Rab and his Friends

[1] "Rab and His Friends" is a simple story which includes an insight into how John Brown's teacher and employer, Doctor James Syme, taught and operated.

Set in Edinburgh in the 1830s, the story begins with a fight between Rab and a bull terrier which Brown, the narrator, watches as a teenage boy.

Six years later, Brown is a medical student at Minto House Hospital and has maintained a friendship with Rab and James, the laconic carrier.

One day, James arrives at the hospital with his wife Allie, who is found to have advanced breast cancer.

A chance meeting between Brown and the new owner reveals that Rab the dog had to be killed, because he wouldn't let anybody near the horse out of loyalty to James.