Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

Mrs. Flaxton brings her poodle, Penny, to the animal clinic because the dog is having a practically non-stop series of intestinal spasms. They are marked by drinking copious water, then vomiting and diarrhea. Herriot gives the dog several different remedies—including a mixture of bismuth, kaolin, and chlorodyne—but nothing seems to provide relief. Late one night, Mrs. Flaxton calls Herriot at home and beseeches him to come see Penny, whom she believes is close to death.

Faced with the possibility of euthanizing this emaciated, two-year-old dog, Herriot balks. Through his fatigue he remembers when he'd given a ewe what he thought would be a lethal dose of barbiturates. The ewe slept deeply for 48 hours, then awakened and was recovered. Herriot tells Mrs. Flaxton he wants to put Penny to sleep, not euthanizing her, but to anesthetize her. The...