Ty's Sunday (Chincoteague and Assateague Islands mission)
The Saturday night redeye landed in Norfolk just before 6 am Sunday morning. Carrying vet bags and backpacks, the four bleary eyed men made their way to the airport exit. A toned twenty-something, wearing navy cargo pants, navy half zip shirt and black shoes, stood there, almost at attention, holding piece of paper with BARNES scrawled across it in magic marker.
Michael approached. "Excuse me. Are you waiting for Michael Barnes?"
"Yes sir, Dr. Barnes. I'm Trevor Dunn. Chief sent me."
"Nice to meet you, Trevor. Michael. Thanks for coming so early." He offered his hand which Trevor shook. "Let me introduce you to the team." He turned slightly towards Ty. "This is Dr. Ty Borden. And our vet students, Henry Alt and David Hudson."
Trevor shook each hand. "All set then? Truck's in the parking lot." He pointed towards the sliding doors leading to the outside where the morning sky was still dark.
Walking through the doors, the air, already a warm 75 degrees, embraced them as Trevor wadded the paper sign, threw it in the garbage can.
He led the group to an older, but immaculately kept Ford 150 extended cab, a fire engine red, with both a Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and a Chincoteague Emergency Medical Services decal on the back glass. He lifted the black bed cover. "Put your bags in here."
Baggage stowed, Trevor got behind the steering wheel, buckled up, while the others got in the back seat, except Michael who took the front passenger spot.
"All set?" Trevor said, not expecting a reply as he turned the key, starting the engine, then backed out of the parking space.
"How long is the trip?" Someone asked from the backseat.
"Couple hours. Give or take." A country song, barely audible, played on the radio. Exiting the airport grounds, turning on to Norview Avenue, Trevor informed the group. "Gonna stop at Wendy's for coffee. Y'all want anything?"
Resounding yeses ruled.
After a quick stop, the men were back on the road, eating their breakfast in relative silence, the music the only exception. Swallowing the last bite of his egg and bacon biscuit, Michael then asked. "So, Trevor. How long have you been a volunteer firefighter?"
"Officially? Eight months. I got my EMT last December and started with Chincoteague Emergency Services." He said, pride touching the corner of his mouth. "Fire and emergency are housed together. So it's a twofer."
"Congratulations. So, everything you hoped?"
"Absolutely. Wanted this since I was a kid. Most of us did."
"Because of the Pony Penning?"
"Well, that, but mostly Chief would do these demonstrations at school. First, it was the basic stop, drop and roll. Later, extinguishers, hoses and Resusci Annies. When we got to actually light then extinguish a fire, I was hooked."
"It's good to have a calling so early in life. So, what's it like? Being in emergency response, bet things can get kinda crazy."
Trevor grinned. "Yeah, especially in the summer with all the tourists. Everything from fires, accidents, medicals, hazmats, to search and rescues, you name it, increase twentyfold."
"Really? That much?" Michael voiced his surprised.
"Yeah." He nodded, then spouted off some facts. "Chincoteague has about 2800 residents year round. But, in the summer, about million tourists show up. 40k for the penning alone."
His brows raised. "Wow. You must put in a ton of hours in the summer."
"Yeah. It's a real rush. With CEMS, we work a 24 hour shift, then have 36 off. When off, we're on call with the fire company. I'm on call right now. But, given the penning, yeah, we're pretty much working round the clock."
"So, what do you do when things calm down? When you aren't working?"
"Starting back to school at TCC in the fall. I'm working on my associated degree in fire science and critical care. I want to move up to paramedic."
"Impressive. TCC?"
"Tidewater Community College. In Virginia Beach." He replied.
"Good for you."
"So. Was it the same for you? Becoming a vet?"
Michael nodded. "Fell in love with horses before I could walk. My dad worked for the Environment and Parks Department in the Feral Horse Management Division in Albert. So yeah, I always wanted to be an equine vet." He paused, adding. "In vet school, I dabbled a bit in wildlife work with Ty, back there." His head tilted toward the back seat. "But, my focus is strictly horses now. I teach at the vet school in Calgary."
Trevor gave a nod in acknowledgement. "Think you'll really enjoy the next few days then."
"No doubt. Loved Misty as a kid so I'm looking forward the pony swim. We all are." He turned toward Ty, sitting in the center of the backseat. "Right Ty?"
"More than excited." Ty agreed, leaning forward in his seat to join the conversation.
"So Ty. Why did you become a vet? Were you raised with horses too?" Trevor asked, glancing at Ty through the rearview mirror.
He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. "No. We didn't have horses, or pets for that matter." He said, adding a plausible excuse. "We moved around too much."
"So what hooked you?"
"Well. When I was seventeen, I went to work on this ranch that rescued and rehabbed horses. They ran cattle too." He chuckled again. "Funny. I knew exactly nothing about horses, or cattle for that matter, when I showed up. I was green as they come." Ty admitted, thinking back to their prickly meeting that first day, Amy atop her horse berating him for scaring the horses.
"Must have worked out."
"Yeah...mostly." He quickly added. "Anyhow. I worked there several years." He shrugged. "It just evolved from there."
"So you ride then?"
"Used to. A lot back then. Had my own horse. Harley." For an instant, the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
"Good name."
"Harley? Yeah. He came with it." He paused. "But, I don't have him anymore. So, it's been a while."
His gaze drifted into the distance as his thoughts settled on Harley, wondering how he was. Hoping that he was still at Heartland.
"Ty, you're forgetting Cloud and Wind." Michael reminded him.
"True. I rode some this summer." Ty admitted, coming back to the present.
Michael added. "Ty is being modest. He performed some fancy surgery to repair extensive wounds on a colt mauled by a cougar. Then he led the summer long rehab for the colt and his mare. She was attacked too."
"No kidding?" Trevor was impressed.
"It wasn't all me. Michael was the rehab and behavior expert. Don't let him fool you." Ty shot back with a compliment.
"So you work well as a team." He observed.
"We do." Michael and Ty answered in perfect tandem.
All three chuckled.
"So you ride, Trevor?" Ty asked.
"Horses? Some. I'm actually more into motorcycles."
Ty nodded appreciatively. "Yeah. Me too. I have a 1974 850 Norton Commando."
"Nice. 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650." He smiled at Ty through the rearview mirror.
"Nice. I did a little work on that exact model a few years back. It's a sweet ride."
"Yeah it is. Nothing like the open road."
"Yeah. Nothing like it." Ty responded with a longing sigh.
"You know. We should ride while you're here." Trevor suggested. "There are some incredible touring roads."
"I would love that!" Quick to respond, Ty came back to reality. "Probably not in the cards this time around."
"Probably not." Trevor agreed, though he showed his disappointment.
"Another time?" Ty suggested, knowing it was unlikely that they'd ever cross paths again.
"Yeah." Trevor nodded, asked. "So, the other two? They ride too? Horses?"
"We both do." Henry spoke for David. "I've ridden my entire life. Now it's mostly show jumping and eventing, precision riding."
"And, you David?"
"Grew up on a cattle ranch." He stopped short of any real details.
"And, trucks and horse trailers? You do those too?"
A chorus of Yeses resounded.
"So, y'all specialize in horses?" Trevor continued his questioning.
