The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Doctor. Dive into the heartwarming world of ‘All Creatures Great and Small,’ where the compassion and dedication of a country vet bring forth a series of unforgettable tales. Experience the highs and lows of veterinary life through James Herriot’s eyes, filled with genuine care and a touch of humor.
Continue reading to explore the rich tapestry of life and love in the Yorkshire Dales, and discover why this book remains a beloved classic.
Table of Contents
Genres
Biography, Memoir, Nature and the Environment, Society, Culture, Autobiography, Non-Fiction, Animal Stories, British Literature, Classic Literature, Historical, Biographical, Inspirational, Rural Life
‘All Creatures Great and Small’ is a collection of stories that weave together the professional and personal life of James Herriot, a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales. The narrative follows Herriot’s experiences as he treats animals of all sizes, encounters a variety of challenging situations, and navigates the complexities of rural life. From humorous anecdotes to poignant moments, Herriot’s tales highlight the enduring bond between humans and animals.
Review
James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ is a masterful blend of humor, empathy, and storytelling. Herriot’s vivid descriptions and engaging narrative style transport readers to the heart of Yorkshire, where each animal and farmer has a story to tell. The book’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the essence of veterinary practice—the triumphs, the heartaches, and the unbreakable spirit of community. It’s a testament to Herriot’s skill as a writer and his profound understanding of the human-animal connection.
Introduction: Heartwarming yet gripping tales of the deep bonds between humans and animals
All Creatures Great and Small (1972) is a semi-autobiographical chronicle of the life and adventures of young veterinarian James Herriot during the 1930s and ’40s. Blending humor, warmth, and vivid storytelling, it beautifully captures the challenges and joys of veterinary practice in rural England. Ultimately, it offers a delightful and heartfelt portrayal of the bond between humans and animals as well as the enduring spirit of community.
On a frigid Yorkshire night, James Herriot lies on the cobbled floor of a drafty barn. He’s arm-deep inside a cow, which is struggling to deliver a calf. As snow whirls in through the open doorway, settling on Herriot’s exposed back, he’s a stark contrast to the composed and clean figure of a vet in the obstetrics book he once studied.
This scene sets the tone for a journey through the life of a young veterinarian in rural England. Through Herriot’s eyes, you’ll be plunged into the semi-autobiographical tale of a country vet, where every day is an unpredictable blend of challenges and rewards. From the gritty details of veterinary procedures in less-than-ideal settings to the heartwarming interactions between farmers and their animals, you’ll witness the personal growth of a veterinarian navigating the complexities of his profession.
So, what happened to the cow struggling to give birth? You’ll have to keep going to find out.
A night in the barn
In a freezing Yorkshire barn, young veterinarian James Herriot is engaged in a grueling battle to save a calf’s life, his arm buried inside the mother cow. Herriot, stripped to the waist and shivering, is determined to deliver the calf despite the overwhelming odds. The calf’s head is improperly positioned, making the delivery exceptionally difficult. Additionally, the pressure of the cow’s contractions on his arm test Herriot’s physical limits.
The atmosphere in the barn is tense. The farmer and his son watch Herriot’s every move, their expressions filled with worry and doubt. Adding to the pressure, an elderly relative, Uncle, is present, offering unsolicited advice and comparisons with another local vet, Mr. Broomfield.
Despite the challenges, Herriot continues his painstaking work. He employs various techniques, from repelling a leg to using a blunt hook in the eye socket, but each attempt is met with limited success. The situation becomes increasingly dire, with Herriot questioning whether the calf will survive the prolonged and complicated delivery.
In a decisive moment, Herriot manages to secure a looped rope around the calf’s lower jaw. This small victory brings hope, but the struggle is far from over. Herriot must now coordinate his efforts with the farmer to gently guide the calf into a proper position for delivery.
The tension reaches a peak as the calf’s head finally emerges, followed by the rest of its body. The animal appears lifeless at first, lying motionless on the cold floor. But Herriot doesn’t give up. He clears the mucus from the calf’s mouth and begins artificial respiration, a last-ditch effort to revive the newborn.
