“No! Yes! Is she all right?” Kay screamed. “I’ll be there shortly!” She slammed the phone in the receiver, as she grabbed clothing to put on and ran back and forth the hallway of her mobile home. Wouldn’t you know, as she was readying to leave, a knock at the door!

Her young neighbor, Ronnie, dressed in her robe, was curious about the screams she and her husband heard. Chuck, peering out their back door, wanted to know what all the commotion was about. They had guests the evening before, and Chuck wasn’t in a very good mood during this early morning hour, as the dawn of this September day was just beginning.

With the front door wide open, Kay was still talking and pulling clothes on at the same time. “Ronnie, I have got to go – and now. Paige called!”

All of a sudden, the realization of what was happening jerked Ronnie fully awake. “Well, I am riding with you!” She yelled back at her husband to follow and bring her clothes; and with that, she joined Kay, as the VW bug was already backing out the driveway.

Ronnie and Chuck would often tease Kay about her VW, calling it the traveling tack box, as it was packed with practically any item necessary for the care of her horse. . Ronnie remembered the story of the mare’s previous birth and the prolapse, and the recommendation not to breed the mare again. Kay had been at the barn for short while and was concerned about the mares consistent weight gain, and, when grooming, would notice changes that were looking familiar. Following and upon confirmation by the Veterinarian, Ronnie witnessed Kay’s rage, over the so-called accidental breeding. In addition to the possible dangers to both mare and foal, this was not the best time of year for a foal to be born.

Paige heard the VW coming up the long, bumpy drive, with a cloud of dust following it. Bruce, the resident bloodhound, heard it too, as he came lumbering from around the corner of the concrete barn. He always met his people with an ambitious, and usually, slurpy greeting, but this early morning hour had already proved to be unusually busy for him.

Every light in the barn must have been on, as Kay saw them waiting for her at the entrance with big smiles on their faces. As she was exiting the car, Kay peppered Paige and her husband, Jim, with questions. “Have you called the Vet? Is Vixen okay, and the baby? Has she expelled the afterbirth? Where is it?”