You can say that again, I said breathlessly. It nearly gave me heart failure.
The poodle wasnt ill, he just wanted his nails clipped. I smiled as I hoisted him onto the table and began to ply the clippers.
I suppose he wont want his hind claws doing, I said. Hell have worn them down himself. I was glad to find I had recovered sufficiently to attempt a little joke.
However, by the time I had finished, the old lassitude had taken over again and I felt ready to fall down as I showed man and dog to the front door.
I watched the little animal trotting away down the streetin the orthodox manner this timeand it came to me suddenly that it had been a long time since I had seen a dog doing something unusual and amusing. Like the things Brandy used to do.
A wave of gentle memories flowed through me as I leaned wearily against the door post and closed my eyes. When I opened them I saw Brandy coming round the corner of the street with Mrs. Westby. His nose was entirely obscured by a large red tomato soup can and he strained madly at the leash and whipped his tail when he saw me.
It was certainly a hallucination this time. I was looking into the past. I really ought to go to bed immediately. But I was still rooted to the door post when the big dog bounded up the steps, made an attempt, aborted by the soup can, to lick my face, and contented himself with cocking a convivial leg against the bottom step.
I stared into Mrs. Westbys radiant face. What what ?
With her sparkling eyes and wide smile she looked more attractive than ever. Look, Mr. Herriot, look! Hes better, hes better!
In an instant I was wide awake. And I I suppose youll want me to get that can off him?
Oh, yes, yes, please!
It took all my strength to lift him onto the table. He was heavier now than before his illness. I reached for the familiar forceps and began to turn the jagged edges of the can outward from the nose and mouth. Tomato soup must have been one of his favorites because he was really deeply embedded and it took some time before I was able to slide the can from his face.
I fought off his slobbering attack. Hes back in the dustbins, I see.
Yes, he is, quite regularly. Ive pulled several cans off him myself. And he goes sliding with the children, too. She smiled happily.
Thoughtfully I took my stethoscope from the pocket of my white coat and listened to his lungs. They were wonderfully clear. A slight roughness here and there, but the old cacophony had gone.
I leaned on the table and looked at the great dog with a mixture of thankfulness and incredulity. He was as before, boisterous and full of the joy of living. His tongue lolled in a happy grin and the sun glinted through the surgery window on his sleek brown and black coat.
But Mr. Herriot, Mrs. Westbys eyes were wide, how on earth has this happened? How has he got better?
Vis medicatrix naturae, I replied in tones of deep respect.
I beg your pardon?
The healing power of nature. Something no veterinary surgeon can compete with when it decides to act.
I see. And you can never tell when this is going
to happen?
No.
For a few seconds we were silent as we stroked the dogs head, ears, and flanks.
Oh, by the way, I said. Has he shown any renewed interest in the blue jeans?
Oh my word, yes! Theyre in the washing machine at this very moment. Absolutely covered in mud. Isnt it marvelous!
About the Author
James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf wight (3 October 1916 - 23 February 1995), an English veterinary surgeon and writer who used his many years of experiences as a veterinarian to write a series of books of stories about animals and their owneres. He is best know for these semi-autobiographical works, which are often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.
James Herriot's Books Include:
All Creatures Great and Small
All Things Bright and Beautiful
All Things Wise and Wonderful
The Lord God Made Them All
Every Living Thing
James Herriots Yorkshire
James Herriots Dog Stories
The Best of James Herriot
James Herriots Cat Stories
For Children
Moses the Kitten
Only One Woof
The Christmas Day Kitten
Bonnys Big Day
Blossom Comes Home
The Market Square Dog
Oscar, Cat-About-Town
Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb
James Herriots Treasury for Children