The puppy gave a short bark, and the vet chuckled. “You could always bring them by as proof.” Ethan crouched, stroking the dog’s head as it rested one paw against his knee. The smaller one stirred faintly on the table, stretching its paw toward the edge. The other perked up immediately, watching its brother’s every movement.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a pair,” the vet said with a grin. Ethan smiled, exhausted but content. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Guess I do.” He reached for his phone, staring at the blank text box where his boss’s number blinked back at him. After a long pause, he began typing: