The Yorkshire Vet returns to Channel 5 this evening (Thursday, August 13) at 8pm, with series 23 opening on a poignant note. The long-running programme, broadcast since 2015, follows vets Peter Wright and Julian Norton as they care for animals at their North Yorkshire practices.
Memorial Garden for Lost Pets
The opening episode sees Peter establish a memorial garden dedicated to pets that have passed away. In a trailer, a voiceover said: "Across Yorkshire's moors and dales, James Herriot's work established him as the world's most famous vet. Just as he'll always be remembered, so will the animals we love. The Yorkshire Vet team who follow in Herriot's footsteps, and other like-minded souls who spend every day helping animals, are coming together for a mission born out of passion."
The voiceover continued: "They've always guided pet owners through the toughest times. Now, they want to help them move on when their four-legged friends are gone, with the vision of spreading their message far and wide, because devotion to all creatures great and small lasts forever."
Inspiration from Sussex
Peter's journey takes him to Sussex, where he meets the nation's first animal chaplain and visits her church's pet memorial garden. This inspires him to create a similar space in Yorkshire, at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, which houses props from All Creatures Great and Small.
Peter told Wales Online: "For years, I've considered people. I've always tried to put myself, as a veterinary surgeon, into our client's shoes. When they come in to have an animal put to sleep, and I've used this phrase many times, that I suppose you would call it anticipatory grief."
He added: "You know what's coming as a pet owner. You can prepare yourself, but you're never ready for it. I think of those people going back home again. They left home with their pet that day, they're going back home now to a house that's not a home anymore. It's soulless. Even if you have other pets there, they've lost that particular one."
Tribute to Herkules
The episode also features farmers Rob and Dave paying tribute to their late shire horse, Herkules. They had previously warned viewers on Instagram: "Have your tissues ready for the upcoming new series of @yorkshirevetc5 - we appear on the special episode on Thursday (August 13) with a very special tribute to our shire horse Herkules."
Rob had earlier announced Herkules' passing on Facebook, writing: "It's really difficult to take in, heartbreaking is an easy word to say, but we just can't believe it. He had everything going for him. I never thought we'd have an animal like him."
The Yorkshire Vet airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5.
