Today Is The Birthday Of ....

It's the birthday of the veterinarian and author James Herriot, born James Alfred Wight in Sunderland, England (1916), who became a veterinarian in rural Yorkshire and loved it so much that he decided to write a book about it. He spent 25 years making plans for the book, but didn't start writing it until the day his wife told him that he never would. He went out and bought some paper that same day, published two books in two years, If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972), and they became best-sellers when they were packaged together as one volume called All Creatures Great and Small (1972).

James Herriot said, "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans." In the words of the Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz) ... AIN'T IT THE TRUTH !!

This particular storybook by James Herriot is a favorite in our house - the story of Moses The Kitten.

This book is wonderful reading for young and old alike, filled to the brim with many wonderful tales of Herriot's life as a county vet. The characters are so well formed - you feel that you almsot KNOW them personally. And the scenery is described so well that you can nearly feel the wind on your face as the little car speeds along the dusty roads.

And finally, this book, as well as the collection of Dog stories, is a favorite of our older children. They read and read this book again and again, enjoying it even more each time.

I also read a book (from the library) that was actually about the REAL James Herriot (James Wight), and was written by his son. It is the very touching story of his life, from his childhood to his last days. It also includes much more information about each of the "characters" (human) included in the books Dr. Herriot wrote through the years, and some stories that never made it into book form. A wonderful read indeed !!

We have heard mention that there was a television show based on All Creatures Great And Small, however we have never seen it. But if anyone knows where to find some of the episodes on DVD, please do let us know. We would LOVE to see the program.