1 __ I was really worried about tricki this time. I had pulled up my car when I saw him in the street with his mistress and I was shocked at his appearance. he had became hugely fat,like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner. his eyes,bloodshot and rheumy, started straight ahead and his tongue lolled from his jaws. Mrs pumphrey hastened to explain, "he was so listless, Mr herriot. he seemed to have no energy.I thought he must be suffering from malnutrition, so I have been giving him some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of horlicks at night to make him sleep —nothing much really.""And did you cut down the sweet things as told you?""Oh, I did for a bit, but he seemed to be so weak I had to relent. does love cream cakes and chocolate so I can bear to refuse him." I look down again at the little dog. that was trouble Tricki, only fault was greed. he had never been known to refuse food." he would tackle a meal at any Hour of the day or night. And I wondered about all things Mr pumphrey had mention." Are you giving him plenty of exercise?". "well,he has his little walks with me as you can see,but Hodgkin the Gardner,has been down with lumbago , so there has been no ring-throwing lately. " I tried to sound severe:" now I really mean this if you don't cut his food right down and give him more exercise he is going to be a really ill. you must had an your heart and keep him on a very strict diet." Mrs pumphrey wrung her hand."oh I will, Mr Herriot I am sure you are right ,but it is so difficult ,so very difficult she set off ,head down ,along the road ,as if determined to put new regime new into practice immediately. I watch there progress with growing concern tricki was tottrering along in his little tweed court: he had a whole wardrobe of the coats — for the cold weather and a raincoat for the wet day.he struggled on, dropping in his harness.I thought it wouldn't be long before I heard from Mrs pumphrey. the expected call came within a few day. Mrs pumphrey was distraught.Tricki would not eat nothing. Refused even his favourite dishes;and beside he had bouts of vomiting. he is spent all his time lying on a rug painting. didn't want to go for walk didn't want to do anything.I had made my plans in advance.The only way was to get Tricki out the house of for a period.I suggested that he be hospitalised for about a fortnight to be kept under observation. The poor lady almost swooned.she was sure he would pine and die I if we did not see her every day. But I took a firm line. Tricki was very ill and this was the only way to save him; in fact I thought it best to take him without delay and followed by Mrs pumphrey wailings, I marched out to the carrying the little dog wrapped in a blanket. the entire staff was roused and maids Rushed in and out bringing his day bed his night bed,favourite cushions toy and Rubber rings breakfast bowl, lunch bowl ,Supper Bowl realising that my car would never hold all the stuff,I started to drive away. As I mood off,Mrs pumphrey,with a despairing cry,through and harmful of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror before I turned the corner of the drive;everyday was in tears. out on the road,I glanced down at the pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and tricky made a brave effort to wage his tail."poor and old ." I said :"you haven't kick in you but I know a cure for you." At the surgery the household dog surged around me Tricki looked down at the noisy pack will dull eyes,and when put down Lay motionless on the carpet.The Other dog, after sniffing round him for a few seconds, decided he was and un interesting object and ignored him. I made up of bad for him in a one loose box next to the one where the other dog slept for two days I kept an eye on him, giving him no food but plenty of water.At the end of the second day he started to show some interest in his surroundings and on the third he began to whimper when he heard the dogs in the yard. when I open the door tricky trotted out and his immediately engulfed by joe, the Greyhound, and his friends.After rolling him over and throughly inspecting him, the dog moved off down the garden. Trcki followed them rolling slightly with his surplus fat. latter that day, I was present at feeding time. I watched while Tristan slopped the food into the bowls. There was the usual headlong rush followed by the sounds of high speed eating; every dog knew that if he fell behind the others He was liable to have some competition for the last part of his meal. when they had finished,Tricki took a walk round the shining bowls licking casually inside one or two of them. Next day, an extra bowl was put out for him and I was pleased to see him jostlings his was toward it. from them on,his progress was Rapid. he had no medical treatment of any kind but all day the rain about with the dog,joining in their friendly scrimmages.He discovered the joy of behind bowled over,tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object among the Shaggy crew ,fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes and hunting rats in the old hen– house at night. he had never had such a time in his life. All the while Mrs pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background ringing a dozen times a day for the latest Bulletins. I dodged the question about whether his cushions were being turned regularly or his correct coat worn according to the weather; but I was able to tell her that the little fellow was out of danger and convalescing rapidly . The word "convalescing"seemed to do something to Mrs pumphrey from she started to bring round fresh eggs,two dozen at time, to build up Tricky strength.for a happy period my partner and I had to egg each for breakfast,but when the bottle of wine began to arrive the real possibility of the situation begin to down on the household.it was enrich Tricky blood lunch became ceremonial occasion with two glasses of one before and several during the meal. we could Hardly believe it when the brandy came to put a final edge on Tricky constitution. For a few Nights the fine spirit was rolled around,inhaled and recently drunk. they were days of the deep contact,starting well with the extra egg in the morning, improved and sustained by the midday wine and finishing luxuriously round the fire with the brandy. it was a temptation to keep tricki on as a permanent guest, but I knew Mrs pumphrey was suffering and after a fortnight, felt compelled to phone and tell her that the little dog had recovered and was waiting collection. within minute about 30 feet of gleaming Black metal draw up outside the surgery. The Chauffer open the door and I could just make out the figure of Mrs pumphrey almost lost in the interior. her handd were tightly clasped in the front of her;lips trembled."Oh, Mr herriot,tell me the truth is he really better?" "yes,he fine. there no need for you to get out of the car—I'll go and fetch him." I walk through the house into the garden. A mass of dog was hurtling round and round the lawn and in there midst, air flapping, tail waving, was the little golden figure of tricky. In two weeks he had been transformed into a lithe, hard-musle animal;his chest almost brushing the ground . I carried him back along the passage to the front of the houses. the chauffeur was still holding the car door open and when Tricky saw his mistress he took off my arms in a tremendous leap and sailed into Mrs pumphrey lap. she gave a started "ooh!"and then had to defend herself as he swarmed over her, licking her face and barking.During the excitement. I helped the chauffeur to bring out the beds , toys cushion , courts and bowls none of which had been used. As the car moved away, Mr s pumphrey leaned out of the window. Tears shone in her eyes. Her lips trembled. "oh, Mr Herriot, "she cried,"how can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!".