Dear Mr. James Herriot,

My name is Rebecca Kahoe; I am 14 and live in Alaska. I was first introduced to your books when I was very young, and my mother read to me the children’s book Only One Woof. I loved this story because of the way the two dots, which hadn’t been together since they were puppies, recognized each other, and the dog who had never uttered a sound barked once upon seeing his old friend. Later, my mother suggested I read All Creatures Great and Small. So, I started it, and halfway through the first story, I put it down with a cringe. You wrote about the possible options you considered, one of which was embryotomy; sawing off the head and legs and taking the calf out in multiple parts. This was too much for me, and I put the book away in a corner of my shelf. I did not give it a second glance for almost three years.

Then, in December of 2012, my dad, my brother and I were going on a winter camping trip. While packing, I realized I was missing one very important item. I did not have a book to read. What was I going to do? Then my eye fell upon a long forgotten book, All Creatures Great and Small, hidden on the edge of my shelf. I packed it because I had nothing else. Besides, I thought, maybe I would enjoy it now that I was older. Sure enough, I loved it! Maybe it was because I was older, but more likely it was just that I took the time to think about what you were showing your reader.

Once I got past the cow story, I realized your stories were not only about being a vet, but also about gratitude, hard work, love, and friendship. I live around farm animals and know how deep a bond there can be between a person and an animal. I also know just how you felt, traveling the country and feeling lucky to live where you do. Alaska is the most beautiful place I know, and every day I feel blessed to live here. The way you describe your life makes me want to become a vet.

I love your books because of the simplicity of them, and yet they are some of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. An example would be the story about Amber, the forgotten golden spaniel puppy who had found a home with the nuns. They brought her in when they noticed all the fur around her ears disappearing and being replaced with a disgusting, crusty scab. You realized it was a type of mange, and thought it would be simple to treat. Amber was a beautiful, friendly dog. When she did not get better, and the disease spread over the rest of her body, you began to worry. Since veterinary methods failed to work, you resorted to some “quack” medicines. Nothing helped Amber, and knowing she would only get worse, you put her down. To me this was the saddest story. I felt certain that you could save her, but when you could not it broke my heart. I had grown to love Amber too. This story reminded me of a time when I was in first grade. I had a little bantam hen named Dory. Dory had lived with us for about three years, and she was the sweetest chicken ever. She even rode on the handlebars of my tricycle! Then on the last day of first grade, I came home from school, and went to find Dory. All I found was the scattering of feathers around the chicken pen. A raven had gotten in and had taken the most wonderful chicken in the world away from me. So, you see, I understand that death is a part of life, and that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t save everything you love.

Your books really made me experience how you felt, and helped me imagine what your life was like. You encouraged me to appreciate the small things in life. Reading your books changed my perspective and showed me that stereotypes are meaningless, because no person or animal is the same. Thank you for being such a wonderful author.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Kahoe