"Everyone does but me. My specialty is wildlife and surgery." Ty contributed. "But, I treat horses too."
"Good to know."
Slowing the truck to a near crawl, Trevor drove through the far left E-ZPass lane of the toll booth. When the red and white gate rose, he picked up speed again, merging right onto the near empty two lane highway.
"Are we getting on the CBBT?" Henry piped up, asking from the back right. A voracious reader, Henry had studied their route, tracking the landmarks along the way.
"In a couple miles." Trevor estimated.
"Good. I can't wait to see that."
"See what?" Ty asked.
"The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Listened to this." Henry replied, then read from his phone. "The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects the Virginia mainland at Virginia Beach with Virginia's Eastern Shore at Cape Charles. This 17.6 mile toll structure is an award-winning engineering marvel and is considered one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.""
Trevor chuckled. "CBBT is definitely an engineering marvel, especially given that it was built more than 50 years ago. Not so sure about the seven wonders part though. Where'd you get that?"
"Virginia Tourism Council."
"Of course." He rolled his eyes. "But. Have to admit, it is pretty cool."
"The bridge tunnels under the bay at two separate places so ships can pass in and out of the bay. See." Henry showed his phone to Ty. Displayed on its screen was an image of a container ship passing over the tunnel, the gap in the bridge.
"That's crazy."
"Let me see." From the back left, David asked as he leaned over, looking at the phone. "Cool."
"I know, right? Maybe we'll see a ship pass through." Henry hoped aloud.
"Maybe." Trever replied. "What's really cool is watching the sun rise from the bridge. That never gets old. And, we may just have perfect timing this morning." He pointed to the east. "Check it out."
"Whoa." Henry said, averting his eyes from his phone to the passenger window. The others looked east too.
The truck, headlights still on, drove onto the narrow northbound truss bridge. Below were the dark waters of Chesapeake Bay as it flowed into the Atlantic Ocean. In the distance, a pin dot of sun broke the horizon, its rays painting the thinnest golden line between the slowly brightening sky and wide expanse of water.
Snapping pictures with his phone, Henry expressed his delight as the others leaned to the right, trying to glimpse the beauty unfolding.
As the sun continued its seemingly rapid ascent, the band of gold grew, casting streaming colors of vibrant oranges and yellows, pinks and purples, across the palest of blue sky littered with streaks of dark clouds and jet contrails. Growing too in intensity and circumference, the sun's rays blazed a trail across the bay, glistening against the ripples and waves. Except for the radio, the truck grew silent again, its inhabitants mesmerized by the show. Even Trevor, who kept his eyes on the narrow lane, stole glances.
"It's really beautiful." Michael said, taken by the sight.
"Yeah..." Ty leaned over, his phone to the window, took a picture.
After several miles, the bridge merged with its twin, a southbound bridge on its left. The four lanes of the two bridges narrowed into two lanes, one each way, as tall concrete walls rose, obstructing the water view.
"Are we headed into the tunnel?"
"Yep." Trevor said, slowing the truck. Descending into the concrete tunnel, the morning light was snuffed out, replaced by rows of harsh fluorescent lights embedded into low ceiling. The radio signal faded into static intertwined with echos of traffic bouncing off the tunnel walls. Trevor turned it off.
Though underwater in the tunnel for only a few minutes, by the time they ascended again, the sky had dramatically changed. The sun now fully above the horizon appeared unusually large, casting its reflection to dance in the bluing waters, dispersing its brilliant colors across the expansive sky.
"That's really cool." Ty exclaimed, taking several more pictures. Unsatisfied with the results, he handed his phone to Michael. "Hey. Could you take a few for me?"
"No problem."
Trevor leaned forward in his seat, looking out the windshield. "Hey Henry. You may get your wish after all."
"What's that?" Henry asked.
"Look." He pointed ahead. "See that cargo ship? It's fixing to cross at the next tunnel."
Henry rolled down his window, letting the heavy salt air in, sticking his head out part way, to get a better view. The signature bright green haul of a fully loaded Evergreen container ship was sailing west, its bow nosing into the gap in the bridge.
"Wow!" He exclaimed snapping more pictures. "Will we be under that?"
"About 95 feet under."
"That's wicked." David added, rolling down his window as well to get a better view and picture.
After traveling several miles, the truck once more descended into another artificially lit tunnel only to ascend again a few minutes later. Looking out the back glass, the massive ship appeared to have cut the bridge in two.
Michael turned in his seat, returning Ty's phone. "Get one of that ship behind us."
Several more photos taken, the cab excitement died down as occupants settled into quiet and the sun settled into day. Ty thumbed through the photos of the sunrise and container ship. "These are great, Michael. Thanks!"
Noticing that his phone was still in airplane mode, he turned the setting off. Immediately his phone dinged several times, signaling the arrival of new texts and emails. Scanning the texts, hers caught his eye, his breath.
"Lisa?" He said aloud in disbelief. Sent the evening prior, her text was short.
"Ty. Nice to talk to you this week. Glad you're doing so well. Please send your video of the eagle release when you have a minute. Lisa." He read quickly.
Overhearing, Michael turned to Ty. "Did you say Lisa?"
Instead of responding, he handed over his phone.
Michael quickly read the short message. His eyes locking on to Ty's as he returned the phone. "Positive sign. Are you going to respond?"
Ty gave a one shoulder shrug.
"Well, you should. Can't hurt." He suggested with a soft smile, then turned around in his seat to give his friend space.
Forehead bending closer to the screen, Ty reread her text, contemplating his response. With a deep exhale, he tapped out a reply. Unsatisfied, he refined it several times until he was. The final version purposely lacked the emotion he was feeling.
"Hi Lisa. Thanks for reaching out. Good talking to you and Jack too. Here's the video. Ty." Although debated more than once to include Jack's name, he left it in, attached the video and pressed send.
Staring at the screen, he impatiently waiting for her response. Several minutes passed before he realized it was not quite 5am in Hudson. On a whim he sent another text.
"In Virginia now, on a mission to vet the wild Chincoteague ponies living on Assateague Island as a part of the externship. Just crossed the Chesapeake Bay at sunrise." He attached the prettiest photo.
Suddenly sentimental, he added. "Reminds me of those in Hudson. Full of promise." He pressed send before he lost his nerve.
Almost as quickly, he began to second guess himself. Michael's voice interrupted his doubts.
"So Trevor, tell us the story of the horses on the island. How did they get there?" Michael asked, resuming conversation.
He chuckled as the bridge ended, routing them onto Cape Charles. "Well, which story might that be? The firehouse's one, the National Park Service's or the book's? There's a lot of debate on the topic."
"Why don't you start with Misty of Chincoteague?" Michael smiled. "Did you read that as a child?"
"Growing up, we all read that, at least ten times. And all of Marguerite Henry's books. Saw the movie a bunch too."
"Required reading..and viewing?"
"Something like that."
"I never read the book. Or saw the movie..." Ty admitted, then added under his breath. "Surprisingly." He thought he had seen every horse movie ever made.
"The movie is playing the whole week at the theatre if you want to catch it." Trevor rubbed his baby smooth chin. "I should warn you, it's a bit old fashioned."
"So the book, what does it say is the origin of the ponies?" Michael prodded, knowing the answer.
