Shep's Hobby

Shep’s Hobby

Literal Comprehension:

The narrator in the story used to visit Mr. Baile’s house as a veterinary doctor for the treatment of Mr. Baile’s cow.Mr. Bailes had a large dog ‘Shep’. It was always kept by the gate of his house. Shep had a strange habit of frightening the people whoever came to his house. He suddenly used to bark in a frightening tone whenever they would be close to him. The narrator in the story too had been terrified by the dog for so many times. Once the narrator enraged with the dog pulled it by its chain and threatened it. Since then, the dog never barked at the narrator. The narrator seeing the changed habit of the dog was pleased with the thought that the dog might have changed his habit out of his threat. Later, once the narrator was passing by the house of Mr. Bailes, a tinker was before him by the wall behind which Shep had hidden himself. All of a sudden, the dog barked terribly at the tinker and so he ran away throwing his pans and pots. The narrator seeing the dog frightening the tinker was quite happy. He was confirmed that the dog had not lost its natural habit.

Interpretation:

The story teaches some important facts about the behavior of animals. It presents the certain moral aspects as we find in other stories. It is impressive so far it talks about the natural quality and the character of the animals. It strongly speaks on the continuation of natural character of the animals and states that they should be allowed to enjoy it, lest their life and existence won’t be happy. It supports the right of animals and advocates that people be sympathetic and kind to them.

Critical Thinking:

As we go through the story, we find it quite impressive and appreciative so far it imparts the facts about animals. But still the story seems to be misleading and unconvincing in some points. The first is : Baile’s belief that his cow was cured by a postman is unbelievable since postman can’t cure the ill cow. Similarly, the narrator threatened the dog which prevented the dog from attacking him from the next time but the question arises as to whether a dog remains silent out of one’s threat.

Assimilation:

As we went through the story, it completely changed my attitude and behavior upon animals. Before I used to think that the animals are animals and should be treated accordingly. Now I came to know they have also their natural habit that is to be accepted and we should let them act according their habit. It has instigated me to take some steps to help the animals in zoo and artificial habitant to attain freedom. 

Summary

The writer was Herriot. He was frequently visiting Mr. Bailes farm because Bailes cow was sick. One day he was walking between the walls towards the farm .Where the cow was kept. He was worried about why sick cow? Suddenly the dog barked near his ears. He jumped in to the air being frightened. His heart was thumping. Then he saw the dog was running in the corner of the house. It was shep, Bail's dog. He reached the farm. The cow was not well. His medicine was not working. He planned to near cure the cow by using gastric lavage and with the help of long rubber stomach tube; He pumped the two gallons of warm water mixture in formalin and sodium chloride. He beloved that the cow would come in normal situation by this treatment. Then next morning he met Mrs. Bailes. She informs him that the cow was not well. So, he went to see the cow. When he was walking in the field. The dog again barked him unexpectedly. This time he staggered back and so frightened. He was trembling. When he reached the farm there he saw the cow was not well. So he decided to use the lavage for the last time. He added two pounds of black treacle to the mixture and pumped into the stomach of cow.
Next afternoon, He was surprised to see rose in the field .she seemed well and was cured well. She looked like a normal cow. But the farmer told him that the cow was cured by the postman. He informs the writer that the postman made the cow bun(to be pregnant) and the cow come into normal condition. According to Bailes the, Post man used t keep a few animals. So he was clever how to cure the animals? The writer become sad and when the farmer was explaining be scratched the cow's tail. The cow soiled in his hand.
He went to the farmer's house to wash his hand. Again the dog shep barked at him. That time he felt his heart stopped. The writer got angry and he grabbed the chain and began to pull. The dog didn't show any his dangerous action. But he surrendered to the writer. The writer Shook his fist under the dog's nose and threatened him furiously. Then the dog never bared at him. The writer knew that it was shep's hobby to frighten the people by barking the writer felt sorry because he snatched (try to hold on with your hand) the dog's hobby from him. But one day he saw the dog barking at the thinker and thinker ran for away being frightened throwing his pots and pans. Then the writer was satisfied because shep was still having fun with the people.