Mrs Donovan's Dog - Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards featuring key characters, terminology, idioms, and concepts from the extract 'Mrs Donovan's Dog' by James Herriot.

Mrs Donovan

An old, eccentric lady in Darrowby admired for her profound love and concern for animals, known for administering her own remedies without charging for her advice or nursing.

Darrowby

The town in which Mrs Donovan roamed the streets daily, attended local events, and visited the veterinary practice.

Keep abreast of events

A phrase meaning to stay updated or informed about ongoing occurrences.

Condition powders

One of Mrs Donovan's miracle-working specialties prepared to improve a dog's health and coat.

Patent nostrums

Ineffective or questionable medicines or remedies prepared by an unqualified person.

Rex

Mrs Donovan's faithful terrier dog who died from a massive internal hemorrhage after slipping his collar and being run over by a car in front of the school on Cliffend Road.

Ruptured liver

The severe injury suffered by Rex when a car wheel ran directly over him, causing fatal internal bleeding.

Inspector Halliday

An inspector from the RSPCA who investigated the severe animal cruelty case involving a neglected dog trapped in a shed.

RSPCA

Royal Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Emaciation

Extreme thinness caused by starvation; demonstrated by the neglected dog whose pelvis, face, and rib cage stood out clearly.

Throw the book

An idiomatic expression meaning to punish somebody severely or to the full extent of the law.

Roy

A golden retriever rescued from extreme emaciation and neglect in a wooden shed, who was nursed back to full health and beauty by Mrs Donovan.

James Herriot

A British writer and veterinary surgeon (October 3, 1916 - February 23, 1995) who wrote semi-autobiographical books about his experiences as a vet.

Let Sleeping Vets Lie

The book by James Herriot from which the extract 'Mrs Donovan's Dog' is taken.

All Creatures Great and Small

The collective name for James Herriot's series of semi-autobiographical books about his veterinary experiences and animal owners.