Texas Doc Story Preview

Little MO 

…a muffled noise came from the treatment area-someone was sobbing. This was definitely an odd beginning to the morning…

…Then I saw her…hovering over a small cardboard box on the exam table. "Rachel?" Our receptionist quickly wiped her eyes, trying to regain her composure when she saw me. "…what's wrong?"

"…this…I found it on our doorstep when I came in. I'm so glad you're here early, Doc…'cause I sure can't bring myself to open it."

Loosely tied, the small unmarked carton had several irregular holes punched through it. The string slipped off easily, and I lifted the flimsy lid. A frayed, yellow towel covered something inside. Pulling up one corner of the cloth, still damp and cold from the night air, I eased it away from a huddled ball of fur, as Rachel whispered, "…a kitten?…is it…is it still alive?"…

The tiny calico looked like a fuzzy caterpillar. But at the feel of warmth…her mouth opened and she squeaked…

No one said another word. We'd been down this road before. Always in sync with one another, we each moved quickly to do what was necessary. Tracy fetched a warm towel from the dryer, and I began massaging vitality into the little life. Dr. Vest reached for the incubator and hooked oxygen lines to the glass womb, while Tracy rigged a tube-feeding apparatus to provide nourishment from baby formula…

The kitten was much too small to survive on her own. Vets everywhere face this type of decision almost daily. There were only two choices: 'go for broke' with ongoing treatments…or euthanasia. The 'logical' business decision supported…....

find out the ending in Texas Doc.

(Excerpted with permission from Bridgeline Press 1-800-585-1488)