A Triumph of Surgery

Mrs Pumphrey was a rich lady who doted on her little dog Tricki. She fed him too much and gave him extra between meals - malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to keep him healthy, as she thought.

Mrs Pumphrey was a wealthy woman who loved her small dog Tricki dearly. Unfortunately she expressed her affection through food. Tricki was never refused anything and was given extras between meals: malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep, all meant to build him up, in her view.

Tricki became listless and seemed to have no energy. He refused food, even his favourites. If he ate anything, he vomited. Mrs Pumphrey gave him extra malt and cod-liver oil, but he lay on the rug panting and looked like a bloated sausage - clearly unwell.

Tricki grew listless and appeared to have no energy. He refused even favourite dishes and vomited if he ate. Mrs Pumphrey gave him extra malt and cod-liver oil, yet he would lie on the rug, panting, looking like a bloated sausage. He was not suffering from any illness Herriot could name, but he looked seriously out of condition.

Herriot advised cutting Tricki's food and giving more exercise, but Mrs Pumphrey would not hear of it. Tricki's condition worsened. Herriot said Tricki must stay at the surgery for a fortnight under observation. Mrs Pumphrey almost swooned but agreed, sending Tricki's beds, bowls and toys.

Herriot suggested reducing food and increasing exercise, but Mrs Pumphrey would not listen. When Tricki worsened, Herriot said he should be hospitalised at the surgery for about a fortnight under observation. Mrs Pumphrey nearly fainted at the thought of separation, yet agreed. Tricki was carried in; hampers of cream cakes, chocolates and cushions followed.

Herriot kept Tricki in a warm box filled with beds and toys but gave him no food except water for two days. The other dogs at the surgery checked him, then ignored him. On the second day Tricki wanted to join their games; on the third he was out all day with them.

At the surgery Herriot provided warmth, bedding and toys but no food except water for the first two days. Other household dogs sniffed Tricki, decided he was uninteresting, and left him alone. By the second day Tricki showed interest in their activities; by the third he was in the garden with them, fighting for his share at mealtime.

Mrs Pumphrey worried and sent fresh eggs, wine and brandy for Tricki's blood. Herriot and his staff ate the eggs and drank the wine - Tricki needed no such luxuries. Herriot told her Tricki was out of danger and convalescing, but in fact the dog was already transformed.

Mrs Pumphrey telephoned daily and sent eggs, wine and brandy to enrich Tricki's blood. Herriot knew the dog needed no such treatment, yet he and his partners consumed the eggs for breakfast and the wine before lunch. He assured her Tricki was convalescing, while the little dog grew sleek and hard-muscled from exercise and normal meals.

After a fortnight Tricki was a different dog - hard-muscled and clear-eyed. Mrs Pumphrey came in a chauffeur-driven car to collect him. She thought the recovery was a triumph of surgery and could not thank Herriot enough.

In two weeks Tricki was transformed. He had been bloated and dull; now he was trim, alert and eager to play. When Mrs Pumphrey arrived in her large black car, she wept with joy. She declared it a triumph of surgery and said Herriot's skill and her love had saved Tricki.

As Mrs Pumphrey opened a fresh hamper of cream cakes, Herriot warned that Tricki must not be overfed again. He suggested a permanent diet and exercise plan. Mrs Pumphrey looked at him with tears, but Herriot was firm - the real triumph was keeping Tricki healthy after the cure.

The story ends with one last test. Mrs Pumphrey, still devoted, began to load Tricki with treats. Herriot intervened: no more rich food; regular exercise and a balanced diet were essential. Though she gazed at him tragically, he stood his ground. The triumph of surgery was complete only when Herriot won this battle of wills and protected Tricki from love that could kill.