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

“It was the start to every day. And, driving from the yard, it seemed a good start. In fact everything was good. The raucous cawing of the rooks in the elms above as I closed the double doors, the clean fragrance of the air which greeted me every morning, and the challenge and interest of my job.”

Herriot’s observations of the natural world convey The Power and Beauty of Nature and capture his appreciation for the natural world. Every day feels like a good day to him because of where he is living and working. He can bask in the “fragrance of the air” and the “challenge and interest” of his job—all of which gives his life meaning and affords him a positive outlook.

“Despite the wind cutting over the straw bales into my face I found myself grinning down at the scene; this was always the best part, the wonder that was always fresh, the miracle you couldn’t explain.”

Herriot combines elements of frustration with elements of fulfillment in this scene from a veterinary visit, and together, they capture his appreciation for life. He is working in the “cutting wind” but he is “grinning down” at his work. The disparity between his harsh circumstances and his positive body language captures his ability to enjoy his life and work despite his often trying rural surroundings.

“This form of self-indulgence had become part of my life and still is; a reluctance to come down from the high country; a penchant for stepping out of the stream of life and loitering on the brink for a few minutes as an uninvolved spectator.”

Herriot’s appreciation for the natural world comes through his detailed description of his surroundings. He describes his solo outings in the countryside as a “form of self-indulgence.” He is taking pleasure in “the high country,” as this idyllic setting reminds him of his humanity. The passage contributes to the text’s overarching explorations of The Power and Beauty of Nature.

“I wondered whether he thought I had actually killed his cow. It certainly hadn’t looked very good, the vet walking up to the sick animal, the quick injection and hey presto, dead. No, I had been blameless but it hadn’t looked good.”

Herriot’s anecdote about his visit with Helen and her father Mr. Alderson affects a humorous mood. Herriot is trying desperately to save Mr. Alderson’s cow to prove himself to Helen’s father. However, he inadvertently kills the cow, which makes him look silly in front of his future father-in-law. This witty anecdote captures Herriot’s ability to appreciate the humor in life and his own humanity.

“I had seen some thin dogs but this advanced emaciation reminded me of my text books on anatomy; nowhere else did the bones of pelvis, face and rib cage stand out with such horrifying clarity. […] The sight of the animal had a stupefying effect on me; I only half took in the rest of the scene—the filthy shreds of sacking scattered nearby, the bowl of scummy water.”

Herriot’s detailed description of Roy’s tenuous condition conveys his empathy for animals. He notes the dog’s “emaciation,” and his emotional response to seeing how sick the dog is. He uses language like “horrifying” and “stupefying” to convey how deeply this experience affects him. He doesn’t make a rushed judgment and put the dog down. Instead, he inhabits the dog’s experience and feels what he is feeling. The moment captures The Bond Between Humans and Animals.

“And when I went into the kitchen I knew what I would find; the inevitable tray. It was always a tray with Mrs. Dalby. The hospitable Dales people were continually asking me in for some kind of refreshment—a ‘bit o’ dinner’ perhaps, but if it wasn’t midday there was usually a mug of tea and a scone or a hunk of thick-crested apple pie—but Mrs. Dalby invariably set out a special tray.”

Herriot’s description of Mrs. Dalby’s and the Darrowby community’s hospitality captures the community life that Herriot is involved in. No matter where he goes the “Dales people” always offer him tea, food, and snacks. Their offerings capture their appreciation for Herriot’s work and the warmth and hospitality of Darrowby, which is a welcoming place defined by human connection and camaraderie.

“I had to face up to reality now and drove out to Prospect House immediately; but the feeling of cold emptiness, of having nothing to offer, made the journey a misery. I hadn’t the courage to go to the farm house and face Mrs. Dalby but hurried straight up through the fields to where the young beasts were gathered.”

Herriot’s work with the Dalbys and their cows captures the more difficult aspects of rural veterinary work. Herriot is acknowledging his own medical shortcomings—he feels a “cold emptiness” because he has “nothing to offer” to alleviate the Dalbys’ trying situation. The passage captures Herriot’s humanity and his humility. At the same time, Herriot depicts himself going to the Dalbys despite his discomfort—he is taking responsibility and trying his best to help in an impossible situation.

“I had never met him but I knew he was a young man in his early thirties. I had heard a lot about his skill, his business acumen, and about his reputation as a bon viveur. He was, they said, a dedicated devotee of the work-hard-play-hard school.”

Herriot’s description of Granville Bennett foreshadows the raucous and witty nature of their relationship. Within each of Herriot’s Granville-centered anecdotes, Herriot will witness Granville’s “skill” and “acumen” firsthand—learning from and admiring his techniques. He will also become involved in Granville’s “work-hard-play-hard” lifestyle. These experiences affect a humorous tone and capture Herriot’s ability to have fun, connect with people, and enjoy life.

