“I put in for two iced lattes for us and two chocolate muffins because why not, right? Should I get something for Ms. Walker?” Crystal asks, looking up from her phone as she puts in our online order. “She just always seems so lonely, doesn’t she? I mean, she has all those horses but she’s all alone in that house.”
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. “Some people are happier that way.”
I can feel Crystal’s eyes on me, and I don’t need the power to read minds to know she’s thinking like you, though it’s not true in my case. While I do prefer my solitude, I don’t want to be alone.
“And yeah, she’d like a latte. Though, she has told me before coffee is meant to be hot, not iced.”
Crystal laughs. “That sounds like something she’d say. I’ll order her one as well and then I’ll update the invoices and check in at the clinic. I’m going to be the one to tell Dr. Spencer she has to cover your next appointment, aren’t I?”
“You are, so good luck with that,” I say with a chuckle, thankful Crystal is as organized as she is. She’s my head tech and assists me on most of the farm calls, having the most experience with livestock. Our clinic has grown a lot over the years, and there’s been talk that Dr. Jerry, one of the few other vets in the area who treats large animals, is going to retire at the end of the year. I’d no doubt take on most of his clients, and the thought of doubling my workload makes my stomach churn.
Not because I don’t want the work—I do—but because I know I can’t respond to everyone at the same time, and more times than not, emergencies happen at the same time in different parts of town. I hate the idea of someone having to watch their horse colic and die because we couldn’t get there in time.
I need to hire another vet, and I’ve been struggling to find both someone I like enough to work with and who’s qualified enough to pass my high standards. That, and someone willing to take on a massive workload. It’s hard enough in this field as it is. Being stretched this thin only makes it that much harder.
Half an hour later, we arrive at Kim’s farm on the other side of Silver Ridge. The town isn’t actually that big, but with a large lake in the middle of it, driving from one end to the other can take a while since you have to go around the lake. Kim’s property butts up to the back of my own, and if I could drive straight through the woods I’d be here in only minutes.
Three dogs come running, barking and wagging their tails as the truck bumps along the gravel driveway. Kim is sitting on the porch swing out front, and waves to us.
“Oh my god.” Crystal’s hand goes to her mouth when she looks at the gray horse in the front dry lot. She’s skin and bones and you can tell from back here her hooves haven’t been done in months. “You weren’t kidding to say this was one of the worst cases you’ve seen.”
“Yeah. I’m honestly surprised the horse survived being trailered here.” I shake my head, trying to keep calm and not get pissed off again. People fucking suck, and having no legal repercussions makes it even worse. This horse was dumped off at an auction and would have been bought by a kill buyer and sent to slaughter if Kim hadn’t gone and bought what she could afford…which was more than she could afford.
Kim has been a long-time client and one I enjoy working with. She’s respectful and always thanks us, and her heart is in the right place. I’ve been discounting her bills as much as I possibly can to help her out, taking a personal loss.
“That’s the better of the two,” I tell Crystal. “Be prepared to have to put the other horse down today.” I park the truck and mentally prepare myself as well. I was here just last night administering IV fluids and medicine and would have liked to take the gelding back to the clinic with me, but he was too weak for another trailer ride along bumpy roads. I left hoping for a miracle and that one night of rest and good hay would be enough to keep him on his feet so he could come with me today.
His evaluation in just a few minutes will let me know which way to call it. If he found some strength, he’ll come with me. If not…the kindest thing to do will be to let him go peacefully.
“I hate people,” Crystal mumbles as we get out of the truck not waiting for me to respond. She knows I am silently agreeing. It’s true what they say: the more people I meet, the more I love animals. I’ve been let down by people enough in the past to keep myself guarded. It’s the ones you care about the most who can cut you the deepest.