Saving Molly: A Research Veterinarian's Hard Choices for the Love of Animals

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Summary: Every animal rights activist should read this book!
Review: Dr. Mahoney has finally provided us with a true picture of the emotional dilemnas that are faced by a veterinarian who has gotten involved in animal research. The lay person who is a vivisectionist, if he has an open mind, can hopefully finally understand "the other side." The parallels that this doctor draws between his upsetting work and the love and hope which Molly brings to him is quite obvious. As a fellow veterinarian (who has worked with Dr. Mahoney) I can not adequately express the joy I found in reading this book. Its been a long time since I found a book which I can finally put on my bookshelf next to Dr. Herriot's books! Thank you Dr. Mahoney for sharing yourself, Molly and most importantly your chimps with us all.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read!
Review: I can't say it enough- this book is excellent! Jim Mahoney is a great story teller. I went through a phase where I read a lot of veterinary anecdote books and this is by far the best one. The focus of the book is about how he saved a puppy he found, but throughout it he tells stories of other animals throughout his career. The stories are truly touching and very well written- I was constantly reading them outloud to anyone who was around. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, not just animal lovers!! You won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read!
Review: I can't say it enough- this book is excellent! Jim Mahoney is a great story teller. I went through a phase where I read a lot of veterinary anecdote books and this is by far the best one. The focus of the book is about how he saved a puppy he found, but throughout it he tells stories of other animals throughout his career. The stories are truly touching and very well written- I was constantly reading them outloud to anyone who was around. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, not just animal lovers!! You won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Very important and touching book. Read it!
Review: I have read and re-read this book. Everytime, Dr.Mahoney's sincere account of his life with Molly and the chimps , his love for the fellow creatures and his agony over some of the hard choices he made, move me. This is a must read for everybody who wants to understand the meaning of love and understanding between human and animals.

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Summary: Asking the hard questions
Review: I read this book because I hoped to gain some insight into how researchers justify using live animals as test subjects. I didn't gain any answers here. Dr. Mahoney is just as conflicted as I am about which should have paramount importance: the need to end human suffering through research breakthroughs, or the sanctity of animal life. Contrasted with disturbing stories of memorable chimpanzees who unwillingly sacrificed their freedom and their lives in the human quest to end AIDS and hepatitis, is the remarkable story of Dr. Mahoney's heroic efforts to save a desperately sick puppy. What makes one animal's life of more importance to us than another's? Dr. Mahoney provides no easy answers, but he challenges all of us by asking the hard questions. Even so, he makes several mentions of meals containing meat, and even a trip to MacDonald's for little Molly, without even touching upon the exploitation of animals for food, who perhaps suffer an even more miserable fate than research animals. But all in all, this is a well-written book that leaves the reader with much to think about.

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Summary: Solution to Paradox: Limbo?
Review: I used to be completely against animal experimentation. I even refused to perform required disections in high school biology, and suffered the reduction in my scores because of it. How can someone, anyone, claim on the one hand to love animals and on the other deliver them into harm? I picked up this book in the waiting room of my dentist's office, and wound up reading it in a day. I am still not in favor of animal experimentation, but I am not the opponent that I used to be, either.
The paradox of love vs. harm has left many a person feeling bereft, defenseless and searching for a clear answer. Mahoney's answer is, if not exactingly clear, at least very understandable. We cannot help but feel empathy towards those whom we love, and we shouldn't try to shut off or deny those feelings. But in the resulting flood of emotions - some positive, others not - trade out your sense of guilt (which can only be destructive) for one of responsability. Keep in mind that you are the steward of other lives, not the owner. Be compassionate.
His thoughtful journey has so many applications for anyone who feels themselves to be in this predicament. For example, "Do I put my parent in a nursing home?" or "Should I keep my loved one on artificial life support?" Mahony understands this kind of pain, and has done his best to discover and explain, through the story of Molly, what balance there is. Some day, we will not need to use animals - human or otherwise - for experimentation. But that day is a long way off. Until then, we learn to move forward as kindly and thoughtfully as we can. I recommend this book to all adults (it may be too powerful for younger readers) especially those grappling with these kind of questions in their career choice or personal relationships.

Rating:
Summary: Solution to Paradox: Limbo?
Review: I used to be completely against animal experimentation. I even refused to perform required disections in high school biology, and suffered the reduction in my scores because of it. How can someone, anyone, claim on the one hand to love animals and on the other deliver them into harm? I picked up this book in the waiting room of my dentist's office, and wound up reading it in a day. I am still not in favor of animal experimentation, but I am not the opponent that I used to be, either.
The paradox of love vs. harm has left many a person feeling bereft, defenseless and searching for a clear answer. Mahoney's answer is, if not exactingly clear, at least very understandable. We cannot help but feel empathy towards those whom we love, and we shouldn't try to shut off or deny those feelings. But in the resulting flood of emotions - some positive, others not - trade out your sense of guilt (which can only be destructive) for one of responsability. Keep in mind that you are the steward of other lives, not the owner. Be compassionate.
His thoughtful journey has so many applications for anyone who feels themselves to be in this predicament. For example, "Do I put my parent in a nursing home?" or "Should I keep my loved one on artificial life support?" Mahony understands this kind of pain, and has done his best to discover and explain, through the story of Molly, what balance there is. Some day, we will not need to use animals - human or otherwise - for experimentation. But that day is a long way off. Until then, we learn to move forward as kindly and thoughtfully as we can. I recommend this book to all adults (it may be too powerful for younger readers) especially those grappling with these kind of questions in their career choice or personal relationships.