Miraculously, the calf shows signs of life, gasping for air and moving its limbs. The mother, initially unresponsive and exhausted, becomes animated upon sensing her calf’s presence. She begins to lick and nuzzle the little creature, her maternal instincts kicking in. This simple yet profound act of care breathes new life into the calf as it gradually gains strength and starts to sit up. This, Heriot thinks, is his favorite part – the miracle that never, ever gets old.
Arriving in the Yorkshire Dales
Some time prior to the incident with the calf, in a rickety bus under the July sun, James Herriot arrived in the Yorkshire Dales. Clad in his best suit, he headed to Darrowby for a life-changing interview with a vet named Siegfried Farnon. As a newly qualified veterinary surgeon in the early to mid-1900s, Herriot was facing a grim job market where agriculture was in decline and opportunities were scarce. But Yorkshire surprised him. Instead of the dull and charmless place he’d imagined, it turned out to be a picturesque landscape of grassy hills, stone farmhouses, and endless dry stone walls.
When he arrives in Darrowby, Herriot’s anxiety begins to mount as horror stories of cruel veterinary bosses he’d heard circulate in his mind. He imagines Siegfried Farnon, his potential employer, as either a roly-poly German with merry eyes or a hulking, cold-eyed Teuton.
Skeldale House, where Herriot’s interview is to take place, is a Georgian building with an old-fashioned brass plate. Its ivy-covered facade and peeling paint speak of a timeless elegance. But his wait for Farnon is filled with unexpected encounters, each adding to the surreal quality of his first day in Darrowby. There’s a farmer seeking veterinary assistance for his cow in cryptic terms and a gentleman requiring medicine for his vomiting dog. There’s also an elegantly dressed, red-haired lady, who it turns out is also expecting Farnon for tea. Their interaction only underscores Herriot’s feeling of being an outsider in this new environment.
As Herriot contemplates his uncertain future in the garden, Siegfried Farnon finally arrives, shattering Herriot’s image of a German vet. Farnon, quintessentially English in appearance and demeanor, apologizes sincerely for forgetting their appointment. Despite the initial confusion, Farnon’s casual attitude and the charm of Skeldale House begin to put Herriot at ease.
First encounters in Yorkshire
Herriot’s initiation into rural veterinary practice with Siegfried Farnon begins in the old servants’ quarters of Skeldale House. There they find themselves in the dispensary, a place that was once the heart of veterinary medicine.
The dispensary is lined with Winchester bottles full of old remedies, from Sweet Spirits of Nitre to Chlorodyne. Each bottle is a reminder of Herriot’s extensive studies and the rich heritage of veterinary practice. Yet, Herriot can’t help but notice that some of the remedies don’t quite meet modern standards. The melodramatically labeled “Colic Drench” showcases a time when veterinary practice was as much art as science.
Herriot’s first test comes later that day at a nearby farm with a lame horse. Under Farnon’s watchful eye, he diagnoses the animal with “pus in the foot,” a common ailment locally known as “gravel.” This condition is painful and can cause significant distress to the animal. Feeling very much like he’s on trial, Herriot sets about treating the horse by cleaning the hoof, probing the area, and draining the abscess. The procedure requires a gentle touch and precision, as the horse is in discomfort and might react unpredictably. Herriot successfully treats the horse, earning Farnon’s approval.
The day’s challenges continue as they visit a calf with a cut leg, which Herriot skillfully stitches and bandages. Then, at Mr. Sharpe’s farm, they encounter a cow with a blocked teat. While Herriot has his instrument halfway into the cow’s teat, the cow unexpectedly knocks Herriot into a dung channel, adding a humorous twist to the otherwise serious task. Despite the setback, Herriot manages to clear the blockage with Sharpe and Farnon’s assistance.
On the way back to Darrowby, Farnon offers Herriot the job. As payment, he’ll receive full board plus “four quid” a week. Since Herriot had been expecting only board, the additional four pounds was a princely addition indeed.
