Time and Love Exchange

Headstrong

Having arrived at Sweet Little Ones veterinary clinic, Lynney was not all too bothered by her first-time experience other than being required to give a detailed explanation that Specky was not her "official" pet but it was a good thing that she came with a name for it prepared. The receptionist could be seen having problem believing her chance encounter with a one-of-a-kind rabbit but since she was only supposed to be performing her job, it did not take long before Lynney was ushered into the examination room with sweet little Specky tugging closely within her arms.

Other than the unique odour, Lynney was not too overwhelmed by the impeccably clean and neat space that was not very much different from a typical clinic for human patients she found themselves in - brightly lit white-painted walls and ceiling with "medical" tools and devices placed at almost every side and corner. Lynney was so engrossed in her observation of every little bit of details down to the