Halliday grunted. Oh, there wont be much done. Its a case of diminished responsibility. The owners definitely simple, living with an aged mother. Ive seen the fellow and it seems he threw in a bit of food when he felt like it and thats about all he did. Theyll fine him and stop him keeping an animal in the future but nothing more than that.
I see. I reached out and stroked the dogs head and he immediately responded by resting a paw on my wrist. There was a pathetic dignity about the way he held himself erect, the calm eyes regarding me, friendly and unafraid. Well, youll let me know if you want me in court.
Of course, and thank you for coming along. Halliday hesitated for a moment. And now I expect youll want to put this poor thing out of his misery right away.
I continued to run my hand over the head and ears while I thought for a moment. Yes yes, I suppose so. Wed never find a home for him in this state. Its the kindest thing to do. Anyway, push the door wide open, will you, so that I can get a proper look at him.
In the improved light I examined him more thoroughly. Perfect teeth, well-proportioned limbs with a fringe of yellow hair. I put my stethoscope on his chest and as I listened to the slow, strong thudding of the heart the dog again put his paw on my hand.
I turned to Halliday. You know, Inspector, inside this bag of bones theres a lovely healthy golden retriever. I wish there was some way of letting him out.
As I spoke I noticed there was more than one figure in the door opening. A pair of black pebble eyes was peering intently at the dog from behind the Inspectors broad back. The other spectators had remained in the lane but Mrs. Donovans curiosity had been too much for her. I continued conversationally as though I hadnt seen her.
You know, what this dog needs first of all is a good shampoo to clean up his matted coat.
Huh? said Halliday.
Yes. And then he wants a long course of some really strong condition powders.
Whats that? The Inspector looked startled.
Theres no doubt about it, I said. Its the only hope for him, but where are you going to find such things? Really powerful enough, I mean. I sighed and straightened up. Ah well, I suppose theres nothing else for it. Id better put him to sleep right away. Ill get the things from my car.
When I got back to the shed Mrs. Donovan was already inside examining the dog despite the feeble remonstrances of the big man.
Look! she said excitedly, pointing to a name roughly scratched on the collar. His names Roy. She smiled up at me. Its a bit like Rex, isnt it, that name.
You know, Mrs. Donovan, now you mention it, it is. Its very like Rex, the way it comes off your tongue.
As I straightened up she seized my wrist in a grip of surprising strength and looked up into my eyes.
Now, Mr. Herriot, she said, havent I made a difference to this dog!
Youve done wonders, Mrs. Donovan, I said. And youve been at him with that marvelous shampoo of yours, havent you?
She giggled and walked away and from that day I saw the two of them frequently but at a distance and something like two months went by before I had a chance to talk to her again. She was passing by the surgery as I was coming down the steps and again she grabbed my wrist.
Mr. Herriot, she said, just as she had done before, havent I made a difference to this dog!
I looked down at Roy with something akin to awe. He had grown and filled out and his coat, no longer yellow but a rich gold, lay in luxuriant shining swathes over the well-fleshed ribs and back. A new, brightly studded collar glittered on his neck and his tail, beautifully fringed, fanned the air gently. He was now a golden retriever in full magnificence. As I stared at him he reared up, plunked his forepaws on my chest, and looked into my face, and in his eyes I read plainly the same calm affection and trust I had seen back in that black, noisome shed.
Mrs. Donovan, I said softly, hes the most beautiful dog in Yorkshire. Then, because I knew she was waiting for it, Its those wonderful condition powders. Whatever do you put in them?
Ah, wouldnt you like to know! She bridled and smiled up at me coquettishly and indeed she was nearer being kissed at that moment than for many years.
I suppose you could say that was the start of Roys second life. And as the years passed I often pondered on the beneficent providence which had decreed that an animal which had spent his first twelve months abandoned and unwanted, staring uncomprehendingly into that unchanging, stinking darkness, should be whisked in a moment into an existence of light and movement and love. Because I dont think any dog had it quite so good as Roy from then on.
His diet changed dramatically from odd bread crusts to best stewing steak and biscuit, meaty bones and a bowl of warm milk every evening. And he never missed a thing. Garden fetes, school sports, gymkhanashed be there. I was pleased to note that as time went on Mrs. Donovan seemed to be clocking up an even greater daily mileage. Her expenditure on shoe leather must have been phenomenal, but of course it was absolute pie for Roya busy round in the morning, home for a meal then straight out again; it was all go.