Chapter 38 Summary and Analysis

Theo is Paul Cotterell's constant companion at the Drovers' Arms pub where he sits placidly under his master's stool every evening from 8 p.m. until closing time. Theo is what might be called in Yorkshire a pub terrier, Herriot muses, noting that Cotterell is a bachelor in his late 30s with a good education. Herriot admits to a bit of dismay that the young man seems to be wasting his time and life.

When Herriot encounters Cotterell at the pub, he asks the veterinarian to look at Theo's foot because of a limp. Herriot quickly snips off a broken claw. He concludes, because of Cotterell's insouciant mannerisms, that the pub habituy really didn't care about much of anything, including his dog. When Theo starts to lose weight, Herriot gives his owner some worming pills; but he continues to lose weight. A...