Chapter 22 Summary and Analysis

Herriot receives his military draft notice on his birthday, as Europe is descending into the depths of World War II. Before he leaves, he is called to yet another farm to tend to an ailing dog. Benjamin, a massive old English sheepdog, belonging to Arnold Summergill, has dislocated a rear leg while jumping over a fence. Herriot describes him as "a walking hearthrug; it took a second look to decide which end of him was which." Benjamin is very agreeable to an examination, and even to Herriot's efforts to twist the limb back into its socket. Time and transportation limits mean that the work be done at Summergill's home, rather than at the surgery clinic.

Wrestling with the leg while Benjamin looks off into the distance, Herriot suddenly realizes he's popped the joint back together. Herriot is elated that he was...