James Herriot’s Favorite Dog Stories

The Herriot books are often described as “animal stories” ( he was known to refer to them as his “little cat-and-dog stories”), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of his tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is the author’s shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.
The illustrator has done amazing work with beautifully illustrated pages throughout this book.