YOU NEVER KNOW

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on July 2014

The morning air was filled with the sweet smell of freshly cut hay as Baby woke as the air tickled his nose. Even the pheasants were up early scratching in the fields for seeds left behind. It was the time of the year TC often thought of Missy and how she loved the spring.
Annie had already left the barn to check out the day. Joseph – well, he was still sleeping. Nothing got him up any earlier than he wanted to. Havier and Jake were their usual selves. It was just one of those mornings when everyone was going to let the day unfold as it should. A few minutes after Joseph awoke, he was looking for his breakfast.
“I feel like I have already done a day’s work.†Annie shouted as she joined the rest.
“Me too.â€
“Joseph, just what would make you say that?â€
“That’s just it, Annie, nothing. I thought I would stir the pot this morning.†Joseph laughed as he walked away.
“Well, that is a switch, you’re in a good mood this morning.â€
“Yes Baby life would be boring if everything was always the same.â€
“That is so true Joseph. What else are you going to surprise us with?†TC asked as she came around the corner.
“Don’t know right now but I bet I’ll think of something before the end of the day.†answered Joseph.
“I have no doubt.†Annie whispered to Baby.
“Come, everyone, I want to discuss something with you.â€
“What is that TC?†asked Joseph.
“How does a trip to the big tree sound?â€
“I love that idea TC. I don’t know about everyone else but count me in!†yelled Annie in excitement.
“I love it too.†Baby answered.
“Now, you know I don’t like second hand adventure. I’m ready too.†shouted Joseph.
“Before we go I have something that I want to ask TCâ€.
“What is that Annie?â€
“Are we all going to the big tree?â€
“Yes, we are all going Annie, but why do you ask?â€
“Well in that case, we have to have a party when we get there.â€
“A party? Why Annie?â€
“Well, when you get invited to the big tree isn’t that like being a real member of our family because that is very special for us all to go to the tree. This will be Jake’s first trip thereâ€. yelled Annie.
“Never thought of it that way but you’re right Annie and this could be Jake’s coming home party.†replied TC.
“Sounds great everyone! Let’s get the party started! Where’s the food TC?â€
“Joseph, can you think of something other than your stomach?â€
“Sometimes.â€
The afternoon passed so quickly that the owners were home before anyone knew it.
“That’s weird for them to be home so early.†Baby whispered.
“Maybe they are going haying.â€
“They haven’t hayed in years and it was before you came that they did. It was so funny watching them the day after, walking from the house to the barn. They had muscles that hadn’t been used in years! Oh, were they hurting! I think it took them weeks to get over being sore. Something else has brought them home.†replied Baby.
Just at that moment, TC and Havier looked at each other....the Little Ones knew that look and knew what it meant! Seconds later came the whistle from the barn.
“I think we should have a nap before we go back TC.â€
“Good try Joseph but you know if we don’t go then they will come for us. It is what it is Josephâ€.
“Let’s get it over with.†Baby added.
The walk back wasn’t as fast as the going. Everyone knew what was waiting at the barn. Sure enough, there were the halters all hanging in a row. The stall doors were open.
“I wish I could just leave my body and come back when this was over.†shouted Joseph.
“Be careful what you wish for Joseph.†Annie answered as her halter went on and in the stall she went. One by one the doors to the stalls closed. A pin could have dropped and it would have been heard, it was so quiet. Then the sound of the truck……….the vet had arrived.
“It is so nice to see everyone is ready to go.†said the vet as she pulled stuff from her truck. With spring comes the needles so the horses don’t get sick.
“Who should we do first?†asked the vet.
“Well, let’s start with Baby and go from there.â€
Baby didn’t mind the needles but seeing them was his problem. As long as he kept his head turned he was alright. The vet decided she should then do TC, Havier and then Jake next seeing where she hadn’t met him before.
Just as the vet came to Jake he looked at Havier and whispered, “She is better looking than the old vet I had.†Jake even thought he was like baby as he stood tall and strong as the needle went in.
Havier thought to himself – “ it wasn’t going to be too bad because she would pinch his chest a few times to make the skin numb and he wouldn’t feel a thing. “Sure enough that is just what happened.
TC was such a pro to this that she turned and before you could count to ten it was done.
The vet stood for a minute looking between Joseph and Annie, remembering how good Annie would be but she wasn’t sure of Joseph. Last time he had gotten himself totally upset. Joseph simply doesn’t want anything to do with the needles.
“Annie is next and then maybe we should give Joseph something to keep him a bit calmer this time.â€
“Baby, what is she talking about? Do you know?â€
“I think it is something to make you feel calm and not so anxious.â€
“Is it a needle Bab? Right now I would gladly take ten baths than do this.†Joseph shouted.
Annie was finished getting her shot before Joseph was finished talking. The vet had gone back to her truck. The owner and the vet had been talking outside but no one could hear what was being said.
“Joseph, it will be alright. She is fast and before you know it, it will be all done.â€
“Easy for you to say Baby. You aren’t in my body right now!â€
“That is why the vet wants to make it easy for you and help keep you calm Joseph.â€
The vet had returned but Joseph couldn’t see that she brought anything back with her. Maybe it is a pill, he thought, as he looked her over from head to toe. The vet then started patting Joseph on his head and at the same time gave him a small little needle in the neck.