"That they're ancestors of Mustangs that escaped from a Spanish galleon that shipwrecked off the coast of Assateague Island in the late 1600s."
"I read that National Parks Service thinks that they're just feral ponies, descents of horses escaped from mainland." Henry injected.
"That's right. They do." Trevor agreed.
"That's what the Canadian government says about the wild horses in Alberta." Ty commented. "What's the firehouse's position?"
"Pretty much aligned with the book. But with added mystic."
"What do you believe?" Michael asked.
"I'd like to think they're ancestors of Spanish Mustang that survived a shipwreck." He grinned. "It's a better story. And, honestly, it gives what we do even more meaning and importance. Preserving the breed."
"So Pony Penning. When did that start?" David asked, leaning in.
"The practice started in the 1700s. Not too long after the shipwreck." Henry answered with an air of annoying authority.
"True." Trevor cut his eyes to Michael, smiled. "But, the first official "Chincoteague Pony Penning Day" was held in 1924 sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. We have done so every year since. 94 years now."
"Why the fire company?" David asked.
"Good question. In 1920, fire swept through downtown destroying the east side of Main Street. A few years later, another fire destroyed the west side. Soon after, the CVFC was established. To raise money for fire equipment, they hosted a carnival and auction at Pony Penning Day." He explained. "To this day, fire and emergency are entirely funded through that."
"No kidding." David was surprised.
"Yeah. No taxes. Now, CVFC owns and manages the two herds on the Virginian side of Assateague. They have a permit with the US Fish and Wildlife Service that allows 150 adult ponies to graze on the island in the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. So, the penning and auction does a couple of things. It reduces the size of the herds to a level that can be supported by the island resources. And, it raises money for the fire company and for veterinary care for the ponies through out the year."
"I read that Assateague Island is owned by the US government, but is half in Maryland state territory and half in Virginia." Henry added to the conversation.
"You read right. There are 80-100 ponies on the Maryland side that are owned by the National Park Service." Trevor affirmed.
"So, how many foals?" David asked. "On the Virginia side?"
"Depends. But, between 50 and 70 are born every spring." Trevor replied.
"And all those will be auctioned off?" David continued his line of questioning.
"Most of weaned ones will. A few will return to the island as buy-backs with the older ponies."
"Gotcha." David replied. "So, we'll be vetting around 220?"
"Give or take."
An incoming call on the truck's speaker cut into the conversation. "It's Dr. James. I got to get this." Trevor said before accepting the call. "Morning Doc. You're on speaker."
Dr. Cameron James, affectionately nicknamed "Doc", was the lead veterinarian for the Pony Penning as well as for the pony's year round care. Born, raised and still living in Virginia Beach, he earned his DVM at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
As a young vet, he volunteered for his first Pony Penning in 1990, the year two mares died a few hours after the swim without a clear diagnosis. Armed with tissue, hair, saliva and blood samples, he dove into research mode and quickly figured out the cause, hypocalcemia, a condition where blood calcium levels drop to critically low levels. Commonplace in cows and known as Milk Fever, it's a rare occurrence in lactating mares. Usually treatable if caught early, the telltale signs were missed in the hubbub of the swim and parade. Helping to institute a pre and post swim protocols including providing the ponies alfalfa hay and mineral blocks, both rich in calcium, he was offered and accepted the lead veterinarian position a few years later.
Well known in Virginia, Maryland and veterinary circles across the country for his tireless work and dedication to the health and wellbeing of the Chincoteague ponies, he was respected, beloved and admired by many. And, after corresponding with him by phone and email all summer long, Michael, too, had become a fan of the older vet.
"Morning Trevor. How's the Lord's day been treating you thus far?" His southern drawl was strong.
"Can't complain, Doc. Just finishing up my shift."
"Good, good. Dr. Barnes with you?" He asked, knowing the answer.
"Yes, sir. He's right here. Wanna to talk to him?"
"If I may."
"Good morning, Dr. James." Speaking up, Michael leaned toward the radio, taking a formal tone.
"Ah, my good Dr. Barnes. Morning. I reckon y'all made your flight just fine."
"We did, thank you. And, thanks to Trevor, it's been a nice drive too. He's a great guide."
"Yes, he is." He paused just slightly. "Listen. Slight change in plans. I need y'all to come straight away to the South Corral."
"Anything you need." He replied without hesitation, hopeful that the change in plans would mean more hands-on time with the ponies, less time building pens.
"Well, good to hear on account that I also need y'all to camp on the island tonight."
Before Michael could answer, Doc continued. "We're gonna have a clear night. And, don't worry about gear. We have tents, food, and plenty of DEET." It wasn't a request.
"Anything you need." Michael repeated, unsure of how else to reply, though dreading the mosquitoes, he had read about.
"I appreciate y'all."
"And, we appreciate you and this opportunity."
"Our pleasure." He said, ending one thread and starting another. "Trevor, where are y'all now?"
"Just past Birdsnest." Trevor reported.
"Hmm. An hour or so out, barring traffic." The lead veterinarian supposed.
"I can get there faster, if need be." Trevor offered, more than willing to flip on his emergency lights and punch the gas pedal.
Dr. James chuckled. "Thanks, but no Trevor. Just mind the speed limit." He added. "It's tight but we'll get it done."
"Yes sir."
"Thanks. See y'all after a while." He said just before hanging up.
"Well, sounds like it's gonna be a long day and night for y'all. Might want to catch some winks while y'all can." Trevor suggested.
"You're not camping with us?" Michael asked.
"Nope. I have a nice, soft bed and window unit waiting for me." He chuckled lightly,
"Well, we have plenty of DEET waiting for us." Ty retorted sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Believe you, me. Y'all are gonna be thankful for that stuff. Make sure y'all spray down good." He warned seriously. "But, honestly a clear night on the beach will be well worth it. You'll see."
Soon, the cab grew quiet again, some closing their eyes, as Trevor drove another 40 miles north up Highway 13. At Wattsville, he turned east onto Highway 175, a two laner, sided by Virginia pine, sycamore and freshly mown grass. As they traveled east, the houses and businesses became fewer and farther between. The flat landscape with a few wind stunted trees and shrubs soon gave way to swaying grasses and green salt marshes, ribboned with blue waterways reflecting the cloudless morning sky. The highway slowly rose in elevation, morphing into a four-mile causeway over the bay between the mainland and Chincoteague island. A drawbridge at its end funneled them onto the island.
"Welcome to Chincoteague." Trevor announced.
"It's really pretty." Michael replied, looking around through the windshield and side window.
Trevor pointed to the right and Main Street. "Down there a few blocks is the fire station. And the carnival grounds too."
The truckload looked, catching a glimpse of the neatly lined street, awash in assorted bright colors.
Though relatively tiny, only 7 miles long and 1.5 wide, Chincoteague Island hosted a charming but bustling seaside town. As tourism had long since replaced seafood as its prime industry, the entirety of town was geared towards cheerfully welcoming tourists from around the world. A mixture of hundred or more year old Victorian homes with modern ones along with an abundance of restaurants, shops, hotels and green spaces were carefully cultivated and maintained to retain a small town vibe even as the numbers of visitors swelled each summer. Baskets of colorful flowers abundantly hung from lamp posts, nestled in window boxes, mounded in sidewalk planters. Scores of people, likely tourists, strolled the sidewalks, rode the trolley and bicycled along side.
