Speaking for Spot ::What People are Saying

“From vaccinations and pet insurance to second opinions and end of life decisions, dog lovers often feel overwhelmed trying to make the best choice for their pup, pocket book, and peace–of–mind. Thanks to Speaking for Spot, we finally have a book that makes sense of it all! With experience, warmth, wit, and candor, Dr. Nancy Kay provides an authentic, user–friendly guide for making all types of health care choices for your dog.”

-Marty Becker, DVM, resident veterinarian on Good Morning America, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, and cofounder of petconnection.com

“Speaking for Spot is an engaging, compelling and truly indispensable book. Dr Nancy Kay enables her readers to become well-informed advocates for their pets’ health care decisions. She has provided the perfect guide that will make a tremendous difference for dogs and for the people who love them.”

-Claudia Kawczynska, Editor-in-Chief, BARK magazine

“This book should be in the library of every person who loves her dog. With clarity, charm, and wit, Dr. Kay provides step-by-step guidelines that teach you how to be a responsible and informed advocate throughout your dog’s life. It could save you thousands of dollars and give you the tools to prevent the heartache that comes with making uninformed or rushed decisions about your dog’s health care.”

-Linda Tellington-Jones, Animal behaviorist and author of Getting in Touch with Your Dog; Getting in Touch with Your Puppy; and Unleash Your Dog’s Potential

"If a dog owner could have only 1 book for health information, this is it. The author explains that owners are the best observers and advocates for their dogs. This is not a do-it-yourself medical text; rather, it explains how to find the right veterinarian and become a partner in the decision-making process. Veterinarians who schedule 10-minute office visits and do not enjoy answering questions might not like this book. The rest will welcome clients who are good observers; provide a succinct, relevant history and ask questions to understand what has been said. Somewhat humorous examples of histories are provided by hypothetical owners: Ms. Succinct, Ms. Talkative, and Mr. Wanderer. Chapters on billing, second opinions, cancer, and euthanasia will help owners know what to expect in these situations.

A unique problem-based approach to 43 common clinical signs helps owners know what to look for and what information a veterinarian needs. For example, for seizures, the veterinarian will ask when it occurred, if consciousness was lost, duration and description of what happened, and any behavior changes or recent environmental exposures. The next chapter provides short explanations on > 200 diseases, with questions an owner might ask. Both of these chapters are up to date and clearly written.

The issue of texts and Internet searches includes a caution to find reputable ones (ie, those ending in .com, .org, or .edu). A list of recommended references and Web sites is provided.

I searched hard to find problems or errors in this book. In my opinion, a bit too much emphasis on adverse effects of vaccinations may frighten owners who might overlook the comment that benefits of vaccination outweigh risks, assuming proper vaccines and intervals are used. The author recommends owners and veterinarians determine optimal individualized vaccination protocols. One small error is confusion between grading (histologic degree of malignancy) and staging (extent of spread) of malignancies. Overall, this is an excellent book at a reasonable price. I highly recommend it."

-Susan M. Cotter, DVM Diplomate, ACVIM, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Sept. 15, 2009

“In previewing Speaking for Spot I found myself wishing that Dr. Kay’s book had been available when I was in practice, and read by the clients who chose me to be their pet’s veterinarian. I have to admit, as well, that I, too, could have benefited from this book—as could some of my colleagues in practice today. If you think your veterinarian might be in that category, you might want to share this book with her. Working together, you and your veterinarian will ensure that your pet gets the very best care possible.”

-John W. Albers, DVM, Executive Director, American Animal Hospital Association

“This is the book I wish I had when dogs first entered my life. It's the other best friend you need when making routine veterinary decisions for your dog or potentially heart-breaking ones.”

-Amy Tan, author of New York Times bestsellers The Joy Luck Club; The Kitchen God’s Wife; The Hundred Secret Senses; The Bonesetter’s Daughter; and Saving Fish from Drowning

"Get this book. I would give this book six stars if I could. It is a valuable tool for pet lovers and veterinarians alike. Dr. Kay offers a wealth of information that is easy to read, memorable and even humorous at times. The appendices of symptoms and diseases are packed with information and could really be their own book. They are cross-referenced to the main book for additional questions to ask your veterinarian, and when applicable, information on veterinary anesthesia and surgery."

-Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, practicing veterinarian and author of About.com guide to veterinary medicine

"As you probably know, we don’t offer a lot of books by other authors on our website, but we’ve just put up Dr. Nancy Kay’s book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life. There’s just so much good about this book, and it is such an important resource for those of us who consider our dogs to be family. I love Nancy’s thoughtful and compassionate voice, and couldn’t agree more with her encouragement to all of us to be active advocates for our pets’ veterinary care. I will admit that there are times I’ve longed for the “good old days” when medical decisions were simpler–it seems most of my dogs develop complicated, confusing ailments that elicit completely different recommendations from vets, and create tremendous angst when it comes time to decide what to do. However, in the long run it is so much better to work with health care professionals who acknowledge that this is OUR animal, that medicine is both a science and an art, and that we all need to be involved as equals in health care decisions.

