In his earlier novels, Herriot's major interest is in the people of Yorkshire.

Tenacious, hard working, often desperately hard pressed for survival, their success or failure depends on their harsh land and their animals. And their personalities have been shaped by the sparse and beautiful landscape of the Dales. Their relationship with their livestock and farm creatures is by necessity intensely practical. Yet in many instances, they also demonstrate a close, warm feeling and concern which transcends the purely utilitarian considerations. In his volume of cat stories, Herriot's narratives take on a different aspect. By concentrating on a single animal, the cat, the emphasis shifts from the human aspects to those of the animal. In his introduction, Herriot himself explains that he has always had a special relationship with cats.

"They were the main reason why I chose a career as a vet. In my school...