Within just a few minutes, they had driven the width of the island, through the heart of town, ending up on the other side of the island, exiting onto Beach Street Bridge.
As they crossed over the Assateague Channel, Trevor pointed south. "The ponies swim a mile or so down the channel."
"How deep is it?" David asked.
"Depends on the tide, of course. But, pretty low at slack tide, maybe 5 or 6 feet, when they cross." Driving onto the island, Trevor announced. "Welcome to Assateague."
The 37 mile long and less than a mile wide barrier island, Assateague Island was largely undeveloped on its southern Virginian end, except for a single red and white striped lighthouse, a visitor center, and a maze of walking trails. White sugared sand rimmed its outer Atlantic edge, shifting inward with the wind and tide to form dunes, drifting across the roads and trails that looped the island. Centered on the long swath of land, the dunes gave protection to fresh water ponds, loblolly and scrub pine, bayberry and wax myrtle, thickets, sea rockets and wildflowers, and of course, an assortment of grasses, swaying in the ocean breeze.
"The South Corral is just ahead." Trevor said.
"There are so many people here. For some reason, I expected the island to be deserted." David commented, observing the vehicles parked along the road, and people on foot, bikes and horseback.
"Except for the summer, it mostly is." He said, adding. "The island closes at 10 pm so y'all have a peaceful night."
Pulling off the road, Trevor stopped along side a row of orange cones and a sign that read No Parking Authorized Personnel Only." Shifting into park, he waved to the man in an orange vest who nodded back.
"Ya'll should get your things out of the back." He said. "I best call Doc and let him know y'all here."
Before he could, there was a sharp rap on his window. Trevor smiled.
Doc hadn't changed one bit in the twenty plus years Trevor had known him. Now, in his mid-fifties, the bespectacled veterinarian still wore pressed khakis, a collared white shirt neatly rolled at the sleeve, canvas fedora, and an earnest smile. With a stethoscope tucked in his shirt pocket, he resembled a southern country doctor from the 1950s.
Without shutting off the engine, he opened his door, got out and shook the older man's hand.
"Doc." Standing close, their eyes locked in mutual respect.
"Trevor. It's good to see you." He said sincerely. "As always."
"You too. How are you? How's the family?"
"Good as gold. Actually, Bonnie and Erica are both here, well, at the corral."
Caught off guard, Trevor stumbled a bit. "Erica?...Um, I thought..."
Doc shook his head No. "Change of plans. Needed her help here. More ponies than hands today."
"Oh, um. Todd here too?" He asked, though he hoped otherwise.
"No. He left for Blacksburg this morning."
A smile washed over him. "Um, I could stay and help out.."
"Trevor. Go get some sleep. You've been up, what, 24 hours already."
"Yes, but I'm fine.."
"Trevor. No. She's only here for the vetting. Then, they're leaving right after." He was firm.
He nodded solemnly. "So a successful round-up?" Trevor changed the subject, trying to keep his disappointment in check.
"All accounted for and 203 in the corral." The vet relayed in a matter of fact tone.
"Good to hear. Congratulations."
Each took half step back as the others joined their circle. Starting with Michael, Trevor introduced each Canadian to the lead vet, offering a tidbit or two that he learned on the long drive. "And, they all can ride and haul a trailer." He added for good measure.
"Well, good to know." Doc chuckled lightly.
After a round of handshakes, a horn honk interrupted their small talk. Trevor acknowledged the driver, then looked back at Doc. "Sure you don't need me?"
"We got it. Thanks Trevor." He padded his shoulder. "I appreciate you for getting this guys."
Trevor let out a soft sigh. "Well, I best be going then. See y'all tomorrow." Climbing into his truck, he gave a two finger wave, then drove off.
"Let's head on over." Doc suggested, leading them down the worn path, toward a double fenced corral, full of ponies, mostly pintos. A buzz of people stood at the outer fence watching the ponies mill around, eating hay. Ty pulled out his phone, snapped a few pictures.
Parked along its right side of the corral was a white, extended cab truck, basic and nondescript except for Cameron and Bonnie James, DVMs, Virginia Beach Veterinary Clinic and Services written in black block letters on the door. Parked behind was a flashy silver trailer, long and sleek, emblazoned with both a Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine emblem and a Virginia Tech emblem. A black awning projected from its side, extending its length. Beneath the awning, a woman, around fifty years or so, sat at one end of a folding table, talking on her phone. As they approached, she ended her call and stood smiling. Petite in stature, she had curly, short auburn hair streaked with silver strands, a spray of freckles across her suntanned cheeks and hazel eyes.
"Gentlemen, meet my wife and veterinary partner, Dr. Bonnie James."
"Pleased to meet y'all." Bonnie replied, her accent sweet tea sugary.
Suddenly, the door to the trailer sprung open. A young woman, with long ringlets of auburn hair, stepped out, wiping her wet hands on her jeans. "Hey Mom, we're gonna need more TP. We're almost out."
"And, this is our daughter Erica." Bonnie grinned.
"Oh hi!" She grinned with a touch of embarrassment, taking a spot beside her mother. Bonnie drew her arm around her daughter's waist, squeezing her affectionately.
"Bonnie and Erica graciously agreed to work with us for the day before they head back to Virginia Beach tonight."
"I've to get back to Blacksburg tomorrow." Erica explained somewhat cryptically.
"Erica's starting vet school at Virginia Tech." Bonnie added with twinkle of pride in her eye.
"Yeah. The classes start Tuesday. And it's a four hour drive so..."
"Erica's in her first year. Full scholarship too." Doc grinned. "She's been working with us at the clinic and at the penning since before she could walk."
"Daddy..." She groaned, embarrassed again.
After introducing the newcomers, Doc suggested that they put their backpacks in the trailer. The inside was a fully outfitted, ultra modern veterinary clinic, complete with microscope, laptop, lab and imaging equipment, a stocked drug cabinet and surgical suite in the back, to boot.
"Wow! This is incredible." Michael spoke while the others walked its length, checking things out, taking it all in.
"She is that. State of the art everything. Fully stocked, fully equipped. Tech graciously lent it to me for the Pony Penning. This is her maiden voyage." He said, with a touch of pride.
"No kidding."
"More than we need, no doubt. Though running water and a restroom are a definite plus." He opened the cabinet, got out a couple of rolls of toilet paper. "Put your stuff in here. Then, let's go outside and get organized."
As the others filed out, Doc put the extra rolls in the restroom.
"Doc, hope you don't mind me asking..."
"What's on your mind, Michael?" He said, closing the restroom door.
"What happened to the other vets? Weren't there supposed to be two others?"
"Three actually. And a couple of techs. Called in sick."
"Oh."
"Food poisoning. They think it was a bad batch of seafood chowder at yesterday's cook-off."
"I'm sorry to hear."
"Yeah. Me too. But, they'll be back in the saddle tomorrow. And, thankfully, y'all, Bonnie and Erica were willing to adjust. Between the seven of us, we'll be just fine."
Gathered around the table, Doc sat at its head, Ty and Henry to his right, Michael and David on his left, Bonnie and Erica on the opposite end. Several cans of bug spray occupied the corners of a survey map of the corral, its pens and chutes and the surrounding area. The elder vet cleared his throat.
