Chapter 12: Instinct.
If an animal does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence. - Will Cuppy
Animals are so much simpler than man as they are not plagued by the doubts and the intrinsic need to have a purpose which is a characteristic of the human race. They seek only simple biological imperatives: they hunt enough food to survive; they seek shelter for themselves and their young, procreation to ensure the continuity of the species and defense against bigger predators.
Men are the only creatures that kill for pleasure.
They are also the only ones that mate for pleasure too.
Oh… men and dolphins. That's probably why they have that stupid smile on their faces every single day.
Yet still on the same biological imperative, some species have some behaviors that are closer to humans than we could ever comprehend.
So when Freckles went into labor Jethro freaked out.
Big time.
He howled and barked, jumping around the doggie bed before running like a pinball from one side to the other of the room, before coming back panting beside Grace and McGee who had moved the dog bed to the center of the room in order to give enough space so Grace could help the incoming litter. She dug around her bag and came up with gloves, offering a pair for McGee as well before touching the dam's belly and looking at the other side to check the progress.
"Should I worry about what you have in your bag?" McGee muttered as he donned the gloves, watching as she expertly pressed here and there on the dam's belly, counting the puppies through the skin.
"Don't worry, the illegal drugs used to put horses to sleep are kept under lock and key at the office. I only carry enough for dogs… and humans." She said grinning lightly, before going back to her work.
"Vet's humor, hmm?"
"Yeah."
Both flinched as Jethro jumped behind them, howling so loudly that it almost hurt their ears.
"You'd better keep him away."
"You want me to tie him down?"
"No, I think you and Jethro should go to the other room. I will call you when we're done."
"But…" He hugged Jethro's neck, feeling the faint tremors under his touch. "Don't you need help?"
Grace looked up at him, a smart smirk on her lips as she studied his worried face before giving him her tirade. "The females of the species have been doing the same ritual for thousands of years, Timothy. It's in our genes. Don't worry about us. Keep the worried papa away and when the puppies are here I'll call you."
After a worried glance towards Freckles followed by a gentle pat on her head, McGee grabbed Jethro's neck collar and dragged him away from the two females, despite his whimpers and attempts to go back to the dam.
"She needs to do this alone, buddy. We're going to wait here." He dragged the dog to his room and closed the door, resting his back against it. Jethro whined and scratched it, before going back to the howling routine from before.
In the living room, Grace's good humor vanished as she left her worry appear for the first time, running her hand over the distended belly and feeling the timely contractions.
"Now it's only you and me, Freckles. And I'll be by your side every step of the way."
Freckles whimpered and closed her eyes, aware that it was going to be a long night.
