Class 10 English — Footprints Without Feet · Chapter 1 NotesA Triumph of Surgery

The narrator, a veterinary surgeon named Mr Herriot, sees Tricki in the street and is shocked. The small dog has become hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner. His eyes are bloodshot and rheumy, and his tongue hangs out. Mrs Pumphrey explains that Tricki was listless and had no energy, so she gave him extra treats between meals: malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night. She also admits she could not refuse him cream cakes and chocolates. The narrator warns her to cut down Tricki's food and give him more exercise, but Mrs Pumphrey finds it very difficult to be strict.

• Tricki's symptomsobesity, bloodshot eyes, listlessness, no energy.
• Mrs Pumphrey's 'extras'malt, cod-liver oil, Horlicks, cream cakes, chocolates.
• The narrator's advicestrict diet and more exercise.

Within a few days, Mrs Pumphrey calls the narrator in a distraught state. Tricki refuses all food, even his favourite dishes, and has bouts of vomiting. He lies on a rug all day, panting, and does not want to go for walks. The narrator had already planned his course of action: the only way to save Tricki is to take him away from his home for about a fortnight and keep him under observation. Mrs Pumphrey is terrified that Tricki will pine and die without her, but the narrator insists it is the only way. He carries the little dog out, wrapped in a blanket, while the entire household staff weeps.

• Tricki's condition worsensvomiting, refusal to eat, inactivity.
• The narrator's planhospitalise Tricki for a fortnight.
• Mrs Pumphrey's emotional reactionshe fears Tricki will die without her.

At the surgery, Tricki is placed in a warm loose box next to the other dogs. For two days the narrator gives him no food but plenty of water. By the third day, Tricki shows interest in his surroundings and whimpers when he hears the other dogs. When let out, he is engulfed by Joe, the greyhound, and the pack. He begins to follow them, rolling with his surplus fat. At feeding time, he watches the other dogs eat and then licks the empty bowls. The next day, an extra bowl is put out for him, and he jostles his way towards it. From then on, his recovery is rapid. He runs, plays, fights for his share of food and even hunts rats. He has no medicinal treatment at all.

• First two daysno food, only water.
• Third dayTricki shows interest in the other dogs.
• Rapid recovery through exercise, competition for food and playful scrimmages.

While Tricki is at the surgery, Mrs Pumphrey rings a dozen times a day for updates. The narrator dodges questions about cushions and coats, but tells her that Tricki is out of danger and convalescing rapidly. The word 'convalescing' prompts Mrs Pumphrey to send fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up Tricki's strength. Soon bottles of wine arrive to enrich his blood, and then brandy to put a final edge on his constitution. The narrator and his partners enjoy the eggs, wine and brandy, and are tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest. But the narrator knows Mrs Pumphrey is suffering, so after a fortnight he phones her to say Tricki has recovered.

• Mrs Pumphrey's giftseggs, wine, brandy — meant for Tricki but enjoyed by the staff.
• The narrator's temptation to keep Tricki permanently.
• He finally calls Mrs Pumphrey to collect Tricki.

Mrs Pumphrey arrives in a long gleaming car. She is almost lost in the interior, her hands clasped and lips trembling. The narrator assures her that Tricki is fine and goes to fetch him. In the garden, a mass of dogs is hurtling around the lawn, and in their midst is Tricki — transformed into a lithe, hard-muscled animal, keeping up with the pack in great bounds. The narrator carries him to the car. Tricki leaps from his arms into Mrs Pumphrey's lap, licking her face and barking. The chauffeur brings out the unused beds, toys, cushions, coats and bowls. As the car moves away, Mrs Pumphrey leans out with tears in her eyes and cries, 'Oh, Mr Herriot, how can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!'

• Tricki's transformationfrom bloated sausage to lithe, hard-muscled dog.
• The unused luxuriesbeds, toys, cushions, coats, bowls.
• Mrs Pumphrey's ironic praise'a triumph of surgery'.

The title 'A Triumph of Surgery' is ironic. No surgery was performed on Tricki. He was cured not by a scalpel but by a simple, natural routine: no food for two days, plenty of water, then a controlled diet and vigorous exercise with other dogs. The narrator's method was based on common sense and an understanding of animal nature. Mrs Pumphrey, however, believes that the cure was a medical miracle. The story thus satirises the rich who confuse indulgence with love and who fail to see that their own actions cause harm. The narrator remains tactful, never openly mocking Mrs Pumphrey, but the humour lies in the gap between her perception and the reality.

• No actual surgery was performed.
• The cure was discipline, exercise and natural living.
• The title is ironic and highlights Mrs Pumphrey's misunderstanding.