Monday
A hard rain pelting the window woke him. The rapid firing of each driving drop seemed to threaten its thin glass, his shield from the building storm. Suddenly, the darkness of the room was shattered by a flash of light, intense then fleeting, followed by a thunderous crack, shaking not only the window pane but his bedroom, maybe even the entirety of nondescript two story apartment building where he resided. The dreary, rainy Monday morning and the prospect of yet another press conference, drove Ty deeper into the recesses of the dingy blanket covering his double bed. Five minutes later his phone alarm blared.
"Grrrumpth." Ty mumbled as he tapped the snooze button pulling the blanket tighter around his body and over his head.
On the third wake-up alarm, he could not procrastinate any longer. He sat up in bed, swung his legs over the side of the bed, put his feet on the chilly floor, immediately draining any residual warmth from his body. Standing, he stretched his arms overhead, bending side to side then headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, he toweled off, brushed his teeth and hair, dressed and headed to work, skipping breakfast.
When he entered the rescue at 5:57am, his hair was still damp. So was his attitude.
"Hey Ty. Happy Monday!" Celina greeted him.
"Hey." A forced smile landed awkwardly on his lips.
She read his face. "Hard to get started on a rainy day. Especially a Monday. Huh?" She chuckled. "Well...there's hot coffee and bagels in the kitchen. Fresh bunch of Honeycrisp too."
"You are too good to me."
"Someone has to be. You aren't."
He shrugged, then pecked her cheek on his way to the kitchen. Paul was huddled over the kitchen table reading something on his phone, crunching on an apple.
"Hey." Ty mumbled as he headed straight to the coffee maker, poured himself a cup, then took a gulp, then two more.
Not looking up, Paul simply grunted.
Ty poured another cup, then snatched a bagel out of the bakery box. After his third bite, he asked. "How's things?"
"As good as can be expected." He pursed his lips, then lamented. "That cub is a screamer. Had to hold him all night long." The tiniest of smiles flickered on his mouth giving him away.
"Uh Huh. Must of been a chore. That little guy isn't cute, after all."
"Right." Paul snorted. "Another one came in this morning around 5."
"Another cub?" His eyes widened.
"Yeah. A female. Vera brought her. She was found in the same area so she thought it might be his litter mate."
"No kidding. Any issues?"
"Other than being a screamer too? No. Physically she's fine. Hungry and full of ticks. She's fed. They both are."
"Ah. So you left the ticks, I take it."
"Thought you'd enjoy that..." he grinned. "Anyhow. The two seem to be keeping each other busy. For now."
"Good. Anything else big I should know about?"
"Nothing that can't wait til I'm done reading this article."
"Fair enough." Ty shoved the last bite of bagel in his mouth, then washed it down with coffee. He grabbed an apple, left the kitchen, walking through the open exam room to the large animal room in the back corner. He stopped just outside the door to observe the two bears tussling, the female being the more aggressive, dominant one. He held his apple in his teeth, pulled out his phone, took a picture. He planned to text it to Chip, but thought better of it. Too early he decided. He took a huge bite of the apple.
"Funny creatures." Mirna said from behind him.
He swallowed. "Yeah they are." Then he added. "Should we separate them given Little Mister's wounds?"
"Nah. She'll toughen him up. Plus, he'll let her know if she being too rough."
Ty nodded. "What's new?"
"You're looking at it." She tipped her head toward the cubs. "How are you?"
"I'd be better if the press conference was canceled." He said seriously.
"Yeah well." Then she grinned. "Tell you what. In 10 years you can delegate to Chip. I believe he's hooked."
"Can't wait." He smirked, took another bite.
She changed the subject. "So. Joe is on board to help out during the conference. Especially since the eagles are still here."
"Good. Thanks for arranging that." Nodding as he silently contemplated for a moment. "Any thought on how I can thank him?"
"Sure. Invite him to Roscoe's for dinner and a beer. He'll entertain you with good stories." Mirna suggested.
"I'll do that right now." He sent off a quick text to Joe. His phone dinged almost immediately. Ty chuckled. "He's in."
