1. Abigale

Pacingin the large pole barn, I glance at the runs that I built in here. Damn, if any of these Montana ranchers around Timber-Ghost get even a remote idea what I'm doing here with not only the wolves but with predators in general, they won't only kill what's in the runs but probably also me. But I can't with a clear conscience let what's going on out here in Montana continue without trying somehow to help. I mean I'm a wildlife biologist/nature conservationist, for Christ's sake. I don't want to see any wildlife species be driven into extinction because of ignorance or fear. That's why, right now, I have seventeen wolf dogs or wild wolves in runs/kennels that I'm in the process of nursing for injuries from either other four-legged animals or from two-legged mean-ass jerks. All of them would have died if I hadn't stepped in.

I hear a high keening coming from the farthest kennel, so I quickly make my way to the last run. Shit, I should have put an Elizabethan collar or as most folks know them as, a dog cone, on this girl to protect her from doing exactly what she did. Not only did she lick the wound but started chewing and tearing out the stitches. Now I'm going to have to fix her up again and I'm alone, as usual. Thank God little Fern is mostly dog with some wolf in her and pretty shy, and most importantly for some reason she is accepting of me. So I go to gather my supplies, along with some sedative for my girl. She was shot multiple times and left for dead. I found her accidentally two days ago in a meadow down by the river. She was in pretty bad shape, dehydrated and had lost a ton of blood. Somehow, I managed to get her back here where I cleaned up the wounds. Looks like some of the injury is either infected or on the road to going in that direction, going to have to increase the dosage of antibiotics I've been giving her intravenously.

Takes me about forty-five minutes to get Fern back in one piece, though when she wakes up, probably going to freak for a bit as I now have the dog cone on her. Maybe I'll give her a tad bit of pain medication, some liquid gabapentin, so maybe she'll sleep the remainder of the night and part of the morning so her body can start to heal itself. I know she's going to have a lot of discomfort as I had to dig the bullets out. How can human beings be so damn mean? I try to see both sides but this is unacceptable. Wolves are back on the Endangered Species Act list, according to a ruling back in February of 2022. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acted improperly when they delisted wolves. Probably because ranchers bullied them with their mass numbers and probably some bribes too, who the hell knows."

Sitting next to the unconscious Fern, I enjoy running my fingers through her thick triple coat. She's beautiful and even though shy, she's also friendly. But there is a reason wolf dogs are prohibited in twelve states, though in other states, like right here in Montana where ranchers hate wolves, it's legal to own a wolf dog. Now, if you aren't educated on the species and animal, you might not realize, even though they are gorgeous, the wolf dog is still part wild animal. There have been horrific accidents resulting because people brought these animals into their homes and either a family pet or, God forbid, a child was injured or worse. No one knows what makes the animal snap like that, but personally I truly believe a wild animal should not be considered a pet. I would love to bring Fern into the house but I haven't because not only do I think a wild animal should not be confined to a house, I also have three humans in my home to be concerned about, two being kids.

Once I know she's settled in for the night, I visit the rest of my patients, checking their water pails then making sure none of the kennels are dirty. Once everything is as good as it can be, I check the heat then turn off the overhead lights, leaving only the multiple nightlights on. Before I leave, I turn on the Bluetooth to nature sounds, which seems to put the animals in a calm headspace. I have cameras all around the pole barn, inside and outside, so I pull the door closed, lock it, and set the alarm. Can't be too careful. I take a minute to glance up and am once again amazed at the amount of stars in the breathtaking midnight sky. There are no words to describe how stunning my view is tonight. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing but someone has to do it, so why not me.

Walking toward the house, the silence is usually relaxing, but tonight I feel like someone or something is watching me make my way to my house. All our animals are put up for the night, so yeah, it could be a wild animal but I'm probably just scaring myself. And I do have my firearm at my side, along with bear spray in my pocket. Finally, the huge whistle is around my neck. I make my way up the front porch with my keys already out. Quietly, I unlock the door and hear the beeping of the alarm. I shut and lock the door, then reach over, enter the code, and reset the alarm. I slip my shoes off then carry them to the mudroom. I stop and listen but don't hear a thing, which is good since I'm exhausted.

Making my way to the kitchen, I almost scream and pee my pants at the same time when I see my mom sitting at the table playing the solitaire game on her tablet.

"Damn it, Mom, I almost dirtied my pants. Why aren't you sleeping? You need rest."

"I know, beautiful, but can't sleep, so came down. Thought we could watch a movie but after looking at the camera, saw you had a situation and I started playing solitaire so I could make sure you got back in safely. Everything okay out there? Did you get your little girl fixed up?"

Sighing, I explain to my mom what Fern did as she stands slowly and grabs the kettle, putting it over a burner. I sink into one of the kitchen chairs, knowing she will not let me do this because she has this need to feel helpful and supportive. With everything that happened, for some reason she feels like she owes me, which is ridiculous. I mean, my God, she's my mom and best friend. After she sets me up with my own chamomile tea, she sits and neither of us says a word, we both just try to relax and enjoy the silence for what it's worth. When she asks me a question, I turn her way, confused.

"I said, Abigale, what are your plans with that amazing wolf dog? Doubt you'll keep her here, right?"

"Honestly, Mom, don't know. One thing I do know is she will be placed where she can have the best life. You know how close I am to having that additional pole barn put up, so then if I decide to keep any of the wolf dogs or wolves I have a safe place where they can live. But at the moment don't have to make a decision, as Fern is nowhere near healed from all of her wounds and trauma."

As we each talk about our day's events, she reaches into a Tupperware, pulling out a muffin, nope, looks like a double chocolate chip muffin, my mouth waters. Didn't realize how hungry I am until my eyes took in that gorgeous-looking piece of art on a paper plate. She places the plate covered in the muffin in front of me, and before that plate hits the table I'm tearing the liner off and taking a huge bite of heaven. I moan as all the flavors hit my tongue and watch a satisfied grin appear on Mom's face. She loves to take care of her family. I'm glad she finally took me up on my offer of coming here to Montana to live on my ranch with me. Well, Mom, my younger siblings, and her menagerie of fur babies. It's taken us a bit to settle and the plan is to eventually build Mom her own little cabin, but that's for another day to figure out.

"Holy crap, Mom, this muffin is probably the best I've ever eaten. The flavors are so rich and I love the faint taste of, I think, vanilla and is that coffee?"

She smiles huge and nods. Her dream has always been to open a bakery but life hasn't been kind to her as far as her dreams. My dad was a loser, and the kids' dad is also an asshole. Currently he's in the penitentiary serving time as he was involved with the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood chapter back home where they lived. Then right here something similar happened. It blew my mind when a chapter of the brotherhood was busted here in Timber-Ghost, Montana. When I called Mom, she filled me in about the jerk, telling me she was divorcing his ass. So that's when I told her to pack their crap, sell the house, and come out here for a new start. And for once, she actually listened to me. Thank God. I wish I could have helped her pack up and sell the house, but I have no one here I'd trust to take care of my pack. Montana isn't a wolf fan state. Well, to be honest, not everyone dislikes wolves just some ranchers, farmers, and the strange people who hate just to hate.

"So, Mom, how do you like working at Big?"

"Abigale, it's not bad. The manager of the bakery department is giving me some leeway so I've been using some of my own recipes, and the folks around here seem to be enjoying my treats. Time will tell but this will not be my forever job, that's for sure. Eventually want to be my own boss. Just like my daughter.'"

Mom starts telling me some funny stories as I consume my muffin and wash it down with some hot tea. When I'm finished, she cleans up and puts the mug in the dishwasher. We walk toward the bedrooms together, then I say goodnight and move quickly into the master. I drop clothes as I head toward the shower, which I turn on when within reach. My routine never changes as I promised myself I'd never go to bed smelling of wolves, even though I love those huge babies. After I wash and condition my hair, I quickly wash my body, then stand under the showerhead for a nice hot rinse to try and relax my overused muscles.

When I step out and reach for a huge bath towel, I wrap myself up before I squeegee the walls and glass. Don't want to let the hard water stain everything up. I quietly make my way to the closet, where I grab some sleep clothes before collapsing on the bed. Right before my eyes close as I drift into sleep, I pray that what I'm doing will help these poor animals that are so misunderstood. My perfect dream would be able to get the wolves and humans to live in peace together. Not sure that will ever come true, but a girl can hope.

Right?