Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis

One of James Herriot's first customers is Mrs. Pumphrey, whose Pekingese, Tricki Woo, is forever coming down with exotic complaints such as flop-bott and crackerdog. Herriot is convinced these ailments are mere symptoms of over-indulgence and pampering. When "Uncle Herriot" arrives to check on Tricki Woo, he relieves the flop-bott by evacuating the little dog's impacted anal glands—probably related to his diet and lack of exercise.

When the veterinarian remonstrates with her for feeding the dog cream pies, chocolate fudge, and pwty on thin biscuits, she admits how challenging it is to provide her dog with an interesting diet. They sit by the fire and sip expensive sherry in her comfortable home.,Mrs. Pumphrey informs Herriot that Tricki has written a letter to the editor of Doggy World, enclosing a donation and asking if the editor could help find...