Nancy sounds exactly like the kind of vet I’d like to have (and do, lucky me!). I especially love her chapters on important questions to ask your vet, cancer (an entire chapter on cancer, yeah! It is such a complicated and loaded issue), when and how to say goodbye, and her section on vaccines. Vaccines are so controversial, and you may not agree with everything she says, but I love her careful and balanced approach (vaccines save lives, pure and simple; vaccines can be overused and cause terrible problems, including death). Certainly an entire book could be written on vaccines and more detail could have been provided (Lepto once a year not enough? How often if a dog lives around livestock and wild animals?), but in general she provides a good introduction to the pro’s and con’s of vaccinations.

Personally, l would love to have seen more on alternative medicine and nutrition, but that’s just me, and besides, any single book can’t address every issue. I think the book is essential for everyone who owns a dog, and will re-read her chapter on important questions to ask your vet before my next discussion about Willie’s shoulder or Lassie kidney disease.

One additional note from me about making the most of a vet visit: I’ve found that no matter how ready I am with a written list of questions, I’ll think of more questions as I drive away from the clinic. That’s because it takes a while to process the new information I got during the visit–questions I couldn’t have anticipated until the first discussion took place. So I always set up a time for a ‘follow up’ set of questions by asking “Can I call you tomorrow when I have had time to digest what we’ve talked about, or would you like me to come back in for an office visit?” (Okay, me and my vets prefer the phone call, but I’m trying to be respectful here. Not long ago I had 2 half-hour long phone conversations with Dr. David Ettinger, Willie’s sport medicine vet, and was so grateful for the time and patience he took discussing Willie’s shoulder that I insisted on sending in payment for an office visit. There are only so many half-hours in a day after all, and how nice for me to not have to drive all the way into Madison. It was well worth it, and surely it’s important to reinforce our vets for being so dedicated, yes?)

Speaking of reinforcement, I’ll reinforce Dr. Kay if and when I see her at a conference–she deserves it for a useful and compassionate book. (Who could not love a vet who says: Thou shalt push thy veterinarian off her pedestal! Page 66: Speaking for Spot!

There’s just so much good about this book, and it is such an important resource for those of us who consider our dogs to be family."

-Patricia McConnell, PhD, author of The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog

"When was the last time you ran across a reference book that was actually fun to read? Here’s one for you! Speaking For Spot is like a layman’s medical textbook for dogs that often reads like a novel. If you think this is just another dry, dull reference book, you’re in for a treat. Dr. Nancy Kay shares her wisdom in a witty, down-to-earth style that entertains as well as informs. Her delightful sense of humor permeates her work, and makes each topic fun to read and easy to understand. Drawing from nearly thirty years of experience as a vet, Dr. Kay has a gift for explaining medical terms and situations in a way that we can easily understand, often using humorous or poignant examples from her own vet practice.

She has a “pack” of her own, besides all her experience as a vet, so she’s not just spouting theories. She also understands people’s busy schedules, and offers ideas for working around life situations to help your dog have the best possible care before, during and after a medical procedure. Dr. Kay masterfully tackles several tough subjects: finding the perfect vet and clinic, making the most of every office visit, getting a second opinion gracefully, and making the difficult decision about euthanasia. There’s a whole chapter on cancer, because it strikes so many of our dogs, and there are so many options available. There’s another eye-opening chapter called “Wow, I didn’t know you could do that on dogs!” in which she explains state-of-the-art tests and procedures currently available to animals, that used to be only for humans. Technology is amazing!

In her practical, down-to-earth way, Dr. Kay thoughtfully discusses money matters—costs of procedures, pet insurance, and payment options. She knows we’re not made of money, though we wish we were when it comes to giving our pets the care they deserve.

Who actually reads an appendix? It’s just there for later reference, right? I confess—I planned to just skim through these two, and found myself reading whole sections at a time that were just so well-written and humorous, I couldn’t resist. Appendix I covers “Common Symptoms and Questions Your Vet Will Ask About Them” (covering many illnesses), along with four key questions your vet will always want you to answer regarding any problem. Appendix II explains “Common Diseases and Questions You Should Ask Your Vet About Them” so those strange-sounding diseases are less mysterious after a quick read. I was amazed at the constant cross-referencing going on here. If you missed it the first time around, Dr. Kay points you back to the original discussion on the topic when she touches on it again later. The complete index in the back is really helpful, too.

You can go to the Speaking For Spot website to buy the book, get on Dr. Kay’s e-mail list, read her blog, and download several different templates and forms that will help you excel as your dog’s medical advocate:

Have you ever wanted to ask your vet a question, but didn’t even know enough to figure out where to start? Dr. Kay literally gives you the questions you need to ask, in relation to every imaginable scenario and situation. The idea behind the book is that the more you know, the more intelligent decisions you can make on behalf of your beloved pet. The book’s subtitle sums it all up: “Be the advocate your dog needs to live a happy, healthy, longer life.”

