“That’s so sweet,” Misty said. “Look, Dad.”
“I see.” He tugged on his ball cap. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” An awkward silence lasted a beat too long. “This place is amazing. And that tractor trailer out there. Wow. It’s bigger than a moving truck.”
“Not really. It’s about the same size. I know because it was one before we had it converted for the horses.”
“Wow,” Vanessa said. “Oh!” She stepped back as Big Ben pushed his head forward over the stall door again. “I don’t know how you get used to being around them. They are so big.”
“I grew up around them,” Misty said.
“Don’t you get worried that one will get hurt riding around in that big trailer?”
Mike shook his head. “No. We’re careful. Believe me, that trailer was built for their comfort. Enhanced air-cushioned suspension and thick rubber flooring. Plus, we have cameras in the trailer so we can watch the horses during transport.”
“Of course you do.”
“We just put Scooter back in with his mom, and all the other puppies.” Misty motioned her to come and see them.
Vanessa walked over. “Aww. They are so cute, and so much bigger than Por-Scooter.”
“Poor Scooter is a pain in the butt,” Mike said. “He keeps getting out. I don’t want to kennel him, but I might have to just for his safety.”
“He’d hate that,” Vanessa said.
“So would I,” said Misty. “I’ll try to work with him more. His obedience training starts in two weeks. That will help too.”
“You obedience-train all those puppies?”
“We do,” Mike said. “We’ll train them all and from the bestwe’ll choose one to keep and train with Rein. She’s getting older, and we need to start preparing her replacement to ride with the hitch.”
“You’ll sell the rest?” Vanessa looked interested.
“Yes. We’ve had a couple go on to be assistance dogs for veterans.”
“That’s wonderful.” Vanessa took a step over to the next stall. “I can’t get over how big the horses are. Look at those feet.”
“They need big feet to carry all that weight.” He pointed to the horseshoe hanging on the wall next to the stall. It was painted high-gloss black, and a shiny brass plate with the nameGUSengraved on it had been tacked at its center. “These guys wear shoes the size of a dinner plate and about five pounds each.”
“Is that a real horseshoe?”
“It is. An old one.”
“Five pounds? I thought my hiking boots were heavy.”
“Sometimes they are heavier. In principle, the heavier the weight on the end of the leg, the farther it will swing. That inspires that high stepping everyone loves so much.”
“In people sizes, I guess we’re basically talking Sasquatch… in cement boots.”
“I never really thought about it that way, but yes. Sort of.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. “You got some time? I’ll show you around.”
“Sure. You coming too, Misty?”
“Yeah. Hang on.” A moment later Misty fell into step with them, with Scooter at her heels.
“And that…” Mike pointed to the puppy. “… is a big part of why that little guy always wants to get away from the others. You’re spoiling him.”
“But he’s so cute,” Misty and Vanessa said in unison.