"First, thank y'all for coming, for volunteering y'all's time and skill to our efforts. The Chincoteague pony descends from the noble Spanish mustang but has evolved and adapted to the harsh conditions of Assateague Island. Surviving howling winds, fierce storms, bitter cold winters, blazing summers, biting insects with only native grasses and rain water ponds to nourish them, the Chincoteague pony is a hardy stock with relatively few health issues." He sounded as if he had given the speech before.
He turned slightly in his chair, pointing to the corral just a few yards away. "As you can see, they are smaller in stature, gentle and docile by nature." He squared his shoulders as he warned. "Make no mistake, they are still very wild. They just as apt to nuzzle as bite y'all. So be alert and be careful."
"Nevertheless, they depend on us to keep them healthy, to preserve their breed, their heritage and to keep them free and wild as God himself intended. Without us, without y'all, this beautiful animal, found no where else in this immense world, would undoubtedly cease to exist."
He let his words sink in as his eyes traveled around the table, pausing for just a moment, connecting with each person. No one dared to utter a single word.
"So, we must be thorough in our work here. Our eyes, our ears, our hands, our minds open and vigilant in finding every issue, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, as those threaten their health, their life and consequently, their very existence. Never let that leave y'all thoughts."
He paused again for effect, every person still focused on the vet.
"Hope y'all are with us."
Six yeses came without hesitation.
"Good to hear. Thank y'all." His forehead dipped ever so slightly to show his gratitude. Rising to his feet, he leaned over the map, pointing. "The ponies are here, on this end. They will be pushed, one at a time, into the center chute for a two stage vetting to determine the health and fitness of each pony. Those determined to be too young, too old, or with foal will be pushed into the top right pen, here. Any with a health issue will be pushed to the vetting pen, here. We will address these further after the initial vetting is complete." His finger traced the ponies' path. "Ponies in these two pens will not swim but will be trailed to Chincoteague instead."
He pointed to the top left of the drawing. "Those considered fit will be penned in the swim corral on the left, here. We will err on the side of caution. We do not want any mishaps. Understand?"
A murmur rose with head shaking.
"Good. We'll split up into three teams of two. Bonnie and Erica will man the chute entry, Ty and Henry the chute middle and Michael and David the end. I will be wherever I am needed."
Everyone nodded.
"Once we're in our places, the first pony will be pushed into the chute. Bonnie and Erica will scan the microchip and pop open the pony's chart." Adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, he tapped on the iPad.
"So the foals, will get weighed and measured, new photos and her first round of vaccinations. This information will be posted for the auction and potential buyers. The older ponies were vaccinated in the spring so they will just get weighed."
"What vaccinations are required in the states?" David asked.
"Good question." Doc said, then looked to his daughter. "Erica?"
"Pretty much the same as Canada. Rabies, tetanus, strangles, West Nile Virus, Influenza, EHV, EVA, EEE/WEE. Potomac."
David nodded. "Thanks."
"Okay. The first check takes about 3 minutes. The pony and iPad will be pushed to Henry and Ty. When your gate is closed behind her, the next pony will be pushed into the entry chute." He handed the iPad to Ty. "Now. Y'all are in charge of the first stage, lung and heart, eyes and teeth, hooves, lumps and bumps and update the chart. 3 minutes. Any questions?"
"Anything we should watch for?"
"They are a hearty bunch in general. So y'all are looking for lacerations and wounds, maybe swelling in the legs, lameness. We've seen hypocalcemia in past but not for the last couple of years. We lost a couple right after the swim in 1990."
"You diagnosed the issue that year." Michael stated.
"Too late to save them though." Doc said humbly with a frown. "Like I said, we vetted in April so we shouldn't see too much today. But, be on the lookout for unusual things."
Everyone nodded.
He gave a reassuring smile. "When y'all are done, the pony and iPad move to Michael and David. Y'all will do the walk and trot looking for lameness, limping, irregular gate, that kind of thing. 3 minutes. Update the record, then pass iPad back to us. We'll have 3 iPads going, assembly line style...once we get into a groove. Any questions?"
When everyone shook their head No, Doc stood. "Spray down good. Then let's get to it."
After a slow, deliberate start with the first few ponies, the seven fell into a steady rhythm, efficiently doing their part.
Doc checked his watch. "Listen up everyone." He called. "With these last two, we're about halfway done. Good work. Let's break for lunch after these two. It's almost 1:00."
Just after passing Evening Star, a black and white pinto mare, Ty stopped the line with her weaned foal. StarLight was a beautiful, spirited 6 month old with the rich chocolate coat and a splash of white on her forehead. She had an open wound, the size of a Canadian maple leaf dime, just above her right hind hoof.
"Doc. We may have an issue here." Ty alerted him. "She has an infected wound."
Doc stepped in, bent to take a closer look. "Good eye. She'll probably need a topical, maybe an oral antibotic too." He raised his voice. "Hey Michael, do the walk and trot on this one, then send her to the vetting pen."
"Will do." Michael hollered back.
While the others ate lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Ty and Henry examined StarLight's wound more closely. After taking a few pictures and swabbing the infected wound, they rinsed the wound with cold water removing the debris, applied a mild antiseptic and compression bandage, and administered an oral antibiotic as Doc suggested.
Returning to the table, Ty confessed. "That wound looks weird. I've never seen anything like that before."
"What do you mean?" Doc asked.
"Even after debridement, a yellowish gritty particulate remained."
"Sand?"
"I don't think so. But maybe? We got a sample to put under the scope. Do you mind?" Ty asked.
"Not at all. I'll come with you." Doc offered. The three headed into the trailer, prepared the slide, examined it carefully but didn't find anything out of the ordinary.
"Ty, Henry. I appreciate your focus and caution on this." Doc looked at his watch. "But, it's 1:30. We need to get back at it if we hope to get done before sunset." He patted Ty on the back, then the three washed their hands before heading out the trailer door.
Nearly five hours later, they had completed their work. After a quick clean-up in the trailer, the group assembled on one side of the table and a few dozen reporters and onlookers on the other. Doc stood behind the vets and vets to be, waiting for the crowd to hush, before he spoke.
"Welcome everyone. Thank y'all for coming. I am Dr. Cameron James, lead veterinarian for the annual Chincoteague Pony Penning and for the ponies' health year-round."
When the clapping settled, he continued. "I'm more than tickled pink to announce that 2018 was another productive and healthy year in the long history of the Chincoteague Ponies. This year, the Virginia herds have grown to 203 ponies strong, 53 of which are foals born last spring. After our careful vetting, we have certified that 174 will swim the Assateague channel in the 93rd Pony Penning and Swim."
A loud round of clapping rose up. When it died down some, Dr. James continued. "The work performed here today could not happened without the help of the fine folks seated before me. First, on my left, I want to thank our Canadian brethren in veterinary medicine representing the University of Calgary and the Vancouver Animal Rescue. These four have traveled many miles from Alberta and Vancouver to lend a hand in Virginia." In turn, he introduced each of the four starting with Michael, followed Ty, Henry and David. Applause followed each introduction. "And, as always, I want to thank my wonderful family, here on my right." Applause rose after he introduced both his daughter and wife.
