Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

Pleased with his success in removing a benign tumor from the chest of a large black Labrador, Herriot sits down to lunch with his fellow vets, Siegfried and Tristan. As they begin to eat, a blood-curdling shriek, somewhere between a moan and a howl, reaches their ears from the operating room where the dog is recovering. Realizing that some dogs become quite vocal during the post-operative period, the three quickly finish their lunch. Siegfried instructs his younger brother to remain in the clinic to watch over the dog until he regains consciousness.

At 6 o'clock Herriot looks in on Tristan to see how things are going. Once again he hears the frightful howling as he approaches. He finds Tristan standing in the middle of the room, hands in pockets, oblivious to the sound, as he's stuffed his ears with cotton balls. Siegfried...