It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet Read online

say "Have a care, chum', but his claws were sheathed.

  My next visit was less than a month later and was in response to an

  urgent summons from Mrs. Broadwith at six o'clock in the evening. Ben

  had collapsed. I jumped straight into my car and in less than ten

  minutes was threading my way through the overgrown grass in the front

  garden with the animals watching from their window. The barking broke

  out as I knocked, but Ben's was absent. As I went into the little room I

  saw the old dog Lying on his side, very still, by the bed.

  DOA is what we write in the day book. Dead on arrival. Just three words

  but they covered all kinds of situations - the end of milk fever cows,

  bloated bullocks, calves in fits. And tonight they meant that I wouldn't

  be clipping old Ben's claws any more.

  It wasn't often these nephritis cases went off so suddenly but his urine

  albumen had been building up dangerously lately.

  "Well, it was quick, Miss Stubbs. I'm sure the old chap didn't suffer at

  all." My words sounded lame and ineffectual.

  The old lady was in full command of herself. No tears, only a fixity of

  expression as she looked down from the bed at her companion for so many

  years. My idea was to get him out of the place as quickly as possible

  and I pulled a blanket under him and lifted him up. As I was moving

  away, Miss Stubbs said, "Wait a moment." With an effort she turned on to

  her side and gazed at Ben. Still without changing expression, she

  reached out and touched his head lightly. Then she lay back calmly as I

  hurried from the room.

  In the back kitchen I had a whispered conference with Mrs. Broadwith.

  "I'll run down "'village and get Fred Manners to come and bury him," she

  said. "And if you've got the time could you stay with the old lady while

  I'm gone. Talk to her, like, it'll do her good."

  I went back and sat down by the bed. Miss Stubbs looked out of the

  window for a few moments then turned to me. "You know, Mr. Herriot," she

  said casually. "It will be my turn next."

  "What do you mean."

  "Well, tonight Ben has gone and I'm going to be the next one. I just

  know it."

  "Oh, nonsense! You're feeling a bit low, that's all. We all do when

  something like this happens." But I was disturbed. I had never heard her

  even hint at such a thing before.

  "I'm not afraid," she said. "I know there's something better waiting for

  me. I've never had any doubts." There was silence between us as she lay

  calmly looking up at the card on the gas bracket.

  Then the head on the pillow turned to me again. "I have only one fear."

  Her expression changed with startling suddenness as if a mask had

  dropped. The brave face was almost unrecognisable. A kind of terror

  flickered in her eyes and she quickly grasped my hand.

  "It's my dogs and cats, Mr. Herriot. I'm afraid I might never see them

  when I'm gone and it worries me so. You see, I know I'll be reunited

  with my parents and my brothers but ... but ..."

  "Well, why not with your animals."

  "That's just it." She rocked her head on the pillow and for the first

  time I saw tears on her cheeks. "They say animals have no souls."

  "Who says."

  "Oh, I've read it and I know a lot of religious people believe it."

  "Well I don't believe it." I patted the hand which still grasped mine.

  "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and

  gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You've

  nothing to worry about there."

  "Oh, I hope you're right. Sometimes I lie at night thinking about it."

  "I know I'm right, Miss Stubbs, and don't you argue with me. They teach

  us vets all about animals' souls."

  The tension left her face and she laughed with a return of her old

  spirit. "I'm sorry to bore you with this and I'm not going to talk about

  it again. But before you go, I want you to be absolutely honest with me.

  I don't want reassurance from you - just the truth. I know you are very

  young but please tell me - what are your beliefs? Will my animals go

  with me."

  She stared intently into my eyes. I shifted in my chair and swallowed

  once or twice.

  "Miss Stubbs, I'm afraid I'm a bit foggy about all this," I said. "But

  I'm absolutely certain of one thing. Wherever you are going, they are

  going too."

  She still stared at me but her face was calm again. "Thank you, Mr.

  Herriot, I know you are being honest with me. That is what you really

  believe, isn't it."

  "I do believe it," I said. "With all my heart I believe it."

  It must have been about a month later and it was entirely by accident

  that I learned I had seen Miss Stubbs for the last time. When a lonely,

  penniless old ,_ _

  1 I`J woman dies people don't rush up to you in the street to tell you.

  I was on my rounds and a farmer happened to mention that the cottage in

  Corby village was up for sale.

  "But what about Miss Stubbs?" I asked.

  "Oh, went off sudden about three weeks ago. House is in a bad state,

  they say - nowt been done at it for years."

  "Mrs. Broadwith isn't staying on, then."

  "Nay, I hear she's staying at t'other end of village."

  "Do you know what's happened to the dogs and cats."

  "What dogs and cats."

  I cut my visit short. And I didn't go straight home though it was nearly

  lunch time. Instead I urged my complaining little car at top speed to

  Corby and asked the first person I saw where Mrs. Broadwith was living.

  It was a tiny house but attractive and Mrs. Broadwith answered my knock

  herself.

  "Oh, come in, Mr. Herriot. It's right good of you to call." I went

  inside and we sat facing each other across a scrubbed table top.

  "Well, it was sad about the old lady," she said.

  "Yes, I've only just heard."

  "Any road, she had a peaceful end. Just slept away at finish."

  "I'm glad to hear that."

  Mrs. Broadwith looked round the room. "I was real lucky to get this

  place it' s just what I've always wanted."

  I could contain myself no longer. "What's happened to the animals?" I

  blurted out.

  "Oh, they're in "'garden," she said calmly. "I've got a grand big

  stretch at back." She got up and opened the door and with a surge of

  relief I watched my old friends pour in.

  Arthur was on my knee in a flash, arching himself ecstatically against

  my arm while his outboard motor roared softly above the barking of the

  dogs. Prince, wheezy as ever, tail fanning the air, laughing up at me

  delightedly between barks.

  "They look great, Mrs. Broadwith. How long are they going to be here."

  "They're here for good. I think just as much about them as t'old lady

  ever did and I couldn't be parted from them. They'll have a good home

  with me as long as they live."

  I looked at the typical Yorkshire country face, at the heavy cheeks with

  their grim lines belied by the kindly eyes. "This is wonderful," I said.

  "But won't you find it just a bit ... er ... expensive to feed them."

  "Nay you don't have to worry about that. I 'ave a bit put'away."

  "W