartfelt and captivating tone… revealing and engrossing

Winnipeg Free Press

What a remarkable book — both howlingly funny and deeply moving. This veterinary oncologist’s story of looking after dogs and other animals, and looking after herself after her own cancer diagnosis, taught me volumes about illness, healthcare, and love. Lucky Dog shows how much we have to learn from the animals in our lives and from those who care for them.

Will Schwalbe, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Your Life Book Club

Boston writes with both humour and warmth, offering a self-deprecating tone and knack for colourful anecdotes.

Calgary Herald

The author’s lively storytelling and wry, self-deprecating humor ensure that her story is never a drab, hospital-green perspective on illness, and readers will root for her…Readers will count themselves fortunate, too, as they accompany Boston on her unexpected journey and spend time with some wonderful dogs along the way.

Publishers Weekly

…a compelling read

Huffington Post

…an often funny, sometimes sarcastic and always interesting account of Boston’s journey through the Canadian medical system, as compared to the veterinary healthcare system.

The Toronto Star