Page 92 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘He threw up and then fell over, and started panting like this,’ said Charlie. ‘He can’t get up.’

Atlas tried to get up, but his limbs were trembling.

‘Easy... I’m here, mate. Lie down.’ He gently coaxed his best mate to lie still as he dialled the local vet. ‘Come on, pick up. Pick up.’

‘Elsie Creek Vets.’

‘Ryan, are you at the campdraft? Or are you at your surgery?’ Over the phone Cap heard music and a crowd in the background.

‘I’m near the mechanical bull, trying to talk Cowboy Craig into a bet to ride the thing and not spill a drop of his beer.’ Ryan chuckled. ‘Where are you?’

‘As much as I’d love to be in on that action, I’ve got a dog down. I’m in the dogs’ tent. Other side of the stables.’

‘I know where it is. I’m on my way.’

‘Vet’s coming.’ Sliding his phone away, Cap patted his dog while checking out Fern, who was leaning against him. ‘It’s okay, Fern.’

‘It looks like lead poisoning to me,’ said Charlie.

Cap’s worry heightened, as his frown deepened. ‘Lead? How is that even possible? I only know of lead that builds up but that takes time. The only lead I know is in old paint.’

‘Liquidised lead, given in a sudden dose causes trembling limbs, panting, vomiting, and frothing at the mouth. I know thesigns.’ Charlie’s grey eyes were adamant, that Cap believed the old stockman.

‘Pop, what’s wrong?’ Bree ran up with her large leather handbag.

‘Lead poisoning. Look at him.’

Bree rushed into the pen and checked over Atlas. ‘How could this happen? They’ve all been here.’

‘It doesn’t matter how, we’ve gotta race the clock, kid. Have you still got that turmeric on you?’

Bree began rummaging through her bag. ‘Never leave home without it.’

‘What does turmeric do?’ Mia hovered over their shoulders. ‘I’ve only used it for cooking.’

‘Turmeric has lots of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for humans and dogs.’ Bree rummaged through her bag and dragged out a simple spice jar containing orange powder. ‘May I, Cap? It’s only a short-term solution until you can get the dog to Ryan.’

‘What will you do?’

‘I’ll rub it on his teeth. It’ll make him lick it, hopefully ingesting it quicker to slow down the poisoning process. I swear it helps.’

‘How do you know this?’ Dex stood outside the pen, leaning against the rails with Ryder beside him.

‘Because we lost our dogs to lead poisoning.’ Charlie ripped off his hat. ‘Not again. We can’t go through this again, Bree.’

‘It’s okay, Pop. Atlas is healthy. He’s young, and we’ve caught it quickly.’ Bree sprinkled the bright orange powder into her hands and brushed it against the dog’s teeth and upper lip. The dog sneezed, but she did it again. ‘Good boy.’

He licked at her cupped hands holding cold water from her water bottle. ‘There you go, Atlas. What about Fern?’

Cap checked over Fern, her eyes clear, her nose moist and cool. ‘No obvious signs.’

‘That’s the problem. Lead poisoning can affect a dog in a day or an hour. Do you want to dose Fern?’ Bree held out the spice jar. ‘I swear it won’t hurt them. In fact, they recommend a small daily dose in their food to improve their overall health. I used to put it in the dog stew I’d make for ours. Ask Ryan. He was the one who recommended it to us as a bush medicine.’

‘And I know plenty of bushies who swear by it.’ Charlie worried his bottom lip.

Cap let Bree sprinkle the powder into his palm, then applied it to Fern’s teeth. ‘I’m so sorry, girl.’

The cattle dog sneezed and gagged.

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