Sometimes a book comes along and you say, “Wow, someone really does know what it’s like…” As pet owners we often do things we never dreamed we would do. Bob Tarte's book, Enslaved by Ducks, chronicles his life, animal acquisitions and interactions demonstrating exactly that.

It all starts with a bunny. Along the way he and his wife end up with more bunnies, parrots, doves, canaries, starlings, cats, ducks, geese and turkeys – all of whom are pets. Wildlife also plays a role in the story: owls, raccoons, and pigeons. Ostrich? There’s one mentioned.

Throughout the story the anecdotes will hit home with many pet owners. Have you ever raced to the vet for medication or needed it after hours? Had an electrical cord gnawed? Cleaned up so many poops you forget what life was like before feces? Tried to wheedle or cajole a hiding animal out of an out-of-reach place? Considered taking out stock in bandaids? Tried to build a cage on your own? Taken on a pet because of spouse’s generous heart? If so, this book is for you.

His story is written from the perspective of a suffering partner to his acquisitive wife; his Zoloft prescription features prominently in the book. The humor leaps from the pages and many of the incidents will have you nodding your head. Zoloft or no, it is apparent that Bob Tarte’s heart is as big as his wife’s when it comes to their animals.

Animal type: All
Recommended: Yes

Enslaved by Ducks is available through Amazon.com.

Title: Enslaved by Ducks
Author: Bob Tarte
Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 1565123514