HITCH'ING A RIDE. [open!]

[MACABRE.]

There is no pain more felt by the veterinary staff than the knowledge of what was to come – and it was with a feeling of dread that he received the phone call that 8 American Pitbull puppies with suspected parvo were arriving at the center within the hour. There was no sure for puppies that had the deadly disease that caused diarrhoea and vomiting in the sickly puppy with many lasting only a matter of hours after the disease is contracted… but for this litter there was light at the end of the tunnel. If they were found to be ill, the owner (who has been in conflict with the shelter before) would be prosecuted without fail for the medical negligence of eight puppies meaning this would be the last suffering at the owner’s hands for animals all over the state. Martin adjusted his green latex gloves and sauntered over to the medicinal supplies closet with an oncoming feeling of dread.

It took less than 40 minutes for the puppies to arrive. All eight were emaciated and riddled with fleas. A quick check of their gums revealed they were all anaemic from the infestation and their nose and eyes were pouring with discharge. He picked up the sickest looking puppy and looked over her little body, brushing the fleas from her underbelly checking for any marks which thankfully there weren’t. There was a little faeces smeared on her underbelly apparently from lying in her own filth but other than that he felt a small throb of hope building within him, wondering if there was another cause of the puppies illness.. He passed the puppy over to the working field officer to hold while he withdrew blood from her scruff – noticing that that pup wasn’t ill enough to resist a weak squeal as the nib pierced her flesh he gave her a quick rub on the puncture once it was over and asked that she was returned to the truck while she was tested.

Chances were that if this puppy had parvo then the rest of the litter would have it too and due to the high risk factor that the disease brought she could potentially pass it on to all the other dogs in the shelter. He returned indoors and changed gloves while he processed the blood on a device similar to that of a pregnancy test. He waited nervously for the results to arrive… after two minutes the test turned blue. This pup was not infected by the virus meaning that she and her brothers and sisters could be brought in and treated for the first times in their lives. As he returned to tell the Officer the good news he considered the possible outcome if the puppies had been found to be beyond help. Would they become another pitbull statistic? Would their death be remembered when every day so many other puppies who were healthy and able were euthanized due to lack of space? It had him wondering… It had him thinking of another in-patient who was quickly outgrowing the kennel confinements due to the growing pitbull discrimination in Glenpark.

He spent several minutes simply stroking Hitch’s ears as the dog pressed movingly into his chest. Hitch was the patchy pit he had rescued from another pound who had also suffered through the pitbull panic and were bursting at the seams – they asked SCARS to take him because it would be a shame to put a dog down with such a high adoptability even if he was going to be a fighting dog. Big dark brown eyes stared up at him adoringly while Martin remained in silence. He was finished for work today and was left feeling happy but exhausted from the emotional strain of treating eight puppies that turned out to have been infested with internal parasites. What he needed was a happy face, a friendly lick and a chat with someone who wouldn’t fear Hitch while the three of them went for a little walk. Fishing in his pocket he dialled one of the few familiar faces he knew here… one who hopefully wouldn’t be freak out by a thirty-odd man calling her at 5pm on a Tuesday.

[Scarlet]

╰☆╮ L E S L I E ╰☆╮;

» Why can't they be like the one's that mean everything to me
» The warm and loyal, open and friendly
» It's not like I'm not trying
» 'Cause I'll give anyone a shot once

Leslie was never one to keep track of time. She enjoyed spending her time at work, and with her "dogs". Any dog that was in her care she took it upon herself to treat it as if it were her own pet, to love and adore. She barely noticed it was past 5pm, well past quitting time. But as mentioned, Leslie would rather spend her time at work doing good in the world than sitting at home wasting her life away sitting by the television. Leslie enjoyed the company the dogs gave her. After all, they needed her as much as she needed them. She couldn't lose her grin as she watched the male husky gazing up at her with full focus.“Good boy” Leslie praised to the young husky mix as he successfully overcame his antsy stance and completed his task for the day. Sit and stay would now be a permanent command in this dog’s obedience vocabulary. Leslie had rescued this dog only a few days prior and he had improved generously since. Handing him another treat, “no snap” she commanded then showed how impressed she was with his progress.

Ring Ring Ring.

Leslie looked over at her cell phone as its annoying ringtone was set off. The husky tilted his head curiously as he listened to the high pitched sound. Leslie smiled softly and shook her head as she walked over to answer her phone. The caller ID read: Martin Perez. Leslie wondered if the head veterinary had the results for the mutt in her custody. “Hello Dr. Perez, it’s a pleasure to hear from you” Leslie answered the phone with the utmost respect. Leslie was new to the office and had yet to find her place in the pecking order, unsure if she should refer to people on a first name basis. “Uh huh, okay. Well it could be worse, right? Okay, yes, I will get right on that”. Leslie was unsure if she should smile, frown, or remain straight faced. He’d called to inform her that the dog she’d rescued did in fact have heart worms and needed to be treated immediately. Once the treatment went into his system he would have to be crated until fullterm to make sure he did not hurt himself. If he over exerted himself in the play yard he might possibly cause a stroke; and for lack of better words, if a deceased worm were to get caught in his heart it could be fatal.

“Umm, okay. Yea sure let me just grab my things”. Leslie was confused at first by the doctor’s request. He’d asked her to join him on a leisurely walk in the park with his new adoptee, Hitch. “I’ll be there in about 10 minutes. See ya.” she said sweetly before hanging up the phone. Leslie didn’t usually go out of her way to join company with other employees, especially not a male. Leslie felt as butterflies reached her stomach. She was nervous? She’d never had the best luck with male figures in her life, romantically or strictly friendship, and tried to avoid them as often as possible. She knew the man was not asking her out on a date and she was comfortable with his act of gesture. But at the same time, she was puzzled by the fact of “why me?” She was not used to being singled out. More often than not she was the “tag along” friend who was invited because she happened to be standing in the circle when the idea was proposed.

Leslie smiled as she stroked the mutt’s fur, giving him another treat before returning him to his pen. “I will be back tomorrow buddy, I promise. Behave yourself, alright. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”. Leslie grabbed her keys, turned the lights off and went off to meet Dr. Perez at the park. Leslie realized she was hastily stepping out of her comfort zone, but for some reason she didn’t stop to question it. Something about this older man seemed to intrigue her. She heard from the grape vine he was divorced, so perhaps he was seeking out friendship. Someone he can go to the movies, dinner, and go to sports events with. Strictly platonic with no strings attached. Leslie could use a friend in this new town and quickly wanted to jump on that wagon if it were the case. Even if this ended in another train wreck, at least she could say she tried. Right?

Taking a deep breath, she parked her car and checked herself in the visor mirror. Every girl's guilty habit. No girl can resit checking their face and hair before meeting someone. Leslie tugged on the bottom of her white tshirt, adjusting it to a comfortable position. "Deep breath, stay calm." Quickly she found where Dr. Perez was waiting for her. “Hey!” She greeted the man, smiling an excited grin. She couldn't help but notice his striking body features. “And who is this handsome fella?” she asked as her eyes dropped to the pit who seemed to be sniffing her pants leg. She made an effort to greet the dog. Leslie knew the boundary of dogs therefore she did not feel threatened by him, but she still remained cautious for she did not not the limitations of this pitbull yet.

» And, I , I close my eyes
» And, I kiss that frog
» Each time finding
» The more boys I meet the more I love my dog

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ツ
» Word Count;; 873
» Comments;; hasty post, I apologize --
» Post Status;; Finished
» Song Lyrics;; Carrie Underwood - "More Boys I Meet" ♪ ♬