Ever By My Side
By dr. nick trout, author of the New York Times
bestseller Tell Me Where It Hurts
rEAdinG GrouP GuidE
introduction
A modern James Herriot, dr. nick trout has
captivated pet lovers with his bestselling tales
from the frontlines of veterinary medicine.
now dr. trout takes us behind the scenes
with tales from his own life as a pet lover,
and the dogs and cats that shaped his world.
From his English boyhood to his career and
marriage in the united States, dr. trout
introduces us to the memorable furry friends
who helped him through some especially dif-
ficult times, including his daughter’s diagno-
sis with a serious illness. through poignant
recollections, Ever By My Side captures the
journey of a man who followed his heart and
devoted his life to healing animals, while let-
ting them heal him in return.
Heartwarming and inspiring, Ever By My Side
celebrates the special joy that comes from
a beloved pet. We hope that the following
questions will enhance your reading group’s
experience of this moving memoir.
diScuSSion quEStionS
1. dr. trout begins by describing his earliest
experiences with dogs—his maternal grand-
mother’s toy poodle, Marty, and his paternal
grandmother’s dalmatian, cleo. What do these
scenes reveal about the way humans and ani-
mals reject or accept each other?
2. What did dr. trout’s parents teach him
about being a parent (including being the
“parent” of a pet)?
3. dr. trout describes Patch as his father’s
kindred spirit. What made this German
shepherd perfectly suited to father and son
in this case?
4. James Herriot was clearly a role model for
dr. trout, and for his father. How did All
creatures Great and Small compare to the
world dr. trout encountered as a veterinar-
ian? What lessons did ryan James, the trout
family’s veterinarian, impart?
5. What did dr. trout discover about himself
as he made the transition from Patch to
Whiskey? What did he discover about gen-
der and temperament by watching Patch and
Bess interact?
6. in addition to job opportunities, what did dr.
trout hope to gain by venturing to America?
in what ways was he suited to American cul-
ture? What common ground did he find with
Kathy, who would become his wife?
7. How was dr. trout transformed by his new
role as stepfather to Whitney, and to regi-
nald c. cat? What challenges did he endure
with reggie that he had never encountered
with dogs?
Ever By My Side
rEAdinG GrouP GuidE

8. As dr. trout and his wife face Emily’s
diagnosis, is their medical training a ben-
efit or a hindrance? How does Buster (the
brawny bulldog) change their perspective?
9. What makes Sophie, the Jack russell ter-
rier, hard for dr. trout to train? How was
the challenge different from when his
father had tried to train Patch?
10. When Emily insisted on a yellow Labrador,
what personality traits was she hoping for?
in what ways did Meg fulfill the dream?
11. When dr. trout’s father adopts Sasha near
the end of the book, we’re reminded that
pet ownership can mean cycles of attach-
ment and loss, and vibrancy and failing
health as the animals we love live out their
days. What does Ever By My Side ultimate-
ly teach us about life, and about healing?
12. describe the pet that made the biggest
difference in your life. What effect did you
and this pet have on each other?
13. discuss the book’s title, Ever By My Side.
What does the book say about animals’
loyalty, as well as their need for indepen-
dence?
also resistant to pets at first. What did it
take to persuade them to see the benefits
of canine companionship?
15. dr. trout’s previous books, Love Is the Best
Medicine and the bestseller Tell Me Where
It Hurts, capture his life as a veterinarian,
whereas Ever By My Side reveals his jour-
ney with his own pets. did you enjoy this
inside look? What was it like for you to see
him in another light?
ABout tHE AutHor
dr. nick trout graduated from veterinary
school at the university of cambridge,
England, in 1989. He is a diplomate of the
American and European colleges of Veteri-
nary Surgeons and a staff surgeon at the Angel
Animal Medical center in Boston. He lives
in Massachusetts with his wife, daughters, and
two dogs: Meg, a yellow Labrador, and Sophie,
a Jack russell terrier. He is the author of two
previous books: Love Is the Best Medicine and
the instant New York Times bestseller Tell Me
Where It Hurts.

14. Were you surprised to discover that Fiona

eventually got a dog (a golden retriever, no
less, named Lily)? dr. trout’s mother was

reading group guide for Ever By My Side by nick trout. copyright ©2011 by crown Publishing Group. distributed by
permission of the crown Publishing Group, a division of random House, inc. All rights reserved. no part of this read-
ing group guide may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.