“And, in fact, he did get better, though I have always found it difficult to explain to myself scientifically why the removal of that pad of tangled fibers could cause such a dramatic improvement in so many directions. But there it was. His temperature did drop and his breathing returned to normal, his eyes did stop staring and the weird stiffness disappeared from his limbs.”

Herriot’s reflections on removing the hairball from the bull Monty’s stomach capture The Power and Beauty of Nature. Herriot is proud of himself for curing the bull’s condition; however, he is also acknowledging the mystery of this experience. He doesn’t fully understand how such a seemingly small ailment could create such a severe illness, or how removing it could lead to such “a dramatic improvement.” Acknowledging his confusion conveys Herriot’s respect for the magical inner-workings of the natural world and its creatures.

“Peace on earth, goodwill towards men; the words became meaningful as never before and I saw myself suddenly as a tiny particle in the scheme of things; Darrowby, the farmers, the animals and me seemed for the first time like a warm, comfortable entity. I hadn’t been drinking but I almost floated up the stairs to our bed-sitter.”

Herriot’s surprising Christmas spirit reiterates his appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. His high spirits haven’t been affected by alcohol, but he feels as if he is “floating.” He uses diction like “goodwill,” “meaningful,” “warm,” and “comfortable” to enact his positive mood. This passage offers a private moment where Herriot is simply appreciating his circumstances and deriving joy from being alive. The passage thus speaks to the memoir’s title.

“I had heard that Mrs. Bond was in the habit of taking in strays and feeding them and giving them a home if they wanted it and this had predisposed me in her favor, because in my experience the unfortunate feline species seemed to be fair game for every kind of cruelty and neglect. They shot cats, threw things at them, starved them and set their dogs on them for fun. It was good to see somebody taking their side.”

Mrs. Bond’s unique appreciation for her cats conveys The Bond Between Humans and Animals. Herriot is noting how kind, generous, and loving Mrs. Bond is to her feline friends. Describing her relationship with her cats is Herriot’s way of showing appreciation for Mrs. Bond, too. He feels connected to her because she cares about animals in the same way that he does. He’s also eager to contribute to her and her cats’ lives because he knows that felines are often “shot,” “starved,” or generally mistreated.

“And some of the teeth had been knocked out and others slackened; there was nothing to get hold of. Could they be held together by metal plates screwed into the bone? Maybe…and was there a man with the skill and equipment to do such a job…? I thought I just might know one.”

Herriot’s use of questions and ellipses in this passage enacts his work of making sense of a particularly trying case. He is examining the cat Maudie and trying to work out the best treatment for her. His ability to ask questions—and ultimately to seek help from a more skilled small animal vet (Granville)—conveys Herriot’s humility. In these ways, the passage presents an important moment in Herriot’s Personal and Professional Growth.

“But I was enjoying myself. Veterinary surgeons are my favorite people and I reveled as I always did in their tales of successes and failures. Especially the failures; they were particularly soothing. Whenever the thought of how we were going to get home stole into my mind I banished it quickly.”

The time that Herriot spends with Granville offers him opportunities to grow as a person and a professional. He enjoys spending time with Granville, because his lifestyle is so different from his own—Granville has a love for life and compels Herriot to appreciate life in this way, too. Furthermore, Granville is willing to discuss both his “successes and failures” with Herriot—which affects an equitable dynamic.

“Mr. Partridge’s superior facade had always made him a natural target for a certain amount of legpulling which he bore stoically; but the fact that it now involved his pet pierced him to the soul. One afternoon he brought him over to the surgery and I could see that the little man was almost in tears.”

Herriot’s observations of Roland Partridge and his dog Percy reiterate The Bond Between Humans and Animals. Herriot begins by describing Roland’s usual demeanor—he’s known for being stoic. However, when his dog Percy falls ill, Roland cannot maintain his composure. The moment captures Roland’s deep love for Percy and devotion to his well-being; he can’t care for himself if Percy isn’t taken care of.

“I slumped lower in my seat and decided not to ask Carmody any more questions; and as the stone walls flipped past the windows I began to face up to the gradually filtering perception that this was a superior being next to me. It was depressing to ponder on the fact that not only was he big, good-looking, completely sure of himself but brilliant as well. Also, I thought bitterly, he had every appearance of being rich.”

Herriot’s amusing experiences with the veterinary student Richard Carmody contribute to his Personal and Professional Growth. Herriot feels embarrassed when he realizes that Carmody is better at diagnosing animals than he is. In this moment, he is trying to reconcile his own shortcomings with Carmody’s seemingly ideal character: He is not only intelligent, but handsome and wealthy. The moment affects a humorous mood, while also capturing Herriot’s humanity. He believes in himself as a vet, but he encounters frequent reminders that he has more to learn.

“It was funny how often this happened; you got a dead lamb—sometimes even a decomposed one—with a live one lurking behind it. Anyway it was a bonus and with a surge of pleasure I wiped the mucus from its mouth and pushed it forward for its mother to lick. A further exploration of the uterus revealed nothing more and I got to my feet.”

