Page 46 of Redeeming Harmony

She shut off the car and climbed out as Nathan hurried over. “She’s in the backseat. I got her to walk to the car at Savina’s, but I don’t know if she can walk now.”

“That’s okay.” Nathan already had the door open, and he carefully eased Izzie out of the car. She whined but didn’t struggle when he lifted her in his arms. Harper ran to the clinic door and opened it for him.

As Nathan carried Izzie to the treatment area, Harper returned to the car and grabbed the kennel with her puppies from the front seat. By the time she walked into the back of the clinic with them, Nathan was already examining Izzie.

“I’ve got the puppies with a heating disc in the crate,” Harper said. “Should I give them back to Izzie?”

“Not just yet,” Nathan said. Harper watched as he checked Izzie’s gums. “Gums are a little paler and tackier than I’d like, but not terrible.”

He pulled up the skin on the back of her neck, watching how it tented before listening to her heart and lungs. “She’s dehydrated, but her heart and lungs sound good.”

Harper circled the table until she stood near Izzie’s head. She petted the panting dog’s head and scratched her throat, making a soft, soothing sound when Izzie whined as Nathan palpated her abdomen.

“It’s okay, sweet girl,” she said, scratching behind Izzie’s ears. “Be brave.”

Nathan had grabbed a tube of lubrication and pulled on a pair of sterile gloves. “Keep a good grip on her, please, Harper.”

Harper held on to Izzie as Nathan did the vaginal exam, murmuring more words of comfort as the dog panted and whined.

“Can you feel a puppy?” she asked.

“Yes, but it’s breech,” he said grimly as he stepped away from Izzie and removed his gloves. He dropped them in a trash can before petting Izzie’s flank. “This is a foster dog for Little Whiskers, yeah?”

“Yes. I talked to Rayna earlier, and she gave the okay to bring her to you.”

“Can you call her again and put her on speaker?” Nathan said.

“Yes.” Harper pulled out her phone and pressed Rayna’s number. “Do we need to do a C-section?”

“Maybe,” Nathan said as he palpated Izzie’s stomach.

The phone rang once before Rayna said, “Hey, Harper. How’s Izzie?”

“Hi. I’m here with Dr. Henshaw, and he wants to talk to you. You’re on speaker,” Harper said.

“Rayna, I believe a puppy is breech. I need to do radiographs to check the size and position of the puppy and see how many more puppies she has. I don’t feel any others, but I want to be certain. I’ll try to get the baby out without a C-section, but do I have your permission to go ahead with surgery if necessary?”

“Yes,” Rayna said. “Whatever you need to do. Listen, I’m on my way to the clinic, but I’m way the hell out in Fairfield County trapping a stray cat, so it’s going to be a while before I get there.”

“That’s fine,” Nathan said. “Just call Harper when you get here, and she’ll unlock the clinic.” He paused. “If you don’t mind staying to help, Harper. I can call Hal or -”

“I’m fine with it,” she said quickly. “I’ve helped Dad with pregnant dogs before at the clinic. Whatever you need, Nathan.”

“Okay. Rayna, we’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Nathan,” Rayna said.

Harper ended the call and shoved her phone back into her pocket. “I’ll turn on the x-ray machine.”

“Perfect. Once we’ve done the radiographs, we’ll get an IV started on Izzie,” Nathan said. He petted Izzie’s side with a gentle hand. “Don’t worry, girl, we’re going to help you with your babies.”

Twenty-five minutes later, the x-rays had been taken, Izzie had an IV with fluids running, and she was secured safely in one of their double wide cages. Harper joined Nathan as he studied Izzie’s scans on the computer screen.

“Just the one puppy left to deliver,” she said with relief.

He nodded. “Yes, and he looks about normal size, maybe even a little on the small side, which means I might be able to manipulate him or her into the proper position.”

“So, she wouldn’t need a C-section,” Harper said.

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