"These fine men and women have done outstanding work today. They have given of their time and skill to ensure the health and welfare of these magnificent ponies, our state's treasures, for this year's swim and for the next year to come."
"As you are aware, the pony swim is scheduled tomorrow at 10:22am at slack tide, the 30 minutes between the tides when there is no current. This is the ideal condition for the horses to swim the channel. The Saltwater Cowboys will herd the ponies across the 400 yard channel and arrive at Pony Swim Lane on Chincoteague Island. After resting for 45 minutes, give or take, the Cowboys will parade the ponies down Main Street to the carnival grounds. There, we will perform another veterinary check to ensure their wellbeing. As today, you are welcomed to observe that process as well."
"The auction starts tomorrow night at 7pm. Given the beauty and majesty of the foals in year's auction, I suspect bidding will be quite strong and swift. So get your wallets ready."
The crowd laughed.
"Any questions?"
A pretty woman in a yellow shift dress, low heels and a microphone in her right hand, raised the other. Standing beside her was a man holding a camera stamped with a News Channel 3 logo. Doc acknowledged her with familiarity. "Miss Sally. Do you have a question?"
As she stepped forward, the camera was focused on her. "Thanks Doc. Sally Hazel from News Channel 3. Tell us about the specific checks that you did during your vetting today?" She spoke into her mic, then held it toward Doc to record his answer.
"Miss Sally, excellent question. Today, we performed what veterinary medicine calls a Stage Two vetting. This a thorough examination of the horse at rest and includes a check of the eyes, heart, lungs, conformation, teeth and skin. This is followed by seeing the horse walk and trot in hand on a straight hard surface, flexion tests of all 4 legs, backing up and turning on a tight circle. Through this examination we determine the ponies' fitness for swimming the channel. Those too young, too old and just unable are trailed to Chincoteague. Thanks Miss Sally." He smiled, then looked away from her. "Other questions?"
An older woman wearing a tie-dye tee shirt with Chincoteague written across her chest raised her hand next.
"Yes Miss Jeannie." Doc pointed to her. "Your question?"
"Only 53 ponies were born this year. Last year 62 were. Why the decline? Have y'all been following Maryland's lead and administering birth control to our ponies?"
"Absolutely not. Yes, 53 foals were born this year, 62 last year and 57 the year before. These are wild ponies, exposed to nature's harshest elements. Naturally, the number of births will fluctuate each year. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and I do not use birth control on the Virginia herds, never have, never will."
"You better not, Doc." She warned.
"I won't. Promise. Miss Jeannie, I love these ponies just as much as y'all do. I will do everything in my power to preserve their health and their legacy." He was resolute in his answer. "Next question."
A middle aged man with a long skinny ponytail holding a notebook and pen stepped up. "From my calculations, 29 ponies are not swimming the channel tomorrow. Why not? Are there any health issues we should know about?"
"Good to see you, Edd. Thanks for the question." Doc started. "The ponies are healthy. Like every year, ponies too old, too young, infirm or mares with unweaned foal are trailered over the channel. We are exercising caution by foregoing the four minute swim."
"So no other conditions we should know about? Like hypocalcemia?"
"Thankfully no. Given our calcium enriched feed and mineral blocks, our mares are doing exceptionally well without any signs of hypothermia. As a usual precautionary step, we will trailer all mares with their unweaned foals. We simply do not want to risk separation or injury. This year, 9 mare and foal pairs will be trailered to Chincoteague with three ponies deemed too old to swim."
"And the other eight?"
"We found that those eight have a wound on their lower legs. Likely received from an oyster shell or rock before or during the round-up. Their wounds have been treated, bandaged and antibiotics given. We will continue to monitor and treat their wounds until fully healed. Aside from that, in all other regards, they appear healthy. Again, erring on the side of caution, they will be trailered too."
"Good to know." Edd made a note. "Are any foals in the eight?"
"Yes. Two. StarLight and Kachina's Shenandoah Raindancer. Both are six month old weaned fillies."
Edd nodded as he made a note. "Will they be auctioned?"
"That decision will be made tomorrow. We want to ensure that their wounds are healing properly first. Like I mentioned, we are monitoring the issue. Thanks for your questions, Edd." Doc deftly moved on to another person with her hand raised.
After several more questions and a few more rounds of applause, the press conference concluded and those gathered dispersed as the sun began to dip in the western sky. After goodbyes, Doc walked Bonnie and Erica to their vehicle, returning soon after.
"Well everyone, again great work. Thank you." Doc glanced at his phone. "Listen. Gus just texted. Dinner is just about ready over at the Cowboy Camp. I suggest you spray down again and grab your things and a headlamp. It gets pretty dark out there." He pushed back his chair and stood.
Michael and vet students sprayed down as suggested, then headed into the trailer.
"Doc?" Serious faced, Ty stepped up, nearly toe to toe, with the lead vet.
"What's on your mind, Ty?"
"Those wounds? They don't look they're cuts from shells or rocks."
He exhaled wearily, then admitted. "No, they don't."
"What do you think it is?"
"Not sure, but glad that they are in a separate pen." Although he didn't say it aloud, he worried that whatever it was, might be contagious.
"Yeah." Ty worried about that too. "Think we should test more samples."
"The samples we already took didn't show anything." He reminded him.
"I know. But, maybe we were testing for the wrong thing."
"Maybe." He muttered something under his breath. "Ty. Look. If there is an issue, I want to figure it out as much as you do. But, I've got a ton to do tonight to prepare for tomorrow."
"Understand. I'll make you a deal." Ty offered.
"Oh? What's that?" Doc raised an eyebrow.
"I'll concentrate on these eight so you can concentrate on the other 195."
"What do you mean?"
"Research. Can I use your laptop in the trailer?"
He let out an exhale. "Fine. But after dinner. You need to eat. You skipped lunch." He frowned. "I sure hope it's something treatable."
"Hope so too."
"Let's keep this amongst us. All sorts of crazy will start otherwise." His phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Looking at the screen, he said, then stepped away. "It's Bonnie. I have to get this...Hey hon."
"I got yours too, Ty." Michael said, exiting the trailer with two backpacks and vet bags in his hands.
"Thanks man."
During the short drive down Beach Street to Cowboy Camp, Ty pulled out his phone to check messages. As he thumbed through the texts, one from Lisa caught his eye.
It read. "Ty. Thanks for the video. The eagle free-fall was incredible. We watched it several times. Sunrise was breathtaking. Lisa."
Before he had a chance to respond, Doc pulled into a parking lot just off the beach. At the far end, he backed into a parking space, next to a couple dozen or so pick-ups and horse trailers parked in the same manner.
"Let's leave your vet bags in the truck. Sand isn't a friend to your instruments. I'll lock up." Doc instructed, then opened his door, inhaled deeply. "Nothing like the ocean to clear your mind."
Exiting the truck, the smell of salt and sound of waves rushed them, punctuating the air all around. Exhausted, backpacks slung over their shoulders, they silently followed Doc single file down a footpath worn through a grass covered sand dune. On the other side, tents in all sizes and colors were set-up in a semi-circle around a lit-up fifth wheel camper attached a heavy duty truck. In the middle, twenty or more men and women were sitting around a lively campfire, talking, laughing as a man strummed a guitar. Just as many or more were standing in groups, here and there, talking and enjoying themselves in the white sugared beach that stretched to the ocean.
