By: Sierra Blake
For anyone who’s ever loved a pet like family, Dr. Dawn Filos’s Tales of a Pet Vet is more than a memoir—it’s a mirror. A deeply funny, occasionally chaotic, and always heartfelt look into the life of a veterinarian who found her professional purpose not in fluorescent-lit clinics, but in the homes of her patients, the book redefines what it means to be both a healer and a human in today’s world of increasingly complex pet-parent relationships.
Dr. Filos, a seasoned vet with over two decades of experience, spent much of her early career doing relief work in veterinary clinics—a role that provided clinical variety but limited emotional connection. “I missed having long-term relationships with patients and clients,” she explains. That sense of disconnection would eventually lead her to a pivotal moment: performing her first in-home euthanasia.
“It was a professional game changer for me,” she recalls. “I saw firsthand what a beautiful, loving gift it was to provide an animal with a dignified goodbye within the comfort of their own home.” That experience became the cornerstone of a new path—one defined by presence, intimacy, and emotional depth. “I like to say that I found my professional ‘home’ in the homes of my patients and their families.”
From that decision was born a unique house call practice, and eventually, Tales of a Pet Vet—a book that captures the full spectrum of life as a modern veterinarian: joyful, bizarre, heartbreaking, and hilarious, sometimes all within a single house call.
Structured as a blend of memoir, essay collection, and behind-the-scenes expose, Tales of a Pet Vet defies neat categorization. Filos herself describes it as “one part modern-day James Herriot of All Creatures Great and Small, one part Anthony Bourdain-style exposé, and one part Marley and Me.” It’s an apt comparison. Her writing swings effortlessly between laugh-out-loud anecdotes and gut-wrenching farewells, with just enough veterinary science peppered in to ground each story in real-world experience.
The structure of the book emerged organically from her long-running blog, where topics such as the human-animal bond, pet trusts, and the everyday joys and frustrations of being a vet drew the most feedback. These popular themes became the basis for the book’s chapters—each one a cluster of stories united by a common thread and enriched by Filos’s unfiltered, often self-deprecating narrative voice.
One of the standout chapters, according to the author, is the one focused on exotic pets. “It talks about many of the pets I saw and treated that were not dogs and cats… and all the learning I often did on the job, sometimes bluffing my way through,” Filos says with a grin. The honesty of that admission is emblematic of her broader approach: she doesn’t position herself as an infallible expert, but as someone who is constantly learning—sometimes under pressure, often in the most unpredictable settings.
This vulnerability is part of what makes Tales of a Pet Vet so relatable—not just to other veterinarians, but to pet parents navigating the often overwhelming world of modern animal care. Filos doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll of the job or the complexities of a profession now shaped by rising costs, corporatization, and the pressures of what she calls “extreme pet parenting.” And yet, the tone remains hopeful and humorous throughout.
At its heart, the book is a tribute to the evolving human-animal bond. “My passion is focusing on the many benefits of the human-animal bond: psychological, emotional, physical, companionship,” she says. Over the course of her career, she’s witnessed—and celebrated—the transformation of pets from backyard dwellers to beloved family members with custom wardrobes, birthday cakes, and even emotional support roles.
“I point out, in a humorous yet revealing way, how we have evolved as pet guardians,” she notes. “People will read it and see that they are not alone in seeing their pets as family.”
But perhaps the most important takeaway from Tales of a Pet Vet is its glimpse into the heart of the veterinary profession—a world often misunderstood by the very clients it serves. Filos reminds us that veterinarians are not just animal lovers—they are deeply invested caregivers who must navigate professional burnout, compassion fatigue, and the ever-changing dynamics of client expectations.
By pulling back the curtain on the life of a house call vet, she gives readers a greater appreciation for the emotional labor behind each diagnosis, each goodbye, and each unspoken bond formed on living room floors and kitchen counters.
With Tales of a Pet Vet, Dr. Dawn Filos has not only written a book for animal lovers—she’s created a legacy of empathy, laughter, and honesty for anyone who has ever loved and lost a furry (or feathered, or scaled) friend. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps hug your pet a little tighter.
And for those wondering whether they should read it—yes, you absolutely should. Just be warned: you may never look at your veterinarian—or your pet—the same way again.
Tales of a Pet Vet: Stories from the Clinic and House Calls by Dr. Dawn Filos is available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. You can purchase the book on Amazon or explore more about Dr. Dawn and her work at her official website, drdawnthepetvet.com.
Disclaimer: This book is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. While it offers insights into the veterinary profession and the human-animal bond, it is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice or care. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for specific concerns regarding the health and well-being of your pets.