"Figured." She chuckled too.
"Is he coming to the press conference tonight?"
"Not on your life." Paul walked up, just catching the last part of their conversation.
Mirna laughed, then teased. "Paul. I had you down for running the show."
He gave her the evil eye. "I will be tending to the animals inside. The ones outside are yours."
"No fair!" Ty displayed an exaggerated pout complete with a pushed out bottom lip, tilted head and sad doe eyes.
"You two kill me." Mirna chuckled.
"Ty. Let's get these rounds out of the way so I can get out of here." Paul seemed impatient with the chitchat. "I have important things to do today."
Ty and Mirna looked at each other, amused.
"I'll leave you two to it." Mirna smiled, excused herself, then headed to her office.
Paul briefed Ty on the bears first on their walk through of each room and each animal. Their last stop was the Feline Room.
"The feral cat's sutures look pretty good. You should confirm." Paul looked at the log.
Ty nodded. "Will do. Kittens did pretty well on their own post-op. Might as continue what was started."
"Yeah. They at a good weight too. They should be fully weaned and ready to adopt out by week's end."
"How many do you want to take home with you?" Ty teased.
"The cobbler's children have no shoes..."
"Get that. I'll have Celina start working on the posting for our website."
Paul nodded. "Right. I'm headed out."
"See you at six. But hey. You might want to come through the back."
"Right."
As Ty opened the cage to examine the mother cat, the gray and white kitten rubbed against his hand, mewed sweetly, but just once. He smiled.
Confirming Paul's assessment, he placed the mother cat into a separate cage.
"Okay Mama. We're gonna give you a few hours break from your kittens."
As he made notes, he watched the kittens play, tumbling over one another. After he examined each one and logged his findings, he reached back into the kitten cage plucking her out.
"Well A.K., it's time to find you a good home." He drew the kitten to his chest, rubbing her tiny head. She began to purr, vibrating her entire body, tickling him.
"Promise it will be way better than that nasty garbage dumpster." He smiled. "Let's go see Celina." Together they headed to the front reception area.
"Hey." He stood in front of her desk, holding the kitten like a baby, rubbing its stomach.
"Well, don't you look all maternal." Celina smiled.
"Ha Ha." He smirked.
"Don't laugh. Cats pick their owners, not the other way around. Why do you think I have 3 cats?"
"Cuz you're a crazy cat woman?"
"Maybe." She laughed. "But it's still true. Cats pick their owners."
"Even if A.K. picked me, I am not home enough to have an animal."
"A.K., huh? You already named her?" Celina eyed him. "You getting soft?"
"No. Just a nickname. Like Little Mister. I'm not taking him home either." He shook his head. "Anyhow, this one, the mom and sibs will be ready to be rehomed in the next few days. Think we can post them in our website?"
"Sure thing. I'll get Kerry to take pictures and post something. Kids these days are pretty creative with that kind of stuff."
"Good deal. Thanks." He walked away, headed straight for Mirna's office, where he rapped on her open door.
"Hey. Got a minute."
"Hey Ty. Come on in. Have a seat." She looked up at him. "Whose your friend?"
"Ah. Just one of the feral cats that need to be rehomed."
"May I?" She held her hands out to him. He handed A.K. to her. She examined the kitten face, ears and teeth then drew her to her chest to cuddle her. "Sweet kitten. You know we haven't had a resident cat here in a while. I think we should adopt her."
He shrugged.
"Done. A.K. Welcome home." Mirna rubbed the kitten's ears.
Ty shook his head. "Unbelievable. Did Celina just text you?"
Mirna just laughed. "She's yours. Make sure you feed and vet her...and don't forget to clean out the litter." She smiled and handed the kitten back to him. "Now. What did you want to talk about?"
He nodded. "Well. Mirna. Do you..."
Before he could finish, her line on the Rescue's phone rang.
"Excuse me, Ty." Mirna picked up the call.
"Vancouver Animal Rescue. Dr. Mirna Hickerson speaking." She listened. "Well, hello Chief Campbell." She motioned to Ty to stay.
