[ScarletFeather11]

Day 16

I leaned back into Ren's arms as we watched Ranger slowly take in his surroundings. We had moved him into the indoor arena for tonight since it was going to storm. We had put in a water trough and food trough to keep him fed and watered. He seemed content with the place. He snorted every now and then as he looked over at us.

"What boy?" I asked the spotted gelding as he tilted his head in response.

"He's an interesting horse," Ren chuckled as he kissed my cheek.

I nodded with a giggle, "He is indeed. I love him either way though."

Ren nodded with a smile and kissed my cheek. He took my hand though when it thundered outside and led me out of the arena. I locked up the inside so Ranger wouldn't escape then we jogged on to the house. Ren walked me inside then we went straight to the living room after greeting my parents. We sat back on the couch and put a movie on to pass the time while it stormed outside.
All of the horses were tucked in their stalls while Ranger was settled back in the arena, hopefully being a good horse and not tearing up everything inside.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 17

Last night Ranger had done fine in the arena for the night. I was happy with him for being so good during a severe thunderstorm. I walked him out to the field, letting him loose. I kissed his cheek before shutting the gate and walking off to start doing my chores. I hooked a lead rope up to Bo and walked him around along with Pepper. The two were pretty calm so I could easily lead both of them around.

"When's the vet coming to see Ranger dear?" my father asked as he rode up on Stormy.

"She's coming the day after tomorrow to see Ranger. She called me last night and said from how Ranger has been acting he could have an infection or something wrong with his kidneys or something close to that," I answered.

He nodded as we walked together, well he rode, "Ahh. I had a horse like him when I was younger. He had an infection and something wrong with his leg."

I nodded, "Ranger doesn't have anything wrong with him on the outside. Me and Ren checked the other day, felt his legs, checked his hooves, all of him. He's fine."

My father nodded and talked with me over a few things while I kept walking the horses out to their fields. Eventually we finished our conversation and I was left to hang with Ranger. I sat on the gate with a sketchpad and decided on drawing him for today since I finished up with my chores. Ranger was grazing contentedly while I drew him happily.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 18

"Ranger," I cooed softly as I calmed him down.

We were trying again to work him with his stall but honestly we were failing. He just wanted to kick and move. It's like he can't stay still. I don't understand while he kicks only his stall. He doesn't kick his trailer and he doesn't kick the fence or shower. It's only his stall. At least tomorrow the vet would be out and see what was the matter with my gelding. Hopefully it isn't anything too serious.

"Take him for a walk December. Let him cool off. Don't try it anymore for today," My father swiftly said as I rubbed my horse's head.

I nodded and led Ranger out for a walk around the farm. He kept alert, afraid he'd be put back in the small space. I kissed his cheek as I patted his neck, "Easy boy. Were not putting you back in there."

He whinnied softly and kept walking with me, keeping himself alert either way. I hoped he'd be alright tomorrow with his visit from the vet. I didn't want him to freak out or be diagnosed with something bad. Hopefully he'd be alright with her.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 19

Dr. Claire was silently examining Ranger while I rubbed his cheek softly to keep him calm. She did a few things on him like taking his blood, getting samples, etc. I wasn't happy with his results from his appointment. My brown eyes were hectic while I glared at my horse's vet.

"So you're telling me he's in need of surgery?" I asked with a stern voice.

"I'm sorry December but he has kidney stones in his kidneys," Dr. Claire answered. "He's passing small ones but there must be a larger one that he just can't pass. I'll schedule his surgery in a week. It should take him about two weeks to recover from it. His kicking should stop after. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine after. Again I'm sorry December."

I sighed with a nod and looked at my horse, kissing his nose gently, "You'll do fine boy. I promise you that."

He nickered softly and nuzzled my shoulder. I slowly walked him back out to his field and let him go. He went straight to grazing while I gazed over him silently. My mind was on my horse the rest of the day.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 20

I groomed Ranger gently while he ate. I was trying to spend as much time with him as I could before he got ready to leave and go into surgery at Dr. Claire's. Believe me I wasn't happy with it but I didn't want him to die from it. I could never forgive myself if I made him suffer. Ren was quietly fixing up Ranger's stall early for when he came back from his surgery. He'd be staying there for a week before we'd slowly ease him back outside into the field.

