"Shep's Hobby" Synopsis

EXAMPLE 1:

The writer, an English country veterinarian, visits a farmer who has the misfortune to have one of the cows in his small herd of ten fall ill. On this particular occasion, the vet is badly startled by the farmer's dog who barks furiously just as he is passing by. This incident is just the latest; Shep has made a hobby of trying to scare the wits out of this man at every opportunity, but this time he really succeeds. After pulling himself together, the writer proceeds to attend to the ailing cow. No matter what he does however, the cow's health continues to decline. Finally, the vet uses his favorite and most drastic technique in an effort to help the cow. Returning to the farm a short time later, he starts off through the field to speak with the farmer and as he walks, the smells and quiet of the meadow mesmerize him. Suddenly, all is sound and fury as Shep leaps in front of him, barking madly. Heart pumping furiously, the vet continues toward the farm where he is delighted to see that the cow has made a speedy recovery. He congratulates himself only to have his ego deflated when the farmer calmly tells him that the postman, of all people, gave him the proper advice that led to the cow's comeback. The vet listens to this as he absentmindedly scratches the cow's tail, soiling his hand in the process. With the farmer's consent, he heads to the farmhouse to wash his hands only to be waylaid once again by Shep. Already low in spirits, the vet's nerves snap and he goes after the big collie. Dragging the dog by chain to him, he berates the animal loud and long. Chastened, Shep tucks his tail and slinks away to the safety of his kennel. While he is relieved that the dog has learned not to startle him any longer, the writer feels badly that he has deprived Shep of his amusement. But, later that summer as he finds himself near the farm again, he waits at a distance and watches while an unsuspecting peddler is set upon by the dog. Satisfied that Shep still has his hobby, the vet continues on through his day.

EXAMPLE 2

This charming first person account of an English veterinarian relates a tale of a small time farmer and his dog, Shep. The vet is summoned to treat Rose, one of the farmer's ailing cows. He is unnerved by Shep's timed leap and barking during his approach to the farmer. This, as we shall see, is Shep's modus operandi - Shep's " hobby."

Our vet renders several unsuccessful remedies on the ailing bovine. Stymied, he resorts to administering his most powerful potion to Rose. A follow-up visit to the farmer triggers another ambush by Shep. Regaining his composure, our vet renews his trek toward the farm. He's pleasantly surprised to see Rose is feeling better. His victory smile is short-lived, however, when the farmer informs him that the local postman effected Rose's cure.

Adding insult to injury, our disheartened vet discovers his hands were dirtied while scratching Rose. He receives the farmer's permission to wash up in the farmer's house. Of course, Shep is lurking in the shadows and executes yet another ambush on our already troubled vet. Enough is enough! Yanking the oversized collie's tether, he administers a severe scolding and threatens the now subservient animal.

Over time, our vet is consoled to find that Shep heeded his message. He discovered, however, that his victory was hollow. There's simply no joy - no satisfaction - in bullying Shep, a mere animal. Indeed, he could only lament over the hurt Shep suffered at his hands. He stripped Shep of his happiness - his "hobby." He wholeheartedly regrets his one-time impetuous action.

But wait - all is not lost! Our vet's burden of guilt is lifted when, later that season, he spies the village tinkerer approaching the farmer's --and Shep's -- house. With all the reliability of Old Faithful, Shep happily dispatches the tinkerer who soon disappears from the vet's view.

Our vet now knows that life in the peaceful English village is exactly as it should be.