A burly man approached, his arms wide open. "Welcome Doc!"
"Gus!" Doc walked into his arms, a hearty man hug ensued.
"Hungry?" Gus asked.
"Starved. What good y'all got cooking?" His southern accent suddenly exaggerated.
Gus let out a hearty laugh. "Cherrystone clams sauted in a nice Resiling and so much garlic that the vampires won't bother us tonight. Fried oysters. Ribeyes. Grilled new potatoes and sweet corn. And, Stella's homemade peach cobbler to top it off."
"Island Creamery Vanilla?" Doc asked hopefully.
"You know it. With bourbon and vanilla bean."
"Sounds delicious." Doc licked his lips to add emphasis.
"Who'd ya bring this time?"
After Doc made introductions, Gus asked seriously. "Doc, do they know that they have to swim for their dinner?"
Doc laughed. "Well, I guess they do now." Ty and the others winced.
Gus winked. "Kidding. Come on, supper's about ready."
While everyone else relaxed around the campfire, ate dinner, swapped round-up stories, Doc worked the crowd and his phone tending to the last minute details of the next morning's swim between bites of his dinner. When Doc rose to take yet another call, Ty followed him, just out of earshot. When the call ended, Ty stepped up behind him.
"Doc?"
Doc turned. "Ty." He fished his keys out of his pocket. "Here's my keys. Take my truck. You have two hours."
"Thanks." Keys in hand, Ty jogged to the truck.
Once inside the veterinary trailer, he took a seat, fired up the laptop, leaned in and began his search, comparing pictures he had taken on his phone to those on veterinarian websites. After a long search, he leaned back in the chair. Pulling out his phone, he tapped a text to Doc. "I want to test for Pythiosis."
His phone rang, it was Doc. "Swamp Cancer? The only US cases have been in the Deep South where it's hot and muggy."
"I know. But, didn't Assateague have an unusually hot year?" Ty asked, knowing it was.
"It was god awful." Doc sighed heavily. "It's just a PCR, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Call back as soon as you know something."
Headlamp on his forehead, Ty drew blood from the infected ponies, then processed the samples in the trailer. All eight tested positive for the infection; Shadow and Rainbow Warrior, both older stallions, Essie, a 5 year old bay mare with a foal, Lightning, Calceti'n, Lyra, and Elusive Star, three mares without foals, and Kachina's Shenandoah Raindancer and Starlight, the foals.
He swore under his breath. He texted Doc the bad news.
"Stay put. We're coming."
"I have your truck." Ty reminded him.
"Right. We'll hitch a ride."
Ten minutes later, Doc arrived with Michael, Henry and David in tow. Ty met them outside, the laptop in his hands.
"Ty, bring us up to speed." Doc requested.
"Okay." Ty agreed, taking a seat at the table, the glow of the laptop's screen illuminating his face. The others stood, huddling around him.
He exhaled. "The eight ponies with leg wounds actually have Pythiosis."
Michael blinked several times in disbelief. "Swamp Cancer? Seriously?"
"I'm just as stunned as you." Ty replied.
"Cancer?" Henry asked.
"It's not a cancer really. Pythiosis is actually an infection caused by an organism which breeds in standing water. The organism enters the host through a break in the skin and causing a lesion to form. For horses, the lesions can occur anywhere on the body but lower limbs are most commonly affected due to frequently standing in water or wet grass as they drink and graze."
"But, it's usually in tropical climates, right?" Michael still in disbelief. "Assateague is hardly tropical."
"I know. But this year, temperatures were higher than normal by two degrees." Ty explained. "Anyhow. Lesions on the limbs are characterized by fast growing tumors, a yellowish, blood tinged discharge, and severe tissue death." He pointed to image of the red, swollen, oozing lesion with blackened edges and yellowish crusty protrusions. "See how the tumors look like a malignant cancer."
"Gross." Henry said as he leaned in.
"It is." Ty nodded in agreement. "As the lesion grows and metastasizes to other areas, ligaments, tendons and bone painfully erode. 95 percent of cases result in death within six months. Early treatment is critical."
"Geez, 95 percent? Is it contagious?" Henry asked.
"No. Not animal to animal nor animal to human."
"So, what is the treatment?"
"Aggressive surgical removal of the lesion and surrounding tissue. Topical DMSO. And, there's also a new vaccine. But it's most effective in the early stages of infection." Ty added.
"This is worse than I feared." Doc said glumly, his hand slowly rubbing the back of his neck as though to release the mounting tension.
"Knowing what we're dealing with is half the battle." Michael piped in, offering some positivity.
"You're absolutely right, Michael." Doc conceded.
"So surgery?" Michael asked.
"Yes, under general anesthesia. But, we can't do it here. The surgical suite isn't big enough for one sedated pony, not alone eight." Ty replied.
"Do we have any other options for surgery? Maybe your clinic, Doc?" Michael asked.
"No, we don't have that kind of space or staff." Doc sat down, his elbows on the table, knuckles under his chin, pondering the options. He looked at his watch. "9:15." He said aloud, then pursed his lips, contemplating the situation.
He picked up his phone, called a number from his contacts. "Sid. Doc. Sorry to bother so late." He chuckled lightly at Sid's response. "So. How goes it?" He listened. "Good. Good. The others?" He listened again. "Oh. Sorry to hear about Bobby and Thomas. Send them my best. So, you, George and Robin are good to go?" He listened. "Okay, we'll see the three of y'all at the carnival grounds right after the swim?" He listened again. "Great. I appreciate y'all. Good night."
Barely hanging up from the last call, he made another call. "Hey hon. It's Pythiosis...all right." He conferred with his wife about the situation and their options for several minutes. "Yes. That makes the best sense." He suddenly smiled, albeit a tired one. "I love you too."
Without a word, he tapped out a text. Almost immediately, his phone rang. "Hey Clive. Sorry for the late text. Yeah. Swamp Cancer. I can't believe it either." He walked away as he continued to talk.
"Geez. This is bad." Henry said, saying aloud what everyone was thinking.
"Hopefully, it was caught early enough." Michael said. "They'll have surgery and recover."
"Hopefully." Henry agreed, then lamented. "Hope this doesn't mess up the swim."
"It won't." Michael replied. "Too much at stake."
Ty remained silent as he concentrated on laptop screen, reading through the literature once again. Sitting next to him was David reading over his shoulder, taking it in.
Twenty minutes passed before Doc rejoined them, taking a chair across the table from Ty.
"Okay. Here's the plan. I talked with Clive Daniels, dean of Virginia Tech vet school. He agrees that the ponies best chance of survival is expeditious surgery. He's reserved the surgical suites at the large animal hospital on campus for tomorrow and Tuesday. Surgeries are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."
Ty was relieved. "So the school will do the surgery?"
"Surgery is your specialty, isn't it?" Doc said, not answering the question.
"Surgery, yes." Ty replied. "But, not..." Before he could finish his sentence, Doc continued.
"I'm gonna be straight up with you. Ty, I need you to accompany the ponies to Blacksburg and conduct the surgeries."
"But, I've never dealt with Pythiosis." Ty retorted.
"This is novel for them too. At this point, you have more experience than they do." Doc advised. "I have no doubt that you can handle this."