"So how are you dealing with everything?" Ren asked as he glanced over at me.

I shrugged softly, "I'm nervous and upset that Ranger has to go through this. It worries me greatly you know? I worry more about him kicking while he's bandaged up."

"I'm sure that won't happen December. Dear you have to look on the bright side," my boyfriend answered softly. "He'll quit kicking after at least."

I nodded as I listened, "I guess you're right Ren."

He kissed my cheek softly as he walked over, his arms curling around my waist, "Just think of the bright things."

I nodded as I went back to grooming Ranger silently.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 21

I was out shopping with Ren at Tractor's Supply for Ranger. I had wanted to get him treats, more grain since we were low, a new bucket, and a new halter. Ren needed to get a few more things for Ranger's stall. I leaned against him softly, "What halter should we get him? He has a blue one already."

"I say the light green one. It looks like it would fit him well," Ren answered as he grabbed the green halter.

I nodded in approval, "I like it too."

Ren set it in our basket then walked me around the store as we grabbed the rest of the stuff on our list. I grabbed money out of my wallet from my purse to help pay. Ren and I paid then walked out to his truck. We loaded up everything into the back then got into the driver and passenger's seats. I buckled up swiftly when he started driving us back to my house.

[ScarletFeather11]

Week 3 Report

Ranger this week has had it quite rough! Hopefully he'll do better in the upcoming weeks.

~Ranger has to have surgery
~Ranger is doing well with people
~He should stop kicking after his kidney stone is taken out
~He's very gentle with everyone

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 22

I slowly loaded up Ranger into the trailer to take him to Claire's. She wanted him early so she could get him used to his surroundings before he went in for surgery. I shut up the trailer then climbed into the passenger seat since Ren was driving. I slid my hand into one of his as he drove us to my horse's vet's.

~An Hour Later~

Soon enough we pulled up in front of the vet's home where she had a large barn in the back where she kept her patients. In the barn was also the operating room where all horses went through surgery. She was the best of the best out here and she knew how to treat a horse right.

I slowly unloaded Ranger and led him over to an empty paddock. I let him inside then made my way into the house towards the counter where Dr. Claire's husband settled.

"Ranger is here," I simply said.

"Let me just check him in then you can go on home December. You're welcome to see him anytime these next few days until his surgery then he'll be brought home."

I nodded then left the house, jogging back to Ren, soon driving away after saying goodbye to my horse.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 23

I sat on the gate silently as I gazed over my horse. I drove up here this morning to check on him and watch him to see if he was alright. I had put his new halter on him and I say he looked rather fashionable in it. I smiled when he pranced over and stuck his head on my lap. I kissed his head sweetly, "Hey boy."

He whinnied in reply as I softly talked to him. He only would whinny in reply as I chatted softly to him. He was my best friend and he'd always would be.

[ScarletFeather11]

Day 24

I had been out with friends all day to keep my mind off Ranger. I was going over later after I got home to spend the night with him. I felt pretty bad for him having to go through this and it put pain in my heart thinking of how he had to go through this. At least he wasn't alone since I spent at least an hour with him everyday, if not even more. He was on my mind both day and night.

I checked the time then looked to my friends, "I have to get going. I have a night to spend with Ranger."

Dylan raised a brow, "December you can't leave now. You'll miss out on the arcade with us."

I sighed, "I have to go. I'm sorry. This weekend we can go again. I just have to be with Ranger."

They all nodded before I took off out of the mall straight to my truck. I climbed in and drove down the road straight to Dr. Claire's, after an exception of gathering all of my overnight things from my house. After an hour I soon pulled into the driveway and turned off my truck. I grabbed a few treats and jogged over to the gate to see Ranger. I smiled gently and rubbed his head as I fed him treats as he galloped up to me.

"Hey boy," I smiled softly as I kissed his forehead.

I hung out with him for a while, just him and me. I laid out in the field beside him, gazing up at the stars the rest of the night.