What it Takes to Save a Life, A Veterinarian's Quest for Healing and Hope, by Kwane Stewart (Founder of Project Street Vet), (HarperOne/HarperCollins, 2023, 215pp PB, $18.99)
What does it take to save a life? Just one of many people or happenings. . . . whether the life is that of an animal or human.
Kwane Stewart is a veterinarian who has had more ups and down in his life than probably anyone else. From being a poor student who is bullied to discovering a love for science, moving, getting in o a prestigious vet school, moving, falling in love and having it not work out, moving, conquering anger, and moving yet again. Fortunately, California is a big state!
For those who love animal stories, this is the book for you. In between the human 'happenings' can be found the stories of saving animals and their people who just happen to be down on their luck and who are surviving on the streets. ("There but for the grace of God. . . .") But more than that, this is a story of how one man is saved - "keep breathing."
Some people treat the rich and famous while others work silently behind the scenes. One such veterinarian is Dr. Kwane Stewart who has certainly found his calling*.
About 10% of street people have dogs and that makes all the difference between life and not-life. There is no closer bond between man and dog than the bond between a street person and his dog. They are together 24/7 so no leash is needed to connect them. The dog becomes family and the human will feed his dog before he thinks about the next meal for himself.
Pairs of, teams of dog and man (or woman) are interspersed with the autobiographical time line of the Street Vet: this either keeps you reading or makes you want to stick with one or the other. And, of course, there are cats on the street. And birds!