The vet turned away, then came back with tubing and an IV bag.“Put your thumb here.”He pointed to the bend of the dog’s front leg.“Be my tourniquet tonight.Lots easier on the guy.”
Jock locked his thumb and finger around the dog’s elbow, applying pressure where the vet said, his other hand stroking the dog’s muzzle and cheek.
Once the IV was started, Jock made to step away and stopped when the dog’s frame went tense, every muscle tight as if for flight.“Hey, hey.No.You’re a good boy.A real good boy.”
He crowded close, encircling as much of the dog as he could, cradling the animal against his chest.The dog didn’t cry out, or even whine, though Jock knew it had to hurt.The dog sucked in a big breath, and then sighed it out, head slipping sideways to lay over Jock’s arm.Underneath his palm, the dog’s heart beat on, strong and regular.
“I don’t know what kind of magic you have, but this is an excellent state for treatment.I can work around you, mostly, as long as you’re okay being the emotional support human.”The vet grinned as he took out various vials and tools.
“I’m good doing whatever helps this guy get better.”
“What’s the long-term plan for him?”
Jock shook his head.“No idea.I’ve got a big ole mastiff at home, or I’d take him in a heartbeat.”He adjusted his hold on the dog to free one hand.“But maybe.”He pulled out his phone and slowly unlocked it, then navigated to the texting app.“Just maybe.”
*Pretty Silly, I’m at a vet’s office with a badly injured pit bull.How do you feel about expanding our little family?*
Not expecting a fast response, he was caught off guard when the device rang in his hand.
“’Lo?”
“Jock, what’s happened to the dog?”Silly’s tone carried concern and a little humor.“What dog is it again?”
Fair question, since he volunteered at a no-kill shelter over in Slidell.They’d taken more than one senior dog on a day’s adventure, usually winding up on the beach, somewhere the dog could run without being on a leash or surrounded by concrete.
“I found him in an alley.Looks like chemical burns all over.He could hardly hold his head up when I found him.I called Ace to come pick him up, then followed them here to the vet’s office.He’s a gorgeous pitty boy, white with a brown nose, and beautiful blue and brown eyes.”
“Yes.”He could hear the humor strongly now.
“Yes, what?I didn’t—”
“Yes, bring him home when you can.Will he be able to be moved today?”
“We can’t bring him home.We’ve got Tank.”
“You think Tank won’t love some company?He gets bored when we’re both out of the house.This guy would give him a friend.”Silly paused.“It’d be good to give the old man a friend.”
That gentle nudge punched all the air out of Jock, and the dog lifted his head and whined, looking back at Jock with those eyes that seemed to see everything.He’s reacting to my emotions.If I’m the emotional support human, I need to do a better job.
“Heisan old man, isn’t he?”The specter of Tank’s inevitable final days rose up in front of him.I already lost him once, found him by luck alone, and that finding brought me a wealth of good days so far.I can’t lose him again.
“Oh, baby, I didn’t mean it like that.I just worry about Tank when we’re not here.I know between us we cover him with love nearly all day.Maybe this pit bull could take up the slack when we’re not home.”
“We don’t even know if this dog will be okay with Tank.”Now he was trying to talk himself out of this thing he hadn’t known he wanted until Silly offered it to him.“I won’t have Tank mauled.”
Ace snorted a laugh behind him.“I suspect Tank can hold his own.”
Jock twisted his neck to glare at the older man.“Peanut gallery.”On the phone, Silly’s laughter rang through bright and true.“He’s going to need a ton of care.”
“Peanut gallery here again.I happen to know Twisted would be highly offended if you insinuated your job at the garage was more important than taking care of this dog.”Ace stepped to the side when Jock reached back to try and whack him.“Ask him if you want an earful.Take his words at face value.He has no ulterior motive when it comes to men under his patch.”
“Okay, let’s say I bring Maynard—” Jock stopped himself and waited the half beat it took Silly to start laughing again.“I know.But he’s bad, baby.I don’t know what would happen if things go south.”
“I suspect Maynard is tougher than you’re giving him credit for.”She was still laughing.“Plus you already named him, my love.You’re in a tight spot with no way out.Just accept and let it happen.Baby, you’re the one who named him.”
Maynard whined softly, and Jock turned his attention back to the dog.“Shhh, boy.It’s good.You’re good.You’re going to be just fine.I won’t let it shake out any other way.”
“Tell Maynard I can’t wait to meet him.I’m still at the shop, but I’ll go home in an hour and take Tank for a good, long exhausting walk.Let me know if Maynard gets to come home today.”