Instead of replying, Ty locked eyes with Michael for a moment.
Michael turned his focus back to the elder vet. "Doc. Before we can even consider shifting our mission to Blacksburg, we need to discuss it with Drs. Hickerson and Singh."
"Michael, here's the thing. I still need you and at least one other here for the post swim check." Doc explained.
"I see. Give us a few minutes." Michael and Ty stepped away out of earshot.
"What do you think?" Ty asked his best friend.
Michael didn't hesitate. "Ty. You should go, do the surgeries. It's right up your alley. Take one of the guys with you. It'll be a great learning experience for you both."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. Plus, I want to see the ponies swim."
Ty chuckled. "Well, okay then. We should call Myrna. We'll need an extra day or two."
"Agreed."
After a conferring with Myrna, she gave her immediately support. "Ty. Michael. This is your externship. You don't need my approval. I'll call Singh in the morning, let him know. I'm sure he'll want to reach out to Clive Daniels. Offer his support."
"Thanks Myrna."
"And, I'll let Celina know so she can make the necessary arrangements."
Rejoining the others at the table, Michael informed the group. "We have the green light. Ty's going to Blacksburg and I am staying here. Henry and David, you get to pick, Assateague or Blacksburg."
The two vet students looked at each other. Henry spoke first. "I want to stay."
"Okay. David?" Michael asked.
"I'll go with Ty." David volunteered.
"Okay. One more thing. We're gonna extend the mission by a couple of days. Any issue that that?"
Henry and David shook their heads No.
"Okay Doc. We're in."
"Thank you. I really appreciate y'all." He paused. "Ty and David, talked with Trevor. He'll be here 5 to get you and the ponies. Bonnie and Clive will meet y'all at the hospital."
"Sounds good." Ty replied.
"Michael and Henry, ya'll are with me. Two other vets and a tech will be on hand to help out." Doc said.
"Guess we have a plan then." Michael replied.
"Yep. But, it's late. We need to get back to camp and get some shut eye. Tomorrow will be a long day. For all of us." Doc said, pushing back his chair to stand.
Michael gathered up all the cans of bug spray, handing one to each. "Spray down men."
Well after midnight, Ty lay wide awake, flat on his back in a one man tent, hands folded across his bare stomach. Despite the calming, rhythmic sound of the ocean's ebb and flow, his mind would not stop. The insidiousness of the Pythiosis situation had infiltrated his every thought. Though he was excited by the challenge of the surgery, the deck was stacked against the ponies. And, he will be forever known as the vet who couldn't save eight of Virginia's state treasures. Giving up on sleep, he put on a t-shirt, unzipped the tent flap, then crawled outside.
He rose to his feet in awe. The boundless nocturnal sky, drenched in a cascade of iridescent stars, embraced him, humbled him, took his breath away. Spellbound by the magic that nearly snatched him from his earthly moorings, he stood still, his bare feet grounded in the warm sand. A wind ruffled his longish hair, freed from its rubber-band daytime captor, its strands danced freely around his face, sticking to his beard and lashes. Raking his hair back, out of his way, he thought he heard the ocean call to him, say his name.
He listened for a moment, then looked around. The lights of the camp had been extinguished hours before.
"Ty." He heard once again, this time he turned, walked toward the ocean. As he neared, he could see the outline of someone sitting, mere feet from the water edge. As he drew closer, he recognized the fedora.
"Doc?"
"Can't sleep either, Ty?"
"No. Thought I'd count stars." He tried to be funny.
"Sheep don't work for me either." He deadpanned in response. "Sit with me."
Settled beside him, Ty, too, gazed outward. "The sky is beautiful."
"Stargazing from Assateague's southern tip in August is a bucket list item, if one keeps such lists."
Ty nodded.
Doc pointed to the right. "See that bright star over there, near the horizon? That Venus. Left of that, intermixed with the Milky Way, is Jupiter. Then Saturn is over there."
"Incredible." Silence settle between as they looked skyward.
"It's been a good day." Doc turned to look at him. "Thank you."
Ty grumbled. "Hardly. Eight ponies were issued a death sentence." Defeat resounded in his tone.
"Maybe. Maybe not. It's possible that it was caught early."
"But, what if it wasn't?"
"As long as we keep trying, apply what we learn to the next time, it's not for nothing. It's called advancing veterinary medicine."
Ty didn't respond.
"You remind me of myself, when I was your age. Bound and determined to diagnosing the problem and fixing it. Saving the animal." He hummed. "Seems like a long time ago. But, still those 25 years have sure gone by fast."
Ty listened as the older vet reminisced about his first pony penning and swim.
"Sounds like you have had a career that you love."
"I do. And, my best friend and wife to share it with." He added. "Mind you, it isn't always a bed of roses. And, I don't particularly relish when I have to report bad news. Especially to the family of a beloved pet."
"Me neither."
"No. I suppose no one does." Doc agreed. "But, if I can celebrate the life, focus on the silver lining, pay it forward, then I can sleep at night."
"How are we going to tell them? All those reporters? The public?"
"The time will present itself. But, don't worry. That's my job."
A heavy silence settled between them as they continued to look skyward.
"You know what I like about stargazing?" He glanced at Ty.
"No, what?" Ty glanced back.
"There is a reassurance in the vast beauty of stars, moon, constellations and in their predictability, their constance." He sighed serenely, his gazing shifting upward again. "A promise of tomorrow. Of a new beginning. A wonderful opportunity to complete what was started, right wrongs. Make amends."
"Hm." Ty muttered something unheard as he too looked up.
"To do better. Be better. A better husband, father, friend. Doctor. I regain perspective that I may have lost during the day."
A quietness fell upon them as they gazed at the immenseness above, the sound of the ocean washing their worries away.
"Enough stargazing for the night. 5's gonna come early. Try to get some sleep in the meanwhile." He patted Ty's shoulder, then got to his feet. "Good night Ty."
"Night. I'll go in soon."
After a few moments alone, Ty too rose to his feet, before headed back to his tent. Once settled on his back in his makeshift bed, he stared at the orange ceiling, mulling over Doc's words. He sat up, pulled out his phone, tapped out a text.
"Lisa. Glad you enjoyed the video and sunrise pic. Thought I send a few more. Ty." He attached a few of snapshots from the day including a selfie with the ponies.
Within a few minutes, Lisa responded. His eyes misted as he read her text. "Thanks Ty. You look happy. We are proud of you. Lisa and Jack."
Without hesitation, he responded. "Lisa and Jack. I will be back in Alberta in a few days. Would you be willing to meet me for coffee? Ty."
He held his breath as three dots danced across his screen.
Hello Readers. This chapter is a long time in coming. I apologize. Life seems to of my writing. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it. While it is a pretty long chapter in terms of word count, it is only the first day of the externship, Sunday. I had hoped to include both Monday and Tuesday to even up with the chapter 42, Amy's Monday and Tuesday. But, alas, that didn't happen. So the next chapter, 44, will focus again on Ty and do that.
As a note. Chincoteague and Assateague Islands are very meaningful to me as my extended family and I camped there one summer when I was a teenager. It's a beautiful place, with wild ponies roaming everywhere on Assateague. Hope that I was able to relay its magic.
SBR