As a toddler I was fascinated by animals. I loved them all. I lived on a farm. I was lucky in that I found schoolwork easy, and I obtained good results. I was a good athlete and made friends easily. I managed to get a place at Bristol University to study veterinary science. Then my troubles started. I could only get jobs to work with pets, but I wanted to work with all animals. With a considerable amount of luck, I got a position in the Highlands of Kenya, just before independence, to work as a sole practitioner and be my own boss. A wonderful life opened up ahead of me.