Chapter 15 Summary and Analysis

Faced with a bitch suffering pyometritis (infected uterus) and aware of his own limited surgical experience, Herriot contacts famed small animal specialist, Granville Bennett. Dinah, the 12-year-old bitch, is quite ill when brought in by her owner, Mrs. Barker,and she has heart valve insufficiency. Granville, a large and gregarious man, is pleased to meet Herriot by phone, and even more enthused about helping with one of his patients.

Granville operates a modern veterinary hospital at Hartington, about 25 miles from Darrowby, along the lines of a human hospital. Bennett was already a legend in northern England for specializing only in small animals, at a time when most vets looked down their noses at small animal practice. When he meets Bennett, Herriot is impressed:

After a few pleasantries, they proceed into surgery, where Bennett's two amazingly efficient nurses have already anesthetized Dinah...