Chapter 26: my monsters
Kaybri thought about the one thing that always calmed her down when she was agitated. It had always been the dogs.
“Would you like to meet Phoenix?” Kaybri motioned with her arm for the group to follow her to the dog’s kennel.
The golden retriever stood up and appeared ecstatic to have visitors. Her reddish-blond coat was full and lustrous, and she appeared happy and healthy. Knowing the dog was well behaved, Kaybri opened the cage door and allowed her to come out and mingle. The HED people made a big fuss over her, and the dog enjoyed the attention. Kaybri heard a few comments along the lines of, “Aw, poor thing needs a real family.”
But Kaybri soldiered on. “If all goes well, Phoenix will give us this farm’s first litter. She is one of the breeding dogs we were able to save when we dismantled the farms’ breeding program.”
“Which means Thomas Stoltzfus will be breeding dogs,” one of the HED members barked.
“Mr. Stoltzfus has agreed to breed dogs humanely. This, for example, is the size and type of kennel recommended by the AVA for breeding dogs whether done commercially or in one’s home.”
“There are already too many dogs that need homes. No one should be breeding dogs until all existing dogs have homes, and maybe not even then,” a man in the group cried out.
“We all know that isn’t possible. Breeding dogs is legal, whether we like it or not. And not everyone wants a rescue dog,” Kaybri said, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice. These people just didn’t seem to live in the real world. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
“Well, they should take what’s available. All dogs need loving homes,” he continued.
Kaybri held up her hand to halt a barrage of questions suddenly being shouted in her direction. “All dogs should have loving homes, of course. Maybe with more education, especially from groups like yours, we will be able to convince more families to adopt rescued animals.”
Noah stepped up to take another turn at bat. “We are here to make progress, to compromise, and to rid the world of an abhorrent situation. My family will be operating one of the most humane and well-administered breeding facilities in the country. More importantly, we hope to set up a model other breeders will emulate. We expect that with the help of the Amish Council, many Amish farmers will follow my father’s lead. We never want to see another family care for a dog that becomes ill due to poor breeding conditions.”
The crowd was quiet while he spoke, and Kaybri even noticed some nods of approval. She heard one woman whisper to another, “He’s quite handsome.”
“It is Mr. Stoltzfus’s goal that his family’s name be associated with the highest quality dogs,” Kaybri said proudly.
An HED member stood and addressed the group. “We’re not here to determine whether Thomas Stoltzfus is capable of breeding healthy dogs. We’re here to see that he is punished for what he has done.”
Kaybri saw the pain on Noah’s face at those words.
Judge Thompson stepped out in front of the group. “I have something you all need to see.” She reached into her briefcase and removed a stack of 5x7 photographs. Kaybri got nervous. She had no idea what was coming next or how it would affect this crowd.
The judge handed out about five photos among the HED members. “You would be right if there was only one guilty party in these proceedings. But the dogs and the families that bought them were not the only ones to suffer.”
“But…” one of the HED members said.
“The damage you or others did to this girl and her family are also horrible.” Judge Thompson spoke with a tone as harsh as that being used by the most judgmental of the HED members.
Kaybri stepped closer to get a look at one of the photographs. It was a color image of Eva that showed the side of her burned face before it had healed.
Noah said, “That’s my cousin, Eva. She’s as sweet and innocent as they come. Only fourteen years old.”
“I didn’t…” another of the HED members started to say.
Kaybri tried to keep her tone as gentle as possible when she responded. “Even if you didn’t do it yourself, you encouraged members of your group to take actions that endangered the lives of the animals and of the Stoltzfus family.”
“I…” a HED member began to speak but was interrupted by Judge Thompson.
“Whether you realize it or not, you are being offered a truce. The future will be brighter and there will be one less puppy mill. Eventually, there will be no puppy mills in the Lancaster region and beyond. If you choose not to see the wisdom of what is transpiring here, then I am prepared to have the district attorney bring charges against your organization for child endangerment, trespassing, destruction of property, and attempted murder.”
Kaybri said a silent prayer of thanks for Judge Thompson for not shrinking from this battle.
“Take your best shot,” shouted the tiny woman who’d been so hostile earlier. “So be it. I don’t think you understand how long you will be in court, what it will cost all of you financially, and how your reputation in the community will suffer if this girl’s injuries are made public. It is my belief that you will see the wisdom of what is being done here, and I suggest you see it sooner rather than later.”
Kaybri made a mental note to send the judge a bouquet of flowers.
But a judge could only do so much to bring about harmony in a community. Kaybri was hoping no one else would have to be hauled into court. There had to be a better way.
She pulled Teri aside and asked her if they could speak privately. Teri nodded, and Kaybri asked the judge to “entertain” the group for a few minutes while they stepped outside the barn.
“Teri, we’re getting nowhere. Your members are so angry, they’re going to sabotage all of the good things we’re doing here.”
“I think I created a monster,” Teri said, dropping her head into her hands. “These people are fanatics. I know you think I am one too. But I’m starting to see that we can do something good here. These people can only see things in terms of black and white. I don’t know how to reprogram them.”
Kaybri was having a hard time trusting Teri after what happened the last time. But she couldn’t help but feel that something really was different this time. “What do you say we suspend the legal proceedings for three more months to see how the renovations of the farm proceed and to inspect the living conditions of the dogs once it is fully operating?” Kaybri asked.
“I’ll try to make that work.”
When they returned to the group, Teri addressed her members and explained the new plan. “I’m pleased with the progress here, and I believe this is the best course of action for all of us. Then she turned to the judge and asked if she could suspend the legal proceedings for ninety days.
“Absolutely. I can also tell you, Teri, that you and only you have my permission and the Stoltzfus family’s permission to visit this farm to monitor what is going on. Court adjourned.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Teri responded.
Kaybri saw Noah leading Phoenix back into her kennel, so she wandered over to say goodbye and see if he was okay.
“That was rough. I’m sorry these people were so rude.”
“We got through it,” he said as he stroked the dog behind her ears. Then he looked up at Kaybri. There was a gentleness in his eyes she hadn’t seen in a long time. “You were forceful and in control. I was impressed.”
Kaybri let the compliment wash over her. She didn’t want to push anything with him, so she simply said, “Thanks. I did my best.” She turned and walked out of the barn and headed for her truck. It occurred to her as she walked away that even if Noah would never be her partner in life, she would still be so happy if she simply earned back his respect. That meant everything to her.
On the driveway she found Teri and her group by the vans having some sort of impromptu conference. She heard shouting and angry comments. Eventually, she heard Teri tell her group that HED’s activities were suspended. The grumbling continued as the various members climbed into the vans. When they were all inside, Teri slammed the doors shut while she remained outside.
Teri sprinted over to Kaybri and started to climb into the passenger seat of her truck. “Can I get a ride to the clinic? They’re giving me a headache with all of their complaints.” She shook her head. “Save me from my monsters.”