The author, a veterinarian and writer, tells the story of a young veterinarian who, upon completing his degree, receives an offer from a veterinarian established in Yorkshire. Upon arrival, there is no formal interview; instead, he accompanies the senior veterinarian on several visits to attend to animals in the area.
Young Herriot discovers that his life will not be what he had imagined, after hearing accounts of assistants who performed many tasks in exchange for room and board. He soon adapts to the duties of his profession. As the title suggests, he is responsible for treating cows and horses, as well as other animals such as dogs, and even a pig that a woman adopts as a pet.
The author describes, with a fine sense of humor, the difficulties he encounters until he is accepted by farmers who are initially suspicious of his youth. The arrival of his boss’s younger brother alters the relationships; the young man is lazy and irresponsible. The strong character of the older brother is handled by the younger one with skill.
When Herriot falls in love and decides to get married, staying in the region becomes certain, as his fiancée wants the same.
The kindness of the narrative does not omit the difficulties arising from human relationships linked to work, a profession that requires an almost total availability seven days a week, at any hour. So much so that Herriot and Helen’s honeymoon ends up being replaced by urgent examinations of cows in the region.
The natural distrust of farmers is common in that place and elsewhere. At the same time, when they place their trust in someone, the relationship becomes close.
The only date mentioned in the story is 1938, but there is no reference to the Second World War, perhaps because its only aim is the narrative itself. The same author wrote another book set during that war.