What would you have done if you were in the narrator's place?
If I were in the narrator's place, I would have acted similarly but perhaps been even firmer with Mrs Pumphrey right from the beginning. The narrator showed great common sense and tact by taking Tricki to the surgery and keeping him on a strict diet — giving him no food but plenty of water for two days. This practical approach helped Tricki recover naturally.
However, I would have been more assertive in warning Mrs Pumphrey about the dangers of overfeeding. The narrator tried to sound severe but Mrs Pumphrey still couldn't resist indulging Tricki. I would have firmly refused to return Tricki until Mrs Pumphrey promised to follow the regime strictly.
Like the narrator, I would have provided a warm, comfortable environment and let Tricki interact with other dogs, as this natural companionship helped him regain his energy and lithe body.
Explanation
This question tests the student's ability to empathize with the narrator and suggest what they would do differently or similarly. The narrator (Mr Herriot) showed practical wisdom by removing Tricki from his indulgent environment, putting him on a strict diet, and allowing natural recovery through companionship with other dogs. A good answer should reference these key actions from the text while demonstrating personal reflection.