“That will take the edge off and we will give it a few minutes to take effect. I am just going to put this stuff back in the truck while we wait.†said the vet.
Baby was watching Joseph to see if he could see any
reaction to whatever it was in the needle that might make him relax when SUDDENLY------Joseph’s eyes rolled up in his head and he dropped to the floor shaking out of control.
“JOSEPH!!!! JOSEPH!!!!! Can you hear me!! BUDDY get up JOSEPH, GET UP!!!!!â€
It took the vet only seconds to realize something was wrong when the owner yelled to come. She knew right away what had happened and immediately gave him another shot. Joseph was still shaking, even after the second needle. His eyes were glossy and un-reactive.
“BABY!!! BABY!!! What is happening? What is wrong with Joseph?? I can’t see Baby!!! “ Annie yelled at the top of her lungs.
TC, who was in the stall next to Annie, tried to reassure her that things were going to be alright but it didn’t work. Annie just wanted out so she could be there to help Joseph.
“Annie, it will be alright. The vet knows what she is doing. Trust me.â€
“ NO SHE DOESN’T TC, because if she did, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place!†Annie answered with big tears running down her face. She wanted her Joseph to get up and tell her she was that girly-girly girl even though she was a donkey.
“Annie, listen to TC. It is not anyone’s fault. You have to believe me on this one.†Havier added.
Baby, being the closest to what was going on, could only see his buddy lying there. He too wanted him to stand up and tell some silly joke or something, but nothing was happening.
The vet was listening to Joseph’s heart, looking in his eyes with a light and moving his legs. A few minutes later……..
The vet explained to the owner, “I know this doesn’t look good but Joseph will be alright. What happened was that he happens to be allergic to the sedative and took a reaction to it and this is what happens. Just like with us, animals have reactions to different meds. Like us, there is no way of telling until it happens. This time it did. It is going to take awhile for Joseph to be himself again. I am going to stay until he stands up and I’ll come back before 12 and see how he is doing. If you need me before that here is the number and call.â€
The owners opened the stall doors so everyone could be near to each other and to relieve the anxiety they must be feeling. Not a word was spoken as each one fastened their eyes on Joseph to see when he was going to stand up. The owner sat by him and watched with the rest. It seemed hours before suddenly there was movement from Joseph. He was trying to get up.
“Come on Joseph, you can do it I know you can. Come on Buddy. We are all here with you.†Baby shouted as hard as he could to give Joseph that extra push.
“JOSEPH!! I can give you a push if you want me to†yelled Annie and before long everyone was shouting encouragements to him.
Within minutes Joseph found the strength to stand up with the help of the wall but his head was still too heavy to hold up. Just then, the owners took turns holding his head in their arms. They very quietly left the barn closing the door behind them.
About three hours had passed and with each passing minute Joseph was becoming more like himself with the exception of his eyes. He still couldn’t see clearly and his tongue felt a bit strange.
“Welcome back Buddy. I am so glad you are back.†whispered Baby.
Joseph looked at Baby……
“You look strange Baby and Annie, your ears are huge. My tongue feels like sand paper. What happened?â€
“It’s a long story.â€
“Since when did I get fed that line? That’s Annie! She always says that.†Joseph answered.
The biggest cheer went up in the barn with those words. Everyone knew that Joseph was going to be alright. As the barn door opened everyone was circled around Joseph showing him how much they cared as the vet arrived. She had returned just as she said she would.
“Nice to see you are still on your feet Joseph.â€
“Hello! Will someone tell me what she is talking about? Is there something that I don‘t know about?†Joseph asked.
“I want to take his temperature and check his heart before I go.â€
“Oh oh! He is not going to like this at all.†whispered Baby to TC.
“Let’s just hope he is still a bit too dozy to know what is going on.â€
Before they knew it Joseph was given his exam and ………
“Joseph is going to be alright but no water or food tonight. In the morning you can give him water and food. I will call tomorrow to make sure things are still good.†With that the vet returned to her truck and her dog that had been waiting patiently.
There was this moment of wonderment as to what Joseph was going to say about no food but he was too tired to respond. All he wanted to do was sleep. Everyone took their turn saying good night to him. It was one of those times for a sleepover.
The next morning, Joseph was back to his old self. Not fully understanding what really happened, all he knew was that he was allergic to the medication.
“Good morning everyone.â€
“Good morning right back at you Joseph.†everyone answered.
“What are you going to do today, Joseph?†TC asked.
“Well now. I was just thinking about leaving my body for a while.
JOSEPH!!!!!! Everyone yelled.
“Just stirring the pot.†Joseph laughed as he ran to get his breakfast. The owner was putting up a sign just in case another vet came and didn’t know that Joseph couldn’t have that medicine.

Hi Everyone. Our story this time was a bit different but we wanted to share it with you. So many children, and big people too, have allergic reactions to a lot of different things and we are no different.
Joseph recovered completely and will be out and about this summer at the shows……Salmon River, Bridgewater, Lawrencetown and, of course, Windsor Ex.
Maybe we will see you there, but in the meantime, school is OUT!! Be careful and stay safe as you enjoy your summer. We will be back after the break in August with more adventures.
Baby, Joseph, TC, Havier, Jake and Little Annie. Plus the cats.