I don't know whether it was genetic, or via socialization, but Fitzpatrick inherited his father's extraordinary drive and determination, and it has carried him to the very top of his profession. His book doesn't disappoint, and is extremely inspiring - he has led an interesting life, has had his ups and downs, experienced bullying at school, sadly puts himself down even now (why, Noel, why? I did feel that he found talking about his early life in Ireland, and his romantic attachments, a little awkward.

How Animals Saved My Life: Being the Supervet by Noel How Animals Saved My Life: Being the Supervet by Noel

So, I shall continue to be in awe of what the author has achieved, and rather sad that he has sacrificed so much to achieve it, but I'm afraid that I won't be reading any more books by him.It's great to hear about the animals that helped him paved the way for his journey and how he has had highs and lows. I have battled with periods of profound depression and feelings of worthlessness throughout my life. All in all a good read provoking some insightful discussion around the future of veterinary (and human) medicine. He does this while discussing many of his cases in practice, his own family pets and his time living on a farm growing up.

Listening to the Animals: Becoming The Supervet

Other themes are the prominence of religion in 1970s rural Ireland, childhood bullying and self-doubt. Professor Noel Fitzpatrick is a world-renowned neuro-orthopaedic veterinary surgeon, the founder of Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey, and the star of the hit television series The Supervet, now in its 11th series.A father who drove him to give his all to the family farm, terrible bullying he experienced at school, (which he believes has affected him permanently), and seemingly the only real outlet for a loving relationship at this time was with his father's sheepdog Pirate, whom he used to go and talk to in the barn after school. Noel Fitzpatrick was a bit of a lonely boy growing up on a rural Irish farm, who develops an persona of Vetman - someone who protects and looks after all animals. The way that Noel is so absorbed in his work, and the way he seemed to find a little difficulty socialising whilst in his youth, made me wonder if he is one of those lovely fascinating people on the autism spectrum.

Listening to the Animals Quotes by Noel Fitzpatrick - Goodreads Listening to the Animals Quotes by Noel Fitzpatrick - Goodreads

and I actually found this quite depressing to read, as the emphasis was almost completely on the hardships and negatives that he encountered, and although he does in passing mention some happy times, it is almost as though he is embarrassed to have had any pleasurable experiences. I loved hearing Noel’s journey from very modest beginnings and seeing how his Irish upbringing really stayed with him throughout his life (even with just still saying ‘Mammy and Daddy’ in adulthood like a true Irish country boy). We meet the animals that paved the way, from calving cows and corralling bullocks to talkative parrots and bionic cats and dogs. I was lucky enough to also attend Noel’s arena tour when he came to Dublin so parts of the book weren’t new to me because I’d heard him talk about it while on stage but there was a lot more in the book that gave me an even better understanding of everything. Reading about Noel’s upbringing on a rural Irish farm, there’s a vulnerability to his writing that makes him instantly endearing.This chapter then evolves into the relationship he has with his dad and how inconsolable about he was about losing him. Growing up on the family farm in Ballyfin, Ireland, Noel's childhood was spent tending to the cattle and sheep, the hay and silage, the tractors and land, his beloved sheepdog Pirate providing solace from the bullies that plagued him at school. I feel anxious just reading about his hectic lifestyle operating seven days per week, studying, lecturing, setting up a charity and taking part in a TV show. We learn about his ambitious journey from taking care of sheep and cows to dogs and cats and the hard work behind.