All Things Bright and Beautiful: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor

Jim takes a call at the Dimmocks. He often visits the family to tend to their many dogs. He likes the family, especially their little girl Nellie. This time, her new dog Toby is sick. Jim isn’t sure what’s wrong with him but administers a pill. Toby vomits the pill and some worms with it. Still, the dog’s condition doesn’t improve. Some weeks later, Jim sees Toby again and notices he’s become gravely thin. Wishing he’d taken more action sooner, Jim calls Granville. Granville agrees to see Toby.

Jim takes Toby to Harrington to see Granville, who discovers the dog has gastric dilatation and operates. While Toby rests, Granville insists on taking Jim out. Jim worries he’ll get sick again, and indeed ends up drinking too much, just like he does every time he’s with Granville. Then the two go back to Granville’s house, where Jim is once again burping and unable to speak in front of Zoe. He realizes that Zoe must see him as a person with a weakness for alcohol.

Jim visits Frank Metcalfe about his cows. Frank is happy because he gave up factory work to take over his family’s old farm. However, his cows are sick, and he’s in danger of losing his livelihood.