"Yes, I am well. And, you?...Good...Squamish River Stables? Yes, but it's been a while...Oh no. How bad?...That's tough...Well, yes, black is pretty rare..." She nodded several times as she listened. "I agree... a field visit is the right call...Okay. Yes, I'll send..."
He nodded in response to her glance and her raised eyebrows.
"Dr. Ty Borden. Yes. He'll bring a truck and trailer. Right. Thanks Chief. Bye."
"What's going on?" Ty was sitting on the edge of his seat.
"A cougar attacked a mare and her foal this morning on the Squamish Reserve at their River Stables. Both are in rough shape. The mare won't let anyone near her or the foal. She is being uncharacteristically aggressive. So...they need a vet out there. You'll need to take the trailer."
"Oh...Okay." He hesitated, then admitted. "You know it's been years since I worked with horses."
"Ty. You worked on a horse ranch, for what 6 or 8 years? It will be like riding a bike. You'll be fine."
Ty wasn't so sure, but nodded anyhow. "So. What's the rare part?"
"A black cougar was the attacker. They have it on a surveillance camera."
"Crazy. Okay, I'm on it." Standing, he suggested. "I'll text Chip to come in early."
The rain let up as Ty drove north on Highway BC 99 to Squamish. Though the sky remained a bleak gray, the lifting clouds gave way to breathtaking views, Howe Sound on the left, towering trees, and coastal mountain ranges all around. Blankets of fog settled on the highest points, pierced through snow covered mountain peaks, like a crown of cotton. On a normal day, the modern highway, dubbed Sea to Sky, snaking through this wonderland of nature's finest, would have captured his every sense. Stunning vistas, evolving, erupting, around every bend in the road. Waffling scents of pine mixed with salt water. Vehicles of every make, model and era, zooming past or taking a Sunday drive.
But, not today. Ty's mind was focused on what lay ahead, the possibility of encountering a black cougar, the injured horses certainly, calming the mare, getting the foal to safety, treating them both. Not getting injured.
His mind wandered back to the last time he worked with horses. It's seemed so long ago, yet he remembered it just like yesterday. The bitter cold, flood's path of destruction, emptiness that hung over Pike River, over the town, over him.
He remembered watching the large herd, wild and beautiful, descend onto Will Vernon's land, grazing contentedly on late fall grasses and hay, unaware of the cull threatening their very existence.
He remembered watching her. Per her nature, she was drawn to the herd, like a moth to a flame, pure, simple, unafraid. She belonged to horses. Before he knew it, Amy breeched the fence, ventured far into their territory, stood amongst the herd, calm, serene, confident.
Suddenly, a fierce lead stallion, his black body powerful, charged across the open field, his hooves thunderously pounding the earth. He headed straight toward Amy in a display of dominance, overt aggression, pulling up just a few feet away. His intense eyes flashed, stared her down. His hot breath visibly streamed from his flaring nostrils with each exhale, with each snort, into the cold air. His ears pinned back, his head nodded wildly, he stomped, pawed, then reared on his back legs.
She lowered herself to the ground, into a cross legged pose, to break the tension, to show her submission. Though wild stallion could have easily stomped her to death, she showed no fear, no concerns.
Then as quickly as he had charged her, he retreated. The lead mare, a chestnut brown, eyed Amy. In return, Amy held out her hand, a peace offering. The lead mare sauntered closer, allowed her to rub her muzzle. She stood, then turned to him.
"Aren't they incredible?" She flashed a smile at him. In that very moment, he found what he thought he had lost.
She never ceased to amaze him, the miracle of her gift, her ability to rescue, to heal. Her lasting effect on horses and humans alike.
Her lasting effect on him.
He could see her plain as day. Her beautiful blue eyes that said everything that needed to be said. Her silky hair the color of spun gold, her soft skin, her smile, her kissable lips.
Her laugh. He missed her laugh. Her touch. The sound of her voice. He missed her friendship. He missed her.
An lonely ache echoed in his chest.
