DCW: Keeping The Population Down

Writers: Emma, Kaysea
Date Posted: 11th June 2007

Characters: I'lan, Laysea
Description: I'lan does something about his canine and puppies...
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 6 of Turn 4

The canine trotted along by his owner. His tongue was out of his mouth a little
as he panted slightly in the heat.

"It's a shame to do this to you, but there are just one too many puppies in the
weyr that look like you," said I'lan to his canine. "I mean it. I am sorry, but
the Beastcrafters might just have the answer," he continued as they approached
the area used by the weyr crafters.

"Hold him steady!" Laysea yelled as the apprentices began to lose the hold
they had on the bovine. "I can't crop him if you don't hold him still!"

She held tightly to the large cropping clamp and tried to manoeuvre it into
position, but the apprentices once again let him loose. "Shards, forget it!"
she steamed, throwing the clamp to the side of her. It clunked on the ground.
"Let him go!" she waved at them, "Go have something to eat, its nooning now
anyway."

She turned and saw the rider and canine as they approached. Wiping her
forehead on a rag, she walked towards them. "Can I help you?" she asked the
rider; her hand drifting out automatically for the canine to sniff at.

"It's about my canine," stated the bronzerider. "He's not sick, it's just I
think he needs someone to look at him."

"For?" she asked, looking down at the canine who looked normal enough; cold
nose, wagging tail. She looked distractedly over her shoulder, and was relieved
to see they had tied the bovine tightly to the post before leaving. "Sorry..
you were saying?" she asked, looking back at the rider.

"He's not sick, but he has just a few too many lady friends around here if you
know what I mean." The previous day an irate healer had come to him complaining
that he'd caught Bubbly with his canine and that she was now expecting. "He's
become a father one too many times."

"Oh.." she rolled her eyes, "You want him fixed?" It must be her day, first
the bovine and now the canine, but she knew which one she preferred. "Can you
leave him here for the night? I'm a little busy right now, but we can do him
later tonight once that one's been done." she said, indicating the beast over in
the corner of the cavern.

"It's not going to hurt him is it?" A look of pain briefly crossed the lad's
face. "I've had him since he was a pup you see, but the time has come to..."

"He'll feel a little sore, but the actual operation won't take long, after a
few days the pain will ease." Laysea smiled, she could see the lad was thinking
of the operation in terms of himself being neutered, no male liked to think in
that way.

"You'll look after him?" Concern was evident in I'lan's tone. "And will there
be anything I need to do for him afterwards."

"He'll need rest, and a little seclusion for a day or so." Laysea hunkered down
beside the canine, "but other than the other canines taking an interest in his
nether regions for the next sevenday or so, there won't be too much difference
in him. You may find that he'll become a more companionable beast too."

"I think he's been a bit too companionable already if you know what I mean,"
joked I'lan a little. Becoming more serious he continued, "Do you need me to
leave him with you now, or bring him back later?"

"It's up to you," Laysea smiled, "we're going to be a bit busy for the next few
candlemarks, so if you'd like to have him around for a little while, it might
be more settling for him."

"Then I'll bring him back mid afternoon."

"That would be great!" Laysea heave d a sigh of relief, "He really might get a
little too agitated if he was left here." she nodded behind her to the bull
which still pawed the ground in frustration and agitation. "By the way, what's
his name?"

"Bubbly, and I'm I'lan, Naath's rider."

"Well, I'lan, I'll expect you this afternoon, late if you could. And Bubbly
here will be ready for you to collect tomorrow around the same time. Sound
alright to you?"

"Sounds good, Journeywoman..." he paused, suddenly realising she hadn't given
her name.

She pushed herself upright, giving Bubbly one last pat, then held out her hand,
"I'm Laysea - I'lan," she smiled, "and rest assured, Bubbly will be fine after
the operation. In a few days he won't even notice a change, though you and
everyone else will."

"Thank you for agreeing to look at him at short notice. It is appreciated."

"Anything that will keep the Weyr population of pets at a decent level I'm more
than willing to help with."

Last updated on the June 21st 2007

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DCW: Keeping The Population Down