I recognize the truck from Tri-County Animal Clinic. The Nice vets get called out here all the time. “Come on, Rex.” We head for the barn. I’m trying to figure out which animal could be sick. Hank’s got Starlight out in the pasture. That leaves the two young horses he’s been training. Or Blackfire. Before Dakota showed up at the Rescue, the black gelding was called Black Devil, and he lived up to the name. Old Mrs. Coolidge got him at an auction because she knew that if she didn’t, the buyer would turn the horse into horse meat or dog food. Hank worked with the horse, but it wasn’t going so good. For once, Hank’s horse magic wasn’t doing the job. Then Dakota showed up. She and Blackfire took to each other, and they’ve been together ever since. Rex and I squeeze through the side door of the barn. Right away it’s obvious the vet’s here for Blackfire. Dakota has the horse tied to a post in the round pen she and Hank use for training. Even this far away, I can see she’s been crying.
