New novel pits local clinic against big veterinary chain

Nick Trout, DVM, the New York Times best-selling author of Tell Me Where it Hurts (Broadway, 2008) and novel The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs (Hyperion, 2013), has published a sequel to his first novel, titled Dog Gone, Back Soon (Hyperion, 2014).

PHOTO COURTESY HYPERION BOOKS

In this second installment of the novel series, protagonist Dr. Cyrus Mills continues his journey after inheriting The Bedside Manor for Sick Animals from his estranged father. The once-reclusive veterinary pathologist has discovered that he enjoys the animals and their owners in the small town of Eden Falls, Vt.—especially a waitress named Amy.

This time around Cyrus is pitted against Healthy Paws, a national veterinary chain across town that's trying every trick in the book to crush its local competitor. Cyrus is committed to making Bedside Manor thrive, a daunting task as he challenges the rival corporate practice. And that's not the only competition he faces: a stranger has come to town who shares a mysterious past with Amy. Cyrus also ends up as the guardian of a unique orphaned dog—right in the middle of small-town drama.

A labradoodle named Stash, the central canine character in the novel, is one of Trout's favorite parts about Dog Gone, Back Soon. "I was lucky enough to adopt a doodle, Thai, from the folks at the National Education for Assistance Dog Services," Trout says. "Here was an opportunity to sing the praises of these exceptional creatures and show the remarkable impact they can have on people's lives."

This sequel to The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs takes Dr. Cyrus Mills on a wild ride to defeat the veterinary conglomerate, find a home for an orphaned dog, win back Amy's heart and solve a case of mistaken identity.

Dog Gone Back Soon is available at drnicktrout.com, and wherever books and eBooks are sold.

Reader appreciation Facebook giveaway

Excited to get your hands on Trout's new novel? To win one of five autographed copies of Dog Gone, Back Soon, visit us at dvm360.com/troutgiveaway. You may enter once per day until the giveaway ends on July 9—good luck!

Note to readers on mobile devices: Please use a desktop computer to enter the Dog Gone, Back Soon giveaway on Facebook.