Every pet owner would benefit from owning a copy of this warm, witty, fullof-answers book. You’ll never again be left speechless when your vet asks you, “Do you have any questions?”

-Trish Nevan, Editor, Bow-Wow, a monthly insert in Warrenton's The Columbia Press

Here's what DJ has to say about this book:
"I have to say that Dr. Nancy Kay has won my gratitude with Speaking For Spot. It is an "insider's guide to navigating the overwhelming, confusing, and expensive world of veterinary medicine". It is so very difficult to know that you are making the right choices for you and your canine family member. Speaking For Spot offers the assistance needed, especially when making the crucial decisions. I suggest reading the book prior to having to make any visits to the veterinarian."

-DJ's Pick, Dogwise employee picks, on www.dogwise.com

"This is a must-have book for each and every one of you; in fact, order two- one for home and one to keep in your car or in your workplace. I worked with Dr. Kay for a number of years at a specialty hospital, and have the highest regard for her both professionally and personally. However, even if I had never heard of Dr. Kay, this book would be on my shelf, and I would be recommending it. Why? I'll give you a very personal example. A few weeks ago, my dog had what was speculated to be a malignant tumor of one of her toes. The day before surgery was to performed I read Speaking for Spot. I took particular notice of the chapter called, 'When the Diagnosis is Cancer.' I can't tell you how reassuring to me Dr. Kay's written words were. She didn't tell me that everything would be fine, and didn't overwhelm me with data and details that I wouldn't be able to assimilate. What she did do was tell me in easy to understand language the information I needed to know about cancer and how to consider my choices. She provided examples of choices others had made and why and the results. She gave me the confidence to face the results of my dog's surgery and to be ready to make whatever decisions needed to be made for both of us. I was prepared! Speaking for Spot has been long overdue- don't miss it!"

-Jan Rowley, editor, The Cavalier Wag, newsletter for the Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

“It is easy to write overly sentimental ‘fluff’ about dogs. It is much harder to write consistent, strong, useful information that is actually helpful. Dr. Kay’s insightful Speaking for Spot is a comprehensive, long-needed work. I know of no other book of its kind for the American public that tackles the topic in such detail. Speaking for Spot is of tremendous practical value to dog lovers and should be mandatory reading for veterinarians.”

-Kevin T. Fitzgerald, DVM, PhD Diplomate, ABVP; Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets and E.R. Vets: The Interns

"I remember my insecurity when faced with whelping my very first litter. I had purchased and practically memorized the few books available on the subject, but none told me what to do in the event of a problem. And, of course, there were problems I wish I'd had Speaking for Spot then. In fact, while reading this book, I was reminded of many of the dogs I've lived with, loved and eventually lost during my decades as a breeder. This book's subtitle is, "Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life," and author Dr. Nancy Kay follows through on that promise. The book goes into depth about any situation that could or does affect your dog's health. Dr. Kay also does not skimp when it comes to addressing the foibles of the human factor in making decisions about your dog's health. You are, after all, his voice. I dared myself to come up with a situation or topic that isn't covered by this book. I failed. The table of contents is complete: finding the right vet clinic, what to do during an office visit, the "I didn't know you could do that on dogs!" tests available, vaccinations, questions for your vet, cancer, getting a second opinion, money matters, euthanasia. Appendices include primers on disease symptoms and common diseases. A listing of resources and recommended reading rounds out Speaking for Spot's 388 pages." Read the full review in Reviews.

-Jane Swanson, Book Review in "Saber Tails", the official voice of the PBGV Club of America, December 2008

“As I read Speaking for Spot I couldn’t help but wish that it had been available throughout my 29 years with Berners, as she addresses so many of the questions and issues that I, and I’m sure many Berner owners, struggle with in seeking veterinary care. There are many books available on dog health care. Some are in the category of veterinary textbooks of medicine. Good when we need to look up something specific. Others focus on a single area or a few areas of dog health care. I don’t think you will find a more thorough, understandable and go-to-it-often reference than Speaking for Spot. It isn’t all that often that I read a book where I want to tell the world about it – but this is definitely one in that category. It is that good!”

-Kathie Meier, Book Review, Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Northern California Newsletter, September, 2008

“Dogs deserve to have good books written about them…and this is one.”

-Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape, Dogwatching, and Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of over 1,000 Breeds

"This is the best book I have ever read on the subject of health care for our precious companions. Dr. Nancy Kay has created a wonderful resource that is beneficial for the new dog owner as well as the seasoned owner. This book tells us how to be advocates for our dogs.

Also covered in “Speaking for Spot” are money matters and euthanasia. When we have to make choices, both of these subjects are very difficult to contemplate. I feel Dr. Kay gives us some very informed information that makes it easier to address these matters.

-Gayle George-Sackett, Book Review in "The Golden West", the official newsletter of the Evergreen Golden Retriever Club, March 2009

What People Are Saying

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