James Herriot (1916–1995) is the pen name of Alfred Wight, who was a practicing veterinarian in rural England. This story is taken from All Things Wise and Wonderful, one of Herriot's immensely popular books about his experiences as a Yorkshire veterinarian. His other books include All Creatures Great and Small, which was made into a television series, and The Lord God Made Them All. Herriot began writing at the prompting of his friends. They encouraged him to write a book based on his experiences as a veterinary surgeon of over 40 years. After two publishers turned him down, the third accepted. His books are now printed in 26 languages and sell in the millions. In March 1999, a new state of the art visitor's center called "The World of James Herriot" opened in the Hambleton District of England as a tribute to the "world's most famous vet." You can visit the Hambleton's Herriot Country site online at http://www.hambleton.gov.uk/ .