What would you have done if you were: (i) a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey's household, (ii) a neighbour? What would your life have been like, in general?
What would you have done if you were a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey's household?
If I were a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey's household, I would have strictly followed the vet's advice and cut down on Tricki's food. Despite Mrs Pumphrey's indulgent nature, I would have refused to give him cream cakes and chocolates and stopped the extras like malt, cod-liver oil, and Horlicks. I would have also ensured he got proper exercise through ring-throwing and walks, even when Hodgkin, the gardener, was unwell. My life would have been quite stressful, constantly caught between the mistress's foolish indulgence and what was actually right for the dog's health.
What would you have done if you were a neighbour?
If I were a neighbour, I would have advised Mrs Pumphrey to follow Mr Herriot's strict instructions regarding Tricki's diet and exercise. I would have offered to help with Tricki's walks and exercise to ensure he stayed healthy. My life in general would have been filled with witnessing her silly and foolishly indulgent behaviour, watching her pamper the dog with wardrobes of coats and excessive treats. It would be frustrating yet somewhat understandable, as her actions likely stemmed from loneliness.
Explanation
The question requires students to empathise with different positions relative to Mrs Pumphrey and reflect on her indulgent behaviour. As staff, one would face the direct challenge of balancing the mistress's emotional demands with the pet's actual welfare needs — she couldn't bear to refuse Tricki and relented on cutting sweets. As a neighbour, one would observe this foolish indulgence from outside and could offer practical help. The context clearly shows Mrs Pumphrey's loneliness drives her overindulgence, making life around her both exasperating and pitiable.