He exhaled heavily, turned up the radio's volume to drown out his thoughts. Soon, one of his favorite song began. As he sang along at the top of his lungs, his eyes welled up.
She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America, too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend, too
And it's a long day livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'...
By the time he parked his truck at the Squamish River Stables, his mind had returned to the injured horses. A middle aged man and younger woman merged from the barn, approached his vehicle. He exited his truck, vet bag in hand.
"Hey. I am Ty Borden. Dr. Mirna Hickerson sent me."
"Welcome Dr. Borden. Ian Campbell." The Squamish Nation Chief gripped Ty's hand in a shake. The Chief, likely in his fifties, was well dressed, a blue blazer over a white button down shirt, pressed jeans, highly shined dress boots.
"Nice to me you. Please call me Ty."
"Ty. This is my daughter Naomi. She runs the stables." Ty and the young woman shook hands.
Naomi was dressed in worn jeans, plaid shirt, boots. From beneath her black cowboy, her long black hair spilled out, puddled around her shoulders, and ran down her back. Just below the hat's rim, her dark eyes peered out from behind thick eyelashes. She was pretty in a natural way. He guessed her to be about his age.
"Thanks for coming so quickly." She did not smile, her tone cool.
He nodded, then suggested. "Tell me about the horses and their injuries."
Naomi nodded, her expression grim. "Right. Wind, our mare is a four year old and Cloud, is her 2 month old male foal. He's her first. After morning feed and water, they were turned out into the field, just the two of them."
"What time?"
"I suppose just after sunrise. Sometime after, the dogs went ballistic. Hank, our stable hand, rode out to checked it out. He found them in the back corner of the field. The foal is down, the mare has a huge gouge on her neck. She won't let him near Cloud. We called Mirna as soon as we found out."
"Let's go see them."
"Horse or side by side?"
"Can we take the truck and trailer into the field?" Ty asked.
"Sure. Stay away from the mud bogs. They are deeper than you think." She warned.
"Okay. Is Hank on a horse?"
She nodded.
The Chief spoke up. "Ty, Naomi. Sounds like you have it well in hand. So. I'm going leave it to you. I have business in town." He looked at his daughter. "Naomi. Take John along to help too."
Ty shook his hand again. "Nice meeting you."
The Chief nodded. "You too. Keep me posted. Good luck."
He kissed his daughter's forehead. "Chen temstl'í7 tl'a new." He whispered to her.
"Chen temstl'í7 tl'a new." She echoed back in their native Squamish tongue. "Ayás chxw."
John led the way across the field dodging the mud pits on horseback with Ty and Naomi following in his truck pulling the trailer. About a quarter mile from the stable, they spotted Hank and the injured horses.
Exiting the truck, Naomi introduced Hank to Ty.
"Wind is still pretty agitated. I gave up trying to approach her or Cloud." Hank said, then frowned. "He hasn't moved."
"That wound looks real bad." Hank observed aloud as they watched the muscular mare with roan coat and black mane and tail from a safe distance of about twenty paces. She was still bleeding, though not profusely, from a six or so inch laceration, running the length of her neck. A large ragged skin flap based over the right jugular, hung there exposing muscle and tissue.
Despite her injuries, Wind stood rigid, in a protective stance over her foal, ears flattened backward, retracted lips, rapid tail movements, snaking, pawing, head bowing, snorting, threatening to rear. She was frightened, agitated and ready to charge if necessary.
Behind the mare, not more five feet, Cloud, a miniature replica of his mother, lay on its side, motionless. Except the rapid rise and falls of his chest. From his position, Ty could not see his wounds, but knew that he was at risk.
"We need to move quick. Cloud is in real danger of shock and his organs shutting down."
His focus shifted back to Wind. "Wind's wound is serious, but it appears to have missed the jugular. Thankfully. But, she is still bleeding. We need to secure her so we can assess Cloud."
"Okay." Naomi scrunched her nose, shook her head. "How do you propose we do that?"
