Risk Factors. Calisa Rhose

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ often made a person react stronger than necessary when it came to their beloved pet. Even after all the little four-legged ones she’d delivered, Viv still felt a sense of awe at new life, human or animal.

      It was the one of the times she thanked her parents for leading her to this line of work. The rest of the time… Why did she work so hard to make them proud of her? What did it matter? Viv did what she did because she wanted to make animals more comfortable and happy, not to please her dad. No, definitely not for that reason. If that ever became the driving force, she’d sell out and join Uncle Max in Arizona.

      She pushed those thoughts away and focused on her patient. “How old is she? Is this her first litter?”

      “Tabby’s four, and no, it’s not her first litter. It’s her third. I sell her babies on the Inter Net,” she said the word as two, while glowering at Viv. Did the woman expect her to expound on the evils of unknown certainties for pets sold over the Internet?

      Viv decided to not let her down, while still giving her the benefit of doubt. “I’m sure you research the new owners before letting the kittens go to an unknown future. I think that’s a wise approach when re-homing defenseless animals in a world filled with such cruel intentions.” A few times during school she’d seen unconscionable atrocities that almost made her change careers.

      Her parents had pushed her to stay the course and become a source of safety for such mistreated animals. Actually, their disgust at her perceived cowardice convinced her to push on. Daily. Uncle Max’s support and love made perseverance the right decision.

      Elsbeth glared as Viv set up the ultra-sound machine.

      “Young lady, I don’t sell my babies to strangers. I’m sure that’s what people might do in the city you’re from. I have a regular customer base, a small store in Saint Louie. My sister, Matilda, owns it and finds loving homes for all my babies. I email pictures for the customers to pick from before I send the cats to Mattie.”

      Viv smiled at the way she pronounced St. Louis. At least the adoptions weren’t as bad as some methods. Hopefully the sister of this sour woman took great care in adopting out the kittens. “Good, much better than uncertainty of strangers. Now, let’s see if we can determine what’s going on with Tabitha.” She smeared a glop of clear gel on the nose of the probe and asked Elsbeth to hold the cat firmly while she moved the camera over the tabby’s full belly. Being so late in term made it impossible to determine the number of kittens, but active movement indicated a good outcome.

      The tiny camera relayed images onto the portable monitor and Viv frowned, focusing attention on the left side. Oh, dear. “I think I see Tabitha’s problem. It would take an X-ray to be sure at this stage of the pregnancy, but I think I see a dead kitten tangled in the umbilical cord, blocking the birth canal. X-rays can be harmful to all the babies, so I’d rather do a cesarean rather than risk ill health to the rest.”

      “Oh, my. Will it hurt Tabby?”

      No matter how gruff and sour the woman acted toward her, it was apparent Elsbeth cared deeply for the feline between them, and that warmed Viv’s heart. She smiled at the older woman, who seemed frail suddenly. “Not at all. It’s a simple surgery to save the healthy kittens and Tabitha. It won’t take longer than thirty minutes, if you want to wait out front.”

      “Yes, I’ll wait. Will Tabby be okay to care for the kittens? I’m too old to hand feed a litter of babies and run the post office.”

      “It will be fine. I’ll do a side cut so it shouldn’t interfere with nursing, and animals generally have a high tolerance for pain in these circumstances. Their natural instincts take over, and you most likely won’t even know if she feels any discomfort.”

      This fact in animals always amazed Viv. Rarely did the four-legged counterparts abandon their children the way humans did. Even in pain, a mother animal would feed her babies to ensure survival of the species.

      After seeing the woman to the lobby, Viv carried the cat to her surgical station. Poor thing was in too much pain to fight, and went under anesthesia easily. A small cut in the left edge of the abdomen wall allowed Viv to remove the dead kitten and five squirmy ones in various colors. It would be a few minutes before the cat awoke, so after laying the cat in a cage with her new family, Viv went to speak to Elsbeth Crenshaw.

      * * * *

      It was close to five o’clock and Viv wanted to go home. Winter hadn’t reached the Midwest yet, but from September through October the temperatures often dipped and dove sporadically, before diving for the long winter ahead. There’d been a slight chill in the air that morning and she hoped for a few more weeks of warmth before harsh weather moved in.

      She looked forward to a hot soak in the bathtub, but Skittles was due for pick-up first. Connor had assured her he’d pick her up, or have his father get her before five. She glanced at her watch again. Four-fifty-six. She didn’t mind staying late if she needed to; it would be a shame to leave the nervous animal alone another night.

      She opened the small closet to put the dust mop away.

      “Hello.”

      With a start, she spun and her hand caught the broom handle on her way around. Gasping, she grabbed uselessly, horrified as the cleaning tool flew sideways from the closet. In slow motion she saw it shoot out against Connor’s shoulder and fall with a sharp snap onto the tile floor.

      “Oh! I’m so–so sorry! Are you hurt?” Instant heat rushed up her neck and she bent to reclaim the errant broom to shove into the closet. She slammed the door and leaned against it on a sharp breath.

      “I’m fine. You worried your killer broom might attack again? You might consider putting a lock on the door,” he said with a crooked smile.

      Puzzled, Viv looked around and realized with total humiliation how it appeared she’d trapped the broom inside the closet–when in actuality, she wanted to climb through the door beside the instrument and hide.

      “Of course not. That would be silly. I didn’t expect you right now.”

      “It’s two minutes of five. I told you I’d be here for Skittles. Is it too late?”

      Right. The skunk. “No. I’m sure she’s more than ready to go home. Do you have the pet carrier to put her in?” She probably didn’t need to ask when Connor stood empty-handed before her.

      He lowered his head and she knew he’d forgotten it, fought back a smile at his forgetfulness. “Sorry. I drove straight from work and didn’t think about it.”

      “No worry. I have one you can borrow.” Which meant he’d have to see her again. She’d definitely need to see him again.

      “Thank you. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”

      “Oh, there’s no rush. I keep a few on hand for emergencies.” She led him back to the cage where the skunk still huddled, and got a carrier while he opened the cage to retrieve his daughter’s pet. As he lifted the black fur ball out, Viv set a pink case next to him.

      He hissed under his breath and almost let the animal loose. Viv opened the cage and held it upright for him to lower the skunk down inside and shut the door. Once he stood with the pet taxi, she detected a smear of red on one finger.

      “She bit you?” Skunk bite, rabies, germs…

      “It’s СКАЧАТЬ