A Sudden Stop on the Grassy Shoulder
The brown and white goat lay completely flat against the damp grass just inches from the highway blacktop.
Its eyes remained half-shut while passing cars whipped by, buffeting the tall weeds with gusts of wind.
A dark SUV pulled off onto the gravel verge, its tires crunching into the loose stones before coming to a complete halt.
A man stepped out of the driver’s seat and hurried down the grassy slope toward the motionless animal.
His eyes widened as he dropped to both knees and took in the massive cluster clinging to the goat’s side.
Dozens of bloated, black leeches covered a broad patch of white fur along the animal’s flank, pulsing tightly against its skin.
The goat barely lifted its chin, letting out a faint breath as the man rested an open palm against its neck.
Careful Work with Gloves and Forceps
The man reached into his vehicle and pulled on a pair of bright blue disposable latex gloves.
He uncapped a green plastic bottle and tilted it downward, letting a steady stream of clear liquid wash directly over the writhing cluster.
The fluid soaked into the dense fur, causing the dark parasites to loosen their tight grip on the skin underneath.
Picking up a pair of metal forceps, he leaned in close over the goat’s trembling ribs.
He gripped the head of the first parasite with the metal tips and pulled firmly until it detached from the flesh.
He dropped it into a clear plastic container resting in the grass beside his boots, then immediately reached back for the next one.
One by one, he extracted each dark creature, working methodically across the animal’s side until the entire patch of fur was clean.
He rubbed his gloved hand over the damp white coat, inspecting the bare skin to ensure not a single parasite remained attached.
Gaining Strength on the Roadside
The goat blinked and shifted its weight, slowly tucking its front legs beneath its chest to lift its head upright.
Its ears perked forward as the man reached into his pocket and poured a generous handful of feed pellets into his open palm.
He held his hand out toward the goat’s muzzle, keeping his fingers steady and low.
The animal nudged forward, extending its dark lips to vacuum up the dry pellets directly from the blue glove.
While it chewed, the man reached up with his other hand and gently stroked the base of its curved horns and along its soft brown ears.
The goat leaned into the contact, chewing eagerly as the man scattered another small pile of food onto the grass.
With a firm push from its hind legs, the goat stood up fully on all four hooves, shaking out its coat in the sunlight.
The man stood beside it holding a wide stainless steel bowl filled with fresh liquid.
The goat dipped its chin into the metal dish, drinking deeply while excess fluid splashed down over the green blades of grass below.
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