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

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes depictions of death and animal neglect.

In All Things Bright and Beautiful, James Herriot’s detailed accounting of his experiences as a rural veterinarian captures how human-animal relationships can be transformative and deeply emotional. Herriot presents numerous examples of how his work as a veterinarian has let him both care for and connect with animals of various species. His work primarily revolves around large animals (or farm livestock), but he also works with the Darrowby locals’ pets. The expansive nature of his work lets him bond with cows, sheep, dogs, cats, and birds alike. Herriot’s empathetic renderings of his work enact his deep affection for animals, showing how his connection with animals goes beyond professional obligation. These bonds enrich his life as well as the lives of others around him.

Herriot’s anecdote about his experience with the dog Roy clarifies his overarching belief that human-animal relationships have transformative possibilities. When he answers the call about a neglected animal, Herriot is overwhelmed by nausea at the sight of the dog and the idea of putting him down. He can’t bear the thought “of this patient animal sitting starved and forgotten in the darkness and filth for a year”; further, he sees “in his eyes only a calm trust” (74).