Animal's Sanctum

Chapter 9

Getting back to the sanctuary after the emergency call, my heart feels heavy. After a few hours of struggling to attempt to salvage the mare, I left only to receive another call. I had just pulled back into the sanctuary to hear that the horse had started to colic. I knew then that it wasn't going to be ending well. I had to drive back and have a discussion with the owner's parents. The ten year old girl begging for me to try and save her precious mare. I felt shitty, I still feel shitty.

I remember being called out when the mare's mother was in the process of giving birth. I helped deliver the mare. Have to explain that even with colic surgery the horse wasn't likely to make it to the clinic without doing more harm. Felt like I was tearing that little girl's world away from her. Hearing her cries of pain as I gave the mare euthanasia was heart breaking. Days like today make me want to quit. I hate not being able to save a beloved animal. Having to tell their owner that there isn't anything I can do breaks me little by little.

Parking my truck I sit there, still wearing the blood stained scrubs. Letting a heavy sigh fall from my lips I finally shut off my truck getting out to get out of the scrubs. Grabbing a bio hazard bag, I know I'll need to have them cleaned. "I'm guessing you got a call?" I lift my head looking over my shoulder, surprised the Ezekial's still here. Swallowing hard I nod, looking away. I have to clear my throat before I can answer.

"Yeah, I just got back. What are you doing here still?" Peeling the scrub top over my head, I drop it into the bag, shimming out of my scrub bottoms. He ignores my question leaning against the side of my truck.

"I'm guessing it didn't go well?" I give a sad smile shaking my head, picking up the bag I use it as a distraction. Dropping my tailgate to jump up and drop the bag into the waste bin. I don't think I'm going to bother saving this set of scrubs anyways.

"Nope, the horse got run through a fence of some sort. Put her back together as best as I could, told the owners that I didn't think she'd be able to compete or even ride. They'd be lucky if that ever happened." I shrug, moving towards the tailgate and taking a seat. I lay down not being able to hold any sort of eye contact.

"I noticed you came back for a minute or two." I nod, closing my eyes swallowing hard again. I hate days like today, there isn't anything good about listening to a little girl cry, over an animal you couldn't save. What hurts the most is knowing that you were literally the one that put them down.

"The mare started colicing. I had to go back and discuss the options of surgery or euthanasia. She wouldn't have made it through transport without other complications arising, not to mention the price or the low chance of survival. After a certain point, there just isn't anything good to do." I hear my voice tighten, raising my arms I cross them over my eyes. I'm too soft for my jobs some days, and today it showed. I have a weakness for any animal and any child, put them both together in a situation loaded with a crappy outcome?

Yeah that's just the perfect cocktail for a real shitty day. A large hand drops onto my knee rubbing my leg in comfort, soft tingles dance across my skin. "What happened?" His strong voice sounds like a soothing lullaby. Something that is welcomed more than ever right now.

"The little girl who owned her was pushing for the surgery, wanting me to save her first horse. I've been with this horse since she was born, I helped with her birth." I chuckle sadly, how crappy is that? I was with the horse when she came into this world and when she left it. "The parents had to decide that the surgery wasn't worth it. We took her out back and sedated her, after she laid down I had to give her euthanasia. It never gets easier hearing a little girl heart broken crying over her best friend as she goes to sleep the last time."