Sun Lakes resident Dr. Robert Hirt has authored a book on his life as a country veterinarian. He practiced in western New York State for many years before moving to Sun Lakes in 1998. As a non-fiction writer, his stories depict various graphic situations that occurred almost daily in his rural practice. Dealing with these salt-of-the-earth farm folks gave him insight as to how, despite the hardships of working the land and dealing with the vagaries of nature, these laid-back, gentle people usually displayed optimism and determination as well as a genuine sense of humor on a daily basis.