Book ~ "Dog Gone, Back Soon" (2014) Nick Trout

From Goodreads ~ When Dr. Cyrus Mills returned home after inheriting his estranged father's veterinary practice, The Bedside Manor for Sick Animals, the last thing he wanted was to stay in Eden Falls, VT, a moment longer than absolutely necessary. However, the previously reclusive veterinarian pathologist quickly found that he actually enjoyed treating animals and getting to know the eccentric residents of the tiny provincial town, especially an alluring waitress named Amy. 

So Cyrus is now determined to make Bedside Manor thrive. Not an easy goal, given that Healthy Paws, the national veterinary chain across town, will stop at nothing to crush its mom-and-pop competitor. And the rival vet practice isn't Cyrus's only competition; a handsome stranger shows up out of nowhere who clearly has a mysterious past with Amy. To top it off, Cyrus finds himself both the guardian of a very unique orphaned dog and smack in the middle of serious small town drama. 

This charming sequel to The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs is a wild and delightful ride through one jam- packed week, where Cyrus must figure out how to outsmart the evil veterinary conglomerate, win back Amy's heart, solve several tricky veterinary cases, find a home for an orphaned dog, and detangle himself from an absurd case of mistaken identity. Dog Gone, Back Soon brims with Nick Trout's trademark humor, charm, and captivating animal stories, and is proof that all dogs, lost or not, on four feet or two, deserve a second chance.

This book follows a week in the life of veterinary, Cyrus Mills.  After the recent death of his father, who he hadn't had contact with in many years, Cyrus moves back to Eden Falls, VT, to take over his inheritance ... his father's veterinary practice.  Unlike it's hip and happening competitor, Healthy Paws, it doesn't have fancy equipment or the backing of a fancy chain.  Instead Cyrus must rely on his quirky scientific mind and his background in pathology to figure out what is going on with his patients.

His patients include Gillian, a dog who refuses to eat and is losing weight; Stash, a dog who is well-trained as a helper to the disabled; Marmaduke, an obese cat; Ermintrude, a cow that might have Mad Cow Disease; and Crispin, a dog who is dead but has been stuffed whose tail has come off.  As he tries to figure out what's wrong with his patients, he is attracted to Amy, a waitress, who is giving him hot and cold signals.  He also has to contend with a vet from the competitor who is interested in him but she doesn't realize who he is.

Though this is the second in the Cyrus Mills series, it works as a stand alone (I haven't read the first one) ... there are enough references so you can figure out what happened in the first one.  I found the writing style quirky (like Cyrus) at times and found it flowed well.  It's written in the first person perspective from Cyrus' point of view.  I like reading stories about animals and this one fit the bill.

I liked Cyrus.  He didn't have any social skills which made being a pathologist a good occupation for him.  When he takes over his father's clinic, he is forced to interact with people which makes him less introverted.  Gabe and Charlie, a couple of geeky teenagers, add some comedy as does Lewis, an elderly veterinarian that Cyrus also inherited.

If you are a fan of James Herriot stories, you'll probably enjoy this one. The author is a vet in real life and that comes through with his technical knowledge.