Chapter 16 Summary and Analysis

What could be more heartbreaking than an abandoned dog running frantically along the highway, hoping to be reunited with the humans who'd driven off and left him? Probably nothing, as James Herriot discovers one day on the way to an appointment. The Border Terrier passes his car, eyes wild, and tongue lolling about. He turns around, catches up with the dog, and gets out of the car to wait. The little dog peacefully comes into his arms with no collar, but evidence of hair matted down where there had once been a collar. Each time a car passed the dog searched it hopefully, but sank as it zoomed by.

Angry and disgusted, Herriot takes the dog home. He gives him a shot of morphine to calm him so he can sleep. Despite the fact he and his wife, Helen, already had...