Northerner lives near Farndale and is a wonderful storyteller: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/492860/ She has also included a link that shows pictures of Herriot's old stomping grounds.
Anybody a James Herriot fan?
I love James Herriot. Read all of his books when I was younger. Since I am an animal lover, they were always special stories for me. He was so funny too!
Must admit he was a favorite of mine as well Donna. I'm sure I picked up most of his books and also found they were very welcome gifts with the farmers in the family.
Pam,
Thanks so much for this link. Northerner is a great storyteller. The story and the photos on the Farndale daffodil walk page took me right back to tramping the country roads in Scotland on a vacation years ago. I can still hear the gentle "munch, munch" of the sheep pulling the grass from the ground.
I've read most of James Herriott's books too, and loved the television series...what was it, 20 years ago? Maybe it will come back on on cable some day. Also found a nice picture book at a 2nd-hand bookstore a few years ago, called "James Herriot's Yorkshire". Lovely photographs.
Sigh.... I have the urge to go travelling now! :-)
Shannon
I felt the same way when I followed her jaunt and saw the accompanying pictures Shannon. ;)
I've all four books in the series and re-read them too! He has such a way with words and his dry wit -- awesome! I grew up on a farm and wanted to be a vet so .... :)
Hey Laura.........I wonder how many went to Vet's college because of his stories? I know my brother seriously considered it, because of Herriot, for quite awhile too.
Well, I planned to go to the University of Guelph's vet program but my guidance counselor said not to bother applying, since I didn't have straight As. Later, my mom found out she lied and mom was mad about it for years! My dad always told stories about me operating on the cat with the quills, getting in the middle of dog fights etc, etc. mom helped! lol He embelished it some too ...LOL So I went to college in Iowa and never left !?!
Laura, maybe you still could.....it's never too late to go back to school ... ;-)
The University of Saskatchewan has an excellent vet program as well. If I'm not mistaken, theirs and Guelph's are the only two in Canada - ? Perhaps there's one in the maritimes as well.
I always get a hoot out of those reality-vet shows on Animal Planet. Some of those situations look quite stressful for all concerned.
Shannon
No, I don't think so - I might take a 2 year vet tech program tho. I don't have the time, money or memory for vet school. lol The closest here would be at Iowa State and that's 4 hrs. away. So, not gonna happen!
I catch Animal Planet some too - and sometimes diagree with animals they work to save - think it wld be more humane to put some of them down - not getting on a soapbox here, just see animals that cannot understand or handle pain. :)
That's a shame that that "guidance counselor" altered your career plans, Laura. Sounds like you would have made one heck of a Vet. I have reread James Herriot over the years as well. As you said, his dry wit was so charming in his stories.
if it wasn't true then, it certainly is now. no one with a gpa of less than 8 need apply. it is tougher to gain admission to one of our few vet schools than it is to be accepted to med school
I've heard that also - the companion animal trend has exploded - also many more women going to vet school. It isn't just for farmers and ranchers anymore.
I wonder if large-animal veterinary expertise is suffering as a result of the companion animal popularity?
oh, that's an interesting thought - wonder if our resident vet knows anything about that.