Page 20 of Second Act
Jessica put on sterile gloves before opening the door of the crate to find the dog curled in the corner on a towel. His oversized ears were folded back against his head, and he did nothing more than lift and drop his tail twice when Jessica reached in to pet him. “Hey, boy, I can tell you’re not feeling so great.”
She pulled the towel forward to bring the dog closer to her and pinched up his skin at his shoulders, frowning when it didn’t settle back in place immediately. “He’s very dehydrated. Let’s give him an IV of sodium chloride fluid. You want to prep the cephalic vein the way I showed you at the clinic?”
Diego’s face lit up. “Sure thing, Doc.”
Jessica pulled a tray out of her duffel bag and supervised while Diego laid out the equipment necessary to shave and sterilize Khonsu’s leg. The boy worked with careful but sure movements before shifting around to hold the dog and occlude the vein for Jessica to do her part. Once she had the catheter in the vein and firmly taped in place, she let Diego hook up the IV of electrolytes. Khonsu lay listlessly through it all.
“I wish he was being cooperative because he trusts us,” Jessica said, “but I’m afraid it’s because he’s weak.”
“Yeah, he took a turn for the worse all of a sudden.” Diego stroked the dog’s head with a look of concern.
“I’m going to give him an injection of Cerenia to prevent any more vomiting,” Jessica said. “Will you keep him still for me?”
Diego immediately moved into the proper position for immobilizing the dog. “Tiana’s been giving me lessons about how to hold an animal,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not so easy.”
“Tell me about it,” Jessica said, remembering their struggle with the big shepherd mix.
Khonsu didn’t react at all when Jessica gave him the injection. She muttered a mild curse under her breath before she could stop herself, but Diego just nodded. “He’s in rough shape. How come it’s hitting him so hard?”
“He must have some sort of immunodeficiency.” She glanced at her watch. “You should go home. You have school tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to leave him alone,” the boy said.
“He won’t be, because I’m staying here.” Diego still looked torn, so Jessica gave his shoulder a little push. “Go! Tomorrow is my day off, which means I can sleep late.”
The boy got to his feet with slow, reluctant movements.
“One more question,” Jessica said. “Are any of the other dogs showing symptoms?”
His expression lightened. “Not a one, Doc.”
“That’s because you caught it right away and isolated these two.” Although some of the dogs might actually have the giardia parasite without any outward indications. But Diego didn’t need to know that right now. “You should be very proud.”
The boy ducked his head, but she saw the pleasure on his face. “Thanks, Doc. I’ll tell Ms. Emily you’re staying.”
“Don’t forget to wash your hands!” Jessica dumped her own gloves before she pulled out her phone to call Aidan. “Damn it,” she said, when the phone showed no signal and no Wi-Fi. The thick cement walls of the basement closet must be blocking reception.
She walked out to the staircase and got a weak signal, so she texted her brother about her plan to spend the night at the Carver Center. His response was:You’re such a sucker, sis. I mean, such a good person.
She snorted, but his brotherly snark cheered her up.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Emily rounded the corner. “Khonsu must be bad if you’re staying the night,” she said, her kind face tight with worry.
“He’s severely dehydrated. For some reason, the giardiasis has hit him harder than normal. But he’s on an IV now, so he should perk up.” She hoped.
“I assume you don’t have to be with him every minute, so I’ve made up the cot in the nurse’s office for you to sleep on.” Emily gestured an apology. “It’s on the third floor, which means you’ll have a lot of steps to climb.”
The mention of a bed sent a wave of fatigue through Jessica. “I’d climb Mount Everest for clean sheets right now.”
“I know the feeling,” Emily said. “I’m heading home, but you have my number if you need anything. James, the night guard, is here. He loves the dogs, so he’ll be happy to help.”
“Does he clean up diarrhea?” Jessica asked with a grimace.
Emily laughed and waved good night as she started back up the stairs.
Visions of resting on a soft pillow danced in Jessica’s brain while she checked on Khonsu again. He still wouldn’t lift his head, but when she pinched up the skin on his neck, it settled back into place a little more quickly. “You’re getting hydrated, buddy,” she said, stroking his head. “Now you need to find some energy. Guess you don’t want to go out, huh?”
Shaq stood up and wagged his tail at the word “out,” so she swapped gloves and gave him some love. Then she trudged up three long flights of stairs.
