We have seen innumerable animal memoirs from veterinarians, horse trainers, dog lovers, and cat fanciers, but the stories of animals and their owners by James Herriot—based on his decades of experience as a vet in rural Yorkshire—are unsurpassed for their wit and warmth. If you have ever loved an animal, or a human for that matter, these books will touch your heart.

In this omnibus of James Herriot's first two books—published in Britain as If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972)—we meet the young Herriot as he discovers that the realities of veterinary practice are far removed from the sterile setting of his training. From traveling to remote homesteads in the depths of winter to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot describes the challenges of his practice with humor, compassion, and keen observation.