Tricki Woo
As autumn transitions into winter in the Yorkshire Dales, Herriot begins to experience the harsher side of veterinary practice. He faces long drives with frozen feet and biting winds. His chapped hands worsen with the rush of work.
But one client brings blessed relief from the grueling routine: Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy widow living in a beautiful house called Barlby Grange on the outskirts of Darrowby.
Mrs. Pumphrey’s life revolves around her thoroughly spoiled Pekingese, Tricki Woo. Unable to refuse Tricki’s repeated pleas for treats, Mrs. Pumphrey freely rewards him with fancy cakes and tidbits. This leads to Tricki’s recurrent illness: blocked anal glands that require draining, necessitating Herriot’s visits. Herriot repeatedly warns Mrs. Pumphrey about feeding the dog a diet much too rich for his size but the warnings make little impact on Tricki’s enamored mistress.
During his visits, Herriot thoroughly takes advantage of Mrs. Pumphrey’s luxurious lifestyle, complete with glasses of sherry and cocktail biscuits. All the while, Mrs. Pumphrey regales Herriot with increasingly fantastical tales and exploits of her precious Tricki. These include how Tricki studied the racing forms to pick winning horses, began a pen pal correspondence with another dog, his mysterious feud with the garden summerhouse, and how one day he suddenly went “crackerdog,” manically running in circles before collapsing unconscious.
In return for his visits, Herriot receives lavish gifts “from Tricki” – boxes of delicious oak-smoked kippers, vine-ripened tomatoes, and tins of tobacco. Realizing the benefits of nurturing this relationship, Herriot starts writing thank-you letters directly to Tricki, though he feels a slight sense of guilt for indulging the charade.
Returning to Skeldale House after these visits, Herriot is met with Siegfried’s teasing remarks about his “hard work” at Barlby Grange. Herriot’s time with Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey offers a glimpse into the lighter, more humorous aspects of veterinary practice.
The colorful characters of Darrowby
Herriot’s life as a young veterinarian is filled with unique characters and experiences. One such character is Tristan, the younger brother of his employer, Siegfried Farnon. Tristan hitchhikes to Darrowby from Edinburgh, where he’s attending veterinary college. He arrives with a charming smile and a carefree, mischievous attitude, contrasting sharply with the more serious and methodical Siegfried.
A memorable moment occurs when Tristan’s exam results are due. Tristan sheepishly tells Siegfried that he did “all right” in parasitology but failed pathology. Siegfried is furious and launches into a tirade, telling Tristan that he’s sacking him from the clinic. Later, Tristan tells James that he isn’t worried – Siegfried is always sacking him and then forgetting. Also, he, unlike what he told Siegfried, actually failed both of his exams – but he’s not worried. He’ll just pass them after Christmas.
Meanwhile, Herriot’s professional life leads him to Heston Grange, where he meets Helen Alderson. Helen, a capable and attractive young woman, runs her family’s farm with grace and efficiency. Their first encounter occurs during a routine veterinary visit to treat a lame calf. Herriot is immediately struck by Helen’s practical skills and her deep connection to the land and animals. Soon, Herriot and Helen find themselves drawn together more frequently. They share a love for the countryside and a mutual respect for the hard work and dedication required in rural life.
One evening, Herriot decides to take Helen out to a grand hotel, the Reniston, under the impression that there’d be a dinner dance. It’s a significant step for James, marking his first formal outing with Helen. The evening is filled with anticipation and excitement. But, to Herriot’s dismay, when they arrive at the Reniston they discover that there’s no dance that night. Their disappointment is compounded by a series of mishaps, including car trouble caused by flooding roads. After the disastrous evening finally ends, Herriot assumes that Helen will never want to see him again and vows not to contact her.
The bad and the good
As Herriot continues his tenure in Darrowby, he finds himself regularly confronted by both tragedy and humor. One poignant instance comes when he receives a sudden call to visit an old dog. The dog is ill at an address in one of Darrowby’s tucked-away yards, down a narrow, Dickensian passageway, where crooked little houses bow under the weight of decay.
