In and Out of the Rainbow is a true story of my sojourn in the Hawaiian Islands where I went in search of a dream. After spending a year working in veterinary clinics, I decided to build my own clinic - a mobile clinic on the island of Maui.

This was an incredible challenge in an isolated place where there was hardly any veterinary service available. I begin my work in the rural areas with the island people and the island animals being a huge part of this book.

Each chapter is devoted to an important case ranging from the wild dogs in the country that have been poisoned with paraquat in the macadamia nut groves to a tiny paralyzed kitten in Lahaina that taught me that love is unconditional and can overcome anything. My unconditional love for Hawaii and its people along with their animals kept me In and Out of the Rainbow.

EXCERPT

"Doc! Doc! My God, Doc, hurry!"

I ran towards the scream in the waiting room.

Animal Mobile clinic on the
road to Hana

Dr. Joy and Bunny in front of Mobile Clinic

"Put him there on the table." I pointed.

He obeyed, but when he released his hold and stepped back so I could examine the dog, blood spurthed up from the dog's neck like a fountain, splattering my face, soaking the front of my blouse. I searched quickly through the blood-soaked fur until I found the severed jugular vein. I held it clamped tightly in my hand, momentarily staunching the deadly blood loss.

"What happened?" I asked tensely, probing at the long gaping wound in the dog's neck with my other hand.

"She be charged by one pig on de mountain," he said softly as he reached out to touch the unconcious dog. The man was short, heavy set. His shrunken Primo Beer T-shirt hiked up to show a crescent of his amber-toned belly. There was a humbleness about him, and a shy vulnerability when he said, "I hunt da wild pig all time. Got lots of dogs. Dis one my most brave. Es she gonna die, Doc, or what?"