Herriot’s detailed description of his lambing experience conveys The Power and Beauty of Nature. Herriot has worked for a vet for some time and is particularly experienced with delivering lambs. However, the experience never ceases to amaze him. He is exclaiming at the mysterious nature of the natural world and its phenomena. The moment conveys his resistance to claiming authority over nature, as well as his general humility.

“From then on, recovery, as they say in the case histories, was uneventful. Or as I would rather write it, she wonderfully and miraculously just got better and never ailed another thing throughout her long life […]. And over the years, whenever I saw Penny running around, barking, bright-eyed, full of the devil, I felt a renewed welling of thankfulness for the cure which I discovered in a dark corner of a stable by accident.”

Herriot’s musings on the dog Penny’s recovery convey his ability to learn and grow over the course of his career. He is remarking upon Penny’s seemingly “miraculous” recovery, while also acknowledging that nature is always in control. (He discovered a cure for Penny via his previous experience with Kitson’s ewe.) One veterinary visit therefore gives him insight into another patient’s case. This passage contributes to Herriot’s Personal and Professional Growth and reiterates his respect for nature’s mysteries.

“And having him with me added so much to the intermissions I granted myself on my daily rounds. […] This thing which I had always done had a new meaning now. Anybody who has ever walked a dog knows the abiding satisfaction which comes from giving pleasure to a loved animal, and the sight of the little form trotting ahead of me lent a depth which had been missing before.”

Herriot’s detailed description of his relationship with his dog Sam underscores The Bond Between Humans and Animals. Herriot is indeed Sam’s owner and caretaker, but this is not the sum of their relationship. Rather, he sees Sam as a faithful companion who takes care of him, too. Sam’s presence infuses Herriot’s life with joy, meaning, and purpose. When Sam is around, he is able to appreciate his once banal activities in new ways.

“I don’t think I have ever seen two dogs enjoy each other quite as much; whenever I was on the farm I would see them together, sometimes peeping nose by nose over the half door of the loose box where they slept, occasionally slinking devotedly round the feet of their master but usually playing together. They must have spent hours rolling about in ecstatic wrestling matches, growling and panting, gnawing gently at each other’s limbs.”

Herriot’s description of the dogs Gyp and Sweep conveys his deep love and appreciation for animals. He is detailing Gyp and Sweep’s pastimes, marveling at their companionship, and deriving joy from simply watching them together. Further, his use of language in this passage affects a joyful tone—words like “peeping,” “slinking,” “playing,” “rolling,” and “ecstatic” capture the excitement of the dogs’ connection and of Herriot’s experience observing it.

“I have never driven so slowly to a case. About ten miles an hour with Helen’s head on my shoulder and all the scents of spring drifting in through the open window. And it was like sailing from stormy seas into a sweet, safe harbor, like coming home.”

Herriot crafts an intimate scene to capture the significance of his and Helen’s connection. The two are enclosed in the car together—the car is an insular, safe space that they are sharing. However, they can also smell “the scents of spring,” which symbolize newness, life, and beginnings. Further, Helen’s head is resting on Herriot’s shoulder—her body language captures their love. Herriot also compares the entire experience to sailing through “stormy seas” toward a “safe harbor”; this metaphor evokes notions of comfort, stability, and peace.

“Zoe giggled back, and I had the impression that she felt that though I was a peculiar individual there was no harm in me. I just had this terrible weakness that I was never sober day or night, but I wasn’t such a bad fellow at heart.”

Herriot’s third anecdote about visiting Granville and Zoe Bennett affects a humorous mood. Herriot has been determined to impress the lovely Zoe, but each time, he ends up at her house drunk and ineloquent. In this scene, he’s acknowledging the ridiculous nature of this pattern, while also reconciling with it. The moment conveys Herriot in an alternate light—he is enjoying himself even amidst his seeming foolishness. His ability to make fun of himself also reiterates his humanity.

“He didn’t have to say: ‘I love this place, I feel I belong here.’ It was all there in his face, in the softening of his eyes as they moved over the huddle of grass fields cupped in a hollow of the fells.”

Herriot’s encounter with and observations of Frank Metcalfe reiterates The Power and Beauty of Nature. Frank is basking in his surroundings and taking pleasure in “the grass fields” and “the fells.” His appreciation for the Dales resonates with Herriot’s. He understands that Frank loves and belongs there without him having to say so out loud. The passage therefore reiterates Herriot’s innate empathy.

“Watching her now as she got down and started to serve my breakfast the warm knowledge flowed through me as it did so often that my wife was the sort who just liked looking after a man and that I was so very lucky. And I was certainly blooming under the treatment.”

Herriot’s musings on his and Helen’s relationship underscore his love for his wife. He is observing her attentiveness to his care, which acts as an ode to their ever-deepening connection. He feels “so very lucky” because he believes Helen’s love is helping him to grow. Indeed, he compares himself to a flower, remarking that he is “blooming under her treatment.”