At Number Three, pensioner Mr. Dean welcomes James anxiously inside and introduces him to his sick old dog, Bob. After his wife had died, Bob became Mr. Dean’s sole companion. Now Bob lay whimpering, his abdomen bloated with fluid. Herriot had seen this frequently enough before – the dog had a large tumor, aggressive and inoperable.
Herriot meets Mr. Dean’s hopes with the brutal truth. After silently communing with his companion, Mr. Dean consents to ending Bob’s days painlessly. Herriot dispenses a quick, peaceful injection. Watching the man kneel, cradling Bob’s gray muzzle, leaves Herriot rueing his powerlessness as he departs the dingy home.
In contrast, Herriot encounters a lighter situation with his regular patron, Mrs. Pumphrey and her spoilt Pekingese, Tricki Woo. Despite Herriot’s warnings, Mrs. Pumphrey has continued to indulge Tricki, causing him to swell into a sausage-like form. Tricki can hardly walk, much less beg for food – instead, he repeatedly vomits and pants in distress.
To address this, Herriot insists that Tricki must be taken to the clinic for observation. Though this prospect leaves Mrs. Pumphrey distraught, Herriot manages to introduce Tricki to a more natural, active lifestyle at the clinic. Siegfried Farnon owns five of his own dogs, and although Tricki is initially lethargic and disinterested, he soon begins to engage. He discovers the joys of play and exercise – activities that had been foreign to him in his pampered life.
As Tricki’s health improves, Mrs. Pumphrey remains anxious, calling for updates and sending gifts to aid the pup’s recovery, from fresh eggs to bottles of sherry and brandy. These, of course, are enjoyed more by Herriot and the Farnons than by Tricki Woo.
James and Helen
Mortified by what he perceives to have been a disastrous first date, Herriot stops pursuing Helen. For a while, he even tries not to think of her. But fate has other plans. Their paths eventually cross again when Helen comes to Siegfried’s clinic seeking help for her injured sheepdog, Dan. This encounter reignites their connection, and they find themselves slipping back into the comfortable rapport they once shared.
In a bid to rekindle their relationship, Herriot invites Helen to join him for an evening at the cinema. But like the first one, this date just doesn’t seem destined to go as planned. After sitting down in the theater, Herriot and Helen discover that the film they intended to watch has been unexpectedly replaced with a Western called Arizona Guns. James begins to think that his chances have been ruined yet again – but then Helen starts to laugh. She laughs as though she hasn’t laughed in a long time, with her whole body and for a long time. Herriot is relieved – perhaps he still has a chance with Helen after all.
After their unexpectedly successful date, Herriot continues to pursue Helen. But not everything is smooth sailing. Helen’s father, Mr. Alderson, harbors reservations about Herriot. Because of this, Herriot continues to hesitate and delay asking Helen for her hand in marriage.
But Herriot’s colleague, Siegfried Farnon, isn’t having this. Recognizing Herriot’s hesitation and caution, Siegfried animatedly insists that Herriot seize the moment and propose to Helen. He highlights the potential for a future partnership at Skeldale House and the possibility of creating a home together in the spacious residence.
Taking Siegfried’s advice to heart, Herriot proposes to Helen, and to his delight, she accepts. Their union is celebrated amidst the beauty of the Dales, marking the beginning of a lifetime of shared adventures and happiness.
Conclusion
A young veterinarian, James Herriot, embarks on his career in the Yorkshire Dales, facing the realities of rural veterinary practice. From his initial daunting interview with Siegfried Farnon to the endearing and often humorous experiences with animals like Tricki Woo, Herriot grows as a vet both personally and professionally. His journey is marked by challenges, like the strenuous delivery of a calf in a freezing barn, and triumphs, including his courtship of Helen Alderson, amidst the backdrop of a picturesque yet demanding rural landscape.
About the Author
James Herriot