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I’m always uncomfortable when someone—especially a friend—is angry. They don’t even have to be angry with me for my heart to race a little.
    Brenna tries to calm Maggie down. “Okay, well . . . I’m sure your grandmother will explain everything,” she says. “Let’s sit down and chill a minute.”
    â€œThey’re phasing us out! Gran and Dr. Gabe. Don’t you see?” Maggie snaps at Brenna.
    â€œNo, I don’t see,” Brenna says. “Why don’t you tell me what you think is going on?”
    But before she can do that, Dr. Mac walks in and shuts the door firmly behind her.
    â€œMaggie. Girls. I’m sorry that Melissa’s arrival came as such a surprise. But this, you’ll see, is a very good thing.”
    Maggie looks up and scowls. This is the worst. It’s so awkward to be around someone who is being disrespectful. Maggie is my good friend, but I wish I was anywhere but here right now. It’s embarrassing. But as that thought clears my head, a new one pushes in and takes its place. Our jobs at Dr. Mac’s Place might be over.
    Dr. Mac says, “Maggie, I would appreciate some respect and some patience while I explain the decision that Dr. Gabe and I have come to.”
    â€œAre you shutting down the Vet Volunteer program?” I ask, over the loud barking of Gretel.
    â€œOf course not,” Dr. Mac answers.
    â€œPsh,” Maggie snorts. I step back, lean against the door, and grip the doorknob. It’s cold in my hand.
    â€œMaggie, when haven’t I told you the truth?” Dr. Mac asks, walking over and shushing Gretel. Maggie just shrugs, arms still crossed over her chest.
    I’m sure the dogs are barking because they can tell how tense we all are.
    Dr. Mac says, “This may not be the best place to have this discussion. Give me a few minutes to finish up with Melissa, and we can have a calm conversation. I assure you—”
    The door I’m leaning against is suddenly pushed open.
    â€œUm, sorry to interrupt,” Melissa says, poking her head through the doorway, “but you have a bit of an emergency out here.”
    We all rush out. In the clinic there are two little girls and two adults; each of the adults is carrying a large dog that looks like a husky. Both dogs, as well as one of the adults, are bleeding. The dogs are also snarling.
    â€œTell me what happened,” Dr. Mac says quickly,leading the way toward the Dolittle Room. We all follow. My heart races.
    Just as the woman holding a husky is about to respond, another woman comes into the clinic with a pet carrier.
    Dr. Mac says, “Brenna, why don’t you get the intake started here?” She points to the woman with the pet carrier, who nods and smiles at Brenna. Her problem must not be as bad as whatever this is with the dogs.
    The lady with the dog says, “Our dogs got into a fight, and when we tried to break it up, Elsa bit Jerry.”
    This is one of my worst fears: large, fighting, snarling, biting dogs.
    â€œWhich dog is Jerry and which is Elsa?” Dr. Mac asks.
    â€œJerry is my husband,” the lady says. “I’m Junie.”
    â€œHello,” Jerry says, attempting to raise one hand while still holding one of the dogs.
    â€œOkay, we’ll get this straightened out. But first, we’re going to need separate exam rooms. Jerry, take your dog in there,” Dr. Mac says, pointing to the Herriot Room. “And Junie, take your dog in here. Let’s get them up on the tables.”
    Everyone does what they’re told. Because the exam rooms are right across from each other, Dr. Macstands in the hall between them giving orders.
    â€œAll right, Melissa, I know you’re not exactly on the payroll yet, but can you give us a hand?”
    Melissa quickly nods and walks into the Herriot Room when Dr. Mac points to it. Maggie looks like she’s ready for a fight. I grab a clipboard to