The Shining Cow — Alex James

Excerpt:Robbie whined and acted like his eyes were burning, as if he'd gotten dust or something even stranger into them....Zack Stewart stared sleepily into the bottom of his cracked coffee cup as his wife began to gather the breakfast dishes.Mrs. Stewart was a huge, methodical woman, seasoned to the drudgery of a farm wife. Quite methodically she'd arise every morning at 4:00 A.M. with her husband and each would do their respective chores until long after the sun had set on their forty-acre farm.You've jest got to find Junius today, Zack, Mrs. Stewart spoke worriedly, Lord only knows her condition, not being milked since yesterday morning.Yeah, I know, Ma, Zack said wearily as he rose from the table, I'll search for her again in the north woods, but if she ain't there this time, I give up.A dog suddenly howled outside. There was a brief instant when neither moved, then Zack suddenly exclaimed, It's Robbie! and dashed outside.In the light from the open doorway Zack saw the dog creeping along on his haunches, howling and whining, and scratching frantically at his tear-streaming eyes.