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Description
15 hours earlier
The last day before the new year had been a difficult day of highs and lows for the staff at Meadow Lark Stables. That morning Caroline had announced that, due to financial problems, they were going to have to sell four horses from their herd. Everyone had been shocked, they hadn't realized the stable hadn't pulled in as much money as they'd spent. Then, when she'd announced the horses she'd decided to sell, she let them know if they did not make enough money from the sales they would have to sell Rina as well. Sean especially had been crushed by that, they could only hope it didn't come down to selling her.

After that announcement everyone had done their best to go about their business but it had been difficult to stay focused. The cloud of sorrow hung heavy until Adelia mad her daily check up with Ritz. She and Lyric had immediately come out of the stable and run to tell Caroline the exciting news. Ritz was due to foal within the next 48 hours!
While no one could easily forget that they would have to part ways with a few horses, the thought of a new foal immediately brightened the mood. In just a relatively short amount of time they would get to see Ritz's beautifuly baby.

Present
It was just after 3 am and Wesley, who was taking his turn watching the cameras, noticed that Ritz was showing obvious signs of the later stages of labor. As quickly as possible he paged Lyric, Caroline, and Adelia. The three of them met him at Ritz's foaling stall, bundled for the incredibly cold night, luckily the heaters were working well. They had all previously agreed that only a handful of essential people should be present for the birth. The second thing they decided was that unless Ritz or the foal was in distress they wouldn't enter the stall. These were both to prevent causing Ritz unnecessary stress.

After a few short hours of labor the mare heaved one last time and birthed her foal. Adelia and Lyric both quickly entered the stall, the vet went to check on the foal while Lyric kept Ritz calmed.
"It's a colt!" Adelia announced to Wesley and Lyric. Caroline, who had known since the ultrasound said, "I had plenty of time to think it over and have decided that his name will be Aristocrat's Bluff."
"It's a wonderful name," breathed Wesley as he quickly sent out a mass text to the other staff members.

"Hmm," a quizical noise came from Adelia as she checked the colt's face.
"What's wrong?" Lyric asked, stroking Ritz's nose.
"He has severe cataracts on both of his eyes." Dread filled everyone's stomach at those words.
"Can we surgically remove them?" Caroline asked softly.
Adelia examined Bluff's eyes for a bit longer before responding, "With surgery he should regain full sight in his left eye. However, I'm afraid he will be almost completely blind in his right."
Wesley ran his hand through his hair agitatedly, "What do we do?" he asked.
There was a pause as everyone looked at the beautiful Thoroughbred foal.
"We love him anyway," Lyric answered.

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Gah! I love this foal so much!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Horse references: link | link |

MLS/Characters/Bluff/Ritz/Art © =ShadowRaven1

Description
15 hours earlier
The last day before the new year had been a difficult day of highs and lows for the staff at Meadow Lark Stables. That morning Caroline had announced that, due to financial problems, they were going to have to sell four horses from their herd. Everyone had been shocked, they hadn't realized the stable hadn't pulled in as much money as they'd spent. Then, when she'd announced the horses she'd decided to sell, she let them know if they did not make enough money from the sales they would have to sell Rina as well. Sean especially had been crushed by that, they could only hope it didn't come down to selling her.

After that announcement everyone had done their best to go about their business but it had been difficult to stay focused. The cloud of sorrow hung heavy until Adelia mad her daily check up with Ritz. She and Lyric had immediately come out of the stable and run to tell Caroline the exciting news. Ritz was due to foal within the next 48 hours!
While no one could easily forget that they would have to part ways with a few horses, the thought of a new foal immediately brightened the mood. In just a relatively short amount of time they would get to see Ritz's beautifuly baby.

Present
It was just after 3 am and Wesley, who was taking his turn watching the cameras, noticed that Ritz was showing obvious signs of the later stages of labor. As quickly as possible he paged Lyric, Caroline, and Adelia. The three of them met him at Ritz's foaling stall, bundled for the incredibly cold night, luckily the heaters were working well. They had all previously agreed that only a handful of essential people should be present for the birth. The second thing they decided was that unless Ritz or the foal was in distress they wouldn't enter the stall. These were both to prevent causing Ritz unnecessary stress.

After a few short hours of labor the mare heaved one last time and birthed her foal. Adelia and Lyric both quickly entered the stall, the vet went to check on the foal while Lyric kept Ritz calmed.
"It's a colt!" Adelia announced to Wesley and Lyric. Caroline, who had known since the ultrasound said, "I had plenty of time to think it over and have decided that his name will be Aristocrat's Bluff."
"It's a wonderful name," breathed Wesley as he quickly sent out a mass text to the other staff members.

"Hmm," a quizical noise came from Adelia as she checked the colt's face.
"What's wrong?" Lyric asked, stroking Ritz's nose.
"He has severe cataracts on both of his eyes." Dread filled everyone's stomach at those words.
"Can we surgically remove them?" Caroline asked softly.
Adelia examined Bluff's eyes for a bit longer before responding, "With surgery he should regain full sight in his left eye. However, I'm afraid he will be almost completely blind in his right."
Wesley ran his hand through his hair agitatedly, "What do we do?" he asked.
There was a pause as everyone looked at the beautiful Thoroughbred foal.
"We love him anyway," Lyric answered.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gah! I love this foal so much!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Horse references: link | link |

MLS/Characters/Bluff/Ritz/Art © =ShadowRaven1