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Oh, you know, the dog park, running, and grading
papers. I can t wait for this semester to end. It s been a
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Through Hazel Eyes
long, tough one. You, on the other hand will be the
omniscient Lord of the elephant seals.
Ah yes, call me Lord Seal. Phil sighed, and then
told her about the rest of his drive. Eventually, their
connection was lost as he headed into the mountains
and Madison had to hang up without saying good-bye.
The rest of the week was more of the same for
Madison. Daily routines became a mantra that both
Julie and Madison settled into without a glitch. School
let out on Friday, and spring break was the next week.
Olivia was going with Gregory to visit his parents,
which left Madison on her own.
In order to keep herself busy and focused, she made
a plan for the week. Each morning would start with a
visit to the dog park followed by her daily run. Errands
would be done before lunch, leaving the afternoon free
to clean her house, grade papers, and perform yard
work. Spring was in full force now, and the yard
needed attention, as did the interior of her house.
Pollen filmed her car and the windowsills, reminding
her of rebirth.
Tuesday turned out to be the best day for yard
work. The sky was a crisp azure blue highlighted by
jetted white streaks of clouds. The sun was high
enough to warm the yard without peaking like the
southern sun s height and power of summer. Her skin
absorbed a layer of sun block and with garden tools in
hand, and Julie by her side, Madison headed out into
the yard. Azalea bushes lined the back of her house.
The gaps between branches were filled with maple
leaves that had fallen before winter set in.
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Through Hazel Eyes
Her gardening gloves protected her hands as she
began pulling the leaves out of the tops of the bushes.
Later, she used a rake to bring them out into a pile in
the yard. The warmth and light of the sun was healing
for her spirit, and having Julie there besides her gave
her someone to talk to, even if the responses were
limited to dog speak.
After finishing the first row of bushes, Madison
moved on to raking leaves from other parts of the
property. Meanwhile, Julie was off exploring the far
end of the yard and dug up something of interest.
Julie, what are you digging? Walking over to
where Julie was, Madison began to see the big hole
forming underneath Julie s paws. Oh no, Julie, that s
not a good idea! Julie looked up, nose covered in dirt.
Let s fill it back up. Madison used her sneaker to
push the dirt back in the hole. When she finished and
turned around, she saw Julie tugging at her ear with
her paw.
What s the matter, Jules? Upon closer inspection,
Madison noticed a large tick deep in the pocket of
Julie s ear. It was plump and at an obscure angle.
Crap! What do I do now?
Madison brought Julie indoors to have a second
look, as though it might have fallen out en route. Julie
sat patiently on the floor while Madison examined
further; the tick hadn t budged. We need to get this
thing out, but I m afraid of hurting your little ear.
Deciding she better have a vet remove the tick,
Madison looked for the piece of paper Phil left with the
vet s phone number on it. There in bold letters was,
Mountain Veterinarian 434-555-1117.
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Through Hazel Eyes
Oh great, Madison thought. Looking back and forth
between Julie and the phone number; she knew she
had to call.
Good afternoon, Mountain Veterinarian Hospital,
how may I help you? the chirpy voice on the other
end greeted.
Um, this is Madison Ragnar. I m taking care of
Julie Lanyard, Phil s chocolate lab.
Oh yes, uh huh.
She has a large tick deep in her ear, and I m afraid
to try and take it out myself. Can I bring her in?
Absolutely. We can see her at three thirty. Does
that work for you?
Yes it does. We ll see you then. Madison debated
asking her which vet would be seeing them, but the
receptionist hung up before she had the chance to
finish contemplating.
Charlottesville had a large selection of
veterinarians, but Mountain View was the one Madison
had heard of the most. Her student s parents, friends,
and neighbors have all mentioned the clinic in passing
with nothing other than praise and high regard.
Madison, of course, never had any reason to go there,
and when she arrived she was immediately impressed
with the brick sided building. Statues of dogs and other
animals lined the grass area leading to the entrance.
The double doors swung open, displaying a waiting
room filled with benches, dog treats in baskets, and pet
related magazines. Behind the counter sat three
receptionists. The one on the right looked like she d
been there since the first brick was laid and was the
first to ask Madison if she could help her.
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Through Hazel Eyes
Yes, I m here with Julie Lanyard, Madison
announced as she approached the counter. Julie walked
around the waiting room, sniffing out the treats that
she must have known were in close proximity.
Okay, have a seat and we ll call you in a minute
The waiting room was empty, but each of the exam
room doors was closed. Madison found a seat in the
corner next to a basket of treats. Photographs of various
dogs and cats papered the walls. Holding tight to
Julie s leash, Madison waited, wondered. It was too late
now to ask if Michael was Julie s vet or if someone else
would be seeing her. They were there and that tick had
to come out. Julie lay on the floor, knowing the drill
better than Madison did.
Mrs. Lanyard, the vet will see you know, said the
receptionist who greeted her.
I m not& there was no point in finishing her
sentence. The receptionist went to the back of the room
and grabbed Julie s chart from another table. She was
on a mission to get them into a room.
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