James Herriot is the pen name for the veterinarian who wrote All Creatures Great And Small. I think I did read this before probably forty years ago and I liked it then and I like it now. His descriptions of the landscape, of the people who worked the farms, and the animals themselves let me know that this author has an attitude of gratitude. Sometimes he would stop and sit in the fields and just appreciate the sights, the sounds, and the smells. Being a veterinarian in the country means giving up regular sleep and consistent hours. Since he enjoyed his work he didn't really mind the middle of the night calls. Sometimes he was called over to check on Mrs. Pumphrey's Pekinese Tricky Woo. The only problem with Tricky Woo was his diet which was a blend of expensive treats and cakes. I liked the way he described the friction between his boss, Siegfried and Siegfried's brother Tristan. Siegfried could be so condescending and pompous. Tristan could be work avoidant and fun-loving. This excellent book is semi-autobiographical.
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