"Well. Lasso is out for obvious reasons. And, we don't have gates and chutes. So. We need to give her a light sedative so we can manage her."
"Okay. So. How do we get close?" She asked.
"We're not. We'll use a blowpipe to shoot a dart filled with sedative into her haunch." He said, not batting an eye.
"No. Sounds too risky." Her eyes narrowed. "What if you miss? Or worse, you hit the wrong spot."
"Naomi. We work with wild animals so we routinely use a blowpipe or dart gun during rescues. So, I've had plenty of practice." He reassured her. "I won't miss." He added confidently.
"Oh. Can't you just calm her through other methods, you know, like talking to her?" He heard the concern in her voice, read the doubt on her face. "She's not wild."
"Yes. But horses have fight or flight instinct. Right now she's in a fighting mood. The dart will be quicker and more effective." He walked to his truck to get the pipe and dart. She followed him.
"But, it just seems so cruel."
"I understand. But, it's just a prick, honestly. No different from a vaccine needle. Except the pressure comes from my breath at the end of the pipe instead of my finger on the syringe plunger." As he loaded the dart with the sedative, he explained the sedative, the dart and the pipe.
Her expression indicated that she was still not persuaded.
"Naomi. Wind and Cloud are seriously injured and need treatment. We can't delay." He caught her eye. "Please trust me."
She nodded.
"Thank you. Now. The three of you walk away from me, in that direction." He pointed to his right. "Talk to her. Try to get her attention."
As the mare watched the others, Ty raised the 4 foot long pipe, loaded with the dart, aimed and blew. The dart with an orange fringe tail hit its mark, penetrated Wind's right haunch.
The horse did not flinch, but turned toward Ty's direction, glared, and pawed the ground. Ty did not move, but watched and waited patiently for the sedative to take effect.
Second by precious second ticked by. After 17 minutes, much longer than he expected, Wind finally dropped her aggressive stance and let down her guard.
"Okay. John and Hank. I want you two to line up your horses on either side of her. Attach a pony lead to her halter, then load into the trailer in the front. We'll put the foal in the second compartment."
With Wind loaded and secured in the trailer, Ty quickly examined her. "Looks like this is your only wound, Wind." He applied a temporary bandage to her neck to stop the bleeding, then administered an antibiotic by injection.
"John. Put your hand right here." He instructed. "Apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding."
"Let's go check on Cloud." He said to the other two.
As they approached Cloud, the foal's breathing was rapid, labored, his body was shaking. Ty checked his pulse, it was weak.
"He's in Hypovolemic shock from blood loss. Hank, go get the blanket from the backseat of my truck." He directed. "Naomi. I'm going need your help."
She nodded.
He placed gauze on the bleeding wound on his neck. "You'll need to apply pressure right here." He placed her hand on the bandage. "Good."
Hank covered the foal with the blanket.
"Thanks." Ty muttered.
Quickly he administered antibiotics, then placed a catheter for IV Fluids. "Given his size, he's lost a lot of blood and fluids. Hopefully, these will stabilize him." The young foal was barely holding on to consciousness.
"Is he gonna make it?" Her eyes were watery.
"We're gonna give it our best shot." He tried to reassure her, though he was doubtful.
"Look. I need to transport them both to the rescue to begin treatment as soon as possible."
She nodded. "I'll go with you."
"Okay."
The three men placed the foal loaded him in the trailer as well.
On the drive back to Vancouver, Ty called Mirna to apprise her of the situation and treatment plan. After the call ended, he became quiet, lost in his thoughts. He was worried about losing Cloud. And, he blamed himself. He had lost precious time in sedating Wind, which in turn, delayed Cloud's treatment.
Then he began to second guess himself. Was the blow dart the right method? Should he have used the gun? Did he misjudge the amount of sedative needed? Maybe the dart didn't penetrate far enough? Should he have tried to calm her...
She interrupted his thoughts. "You did everything you could. I know that. You should too."
He looked at her, and just nodded. As she turned toward the passenger window, he saw a tear slide down her cheek, and just nodded. They remained silent for the rest of the trip.
By the time Ty and Naomi reached the rescue, Mirna, Paul, Chip, Celina and Kerry had prepared the two surgical suites and were waiting. Mirna and Paul treated Wind, while Ty and Chip treated Cloud. From wound irrigation, debriding, to wound prep and repair, each surgery was complicated, took several hours.
Wind was back on her feet and awake by two in the afternoon. Her neck was sutured with a drain inset to remove excess fluids. Though the mare wore a special collar to keep her head and neck relatively immobile to aid the healing process, she had already taken in some food and water.
Cloud, on the other hand, remained sedated and hooked up to an IV for fluids and medications, oxygen, and assorted monitors. Mirna gave him a 25% chance of survival. The next twenty-four hours would be crucial and require round the clock monitoring.
The Chief showed up at 4 to pick up Naomi. Mirna escorted him and Naomi into her office for an update. They left without speaking with Ty, as he remained vigilant with the foal in the isolation room.
"Ty? How's it going?" Like Ty, Mirna donned a surgical gown, gloves and a mask when she entered the room.
He slowly shook his head. "His ears are cool. He's definitely not out of the woods."
"Keep the fluids going. It's not over yet."
"I don't get it. Why did they call us? We're an hour away. There are vets that are closer." Ty asked in frustration.
"The Chief didn't want the locals to be alerted that a cougar attacked livestock. He wanted the black cougar to have a chance, to be relocated and not euthanized."
Try sighed. "So he chose the cougar over the foal?"
"A black cougar is rare. Look. He sent me the video." She said. "Wanna see?"
"Nah. I don't want any to see it."
"Understand. But, Ty, both the foal and the cougar both have a chance to live. You're an exceptional vet. Cloud has a real shot."
Ty just shrugged his shoulder.
"Look. Paul's coming back at six. And, I'll do the press conference. Take Joe to Roscoe's like you planned. Give yourself a break."
"We'll see. Depends if he stabilized."
At 7pm, Ty met Joe at Roscoe's where they grabbed a table on the corner. Per a usual Monday evening, the bar and grill was fairly empty.
"How's the foal?"
"Not out of the woods, but stable for now. It's a wait and see game."
"Right."
"So Joe, Mirna tells me you have some great wild life stories." Ty changed the subject.
"Mirna probably has more stories that involve animals than I do." He said then laughed. "But, you must realize that the more interesting stories, the unpredictable ones, always involve humans."
"Is that so?" Ty grinned. "Tell me one."
"Listen. I am bored to tears by my own stories. I've heard them a million times." He winked at Ty. "Why don't you tell me one of your stories?"
"I really don't have any good ones...I haven't been to Mongolia or Namibia...yet."
"I can read about those in National Geographic. Or ask Mirna. Tell me one of yours."
Ty thought for a moment, smiled. "Okay. Well, I was really more of an observer than anything in this story.."
"Okay.."
"So, this happened a few years ago in a town called Pike River, in Alberta."
"Isn't that where they had that horrific flood, three or four years back?"
"Exactly. The town suffered a ton of damage with the flood. Even the river changed course." He sighed.
Joe nodded. "Nature can be harsh. Go on."
"Anyhow, the town was suffering, some businesses shutdown, some folks had moved away. One guy got it in his head that the wild horses that roamed in the area were becoming overpopulated, and a menace to property and livestock. So he secured a license to cull the herd and send them to slaughter."
The elder vet just shook his head. "People!"
"Yeah. So, the town was split on the matter. My friend Jack and his granddaughter were asked to step in and try to end the cull, or at least to rehome the horses. You see Amy has this incredible gift with horses." Ty's eyes lit up. "She is so amazing to watch. I have never seen anything like it. Honestly, she can rescue and heal horses, of every kind, the greatest lost causes you can imagine, with just her voice, her touch, her presence."
"Pretty special, Huh?" Joe raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. She is. She really is..."
Hello Readers.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Learning to Fly is next.
I really want to thank you for your reviews and PMs.
Please continue to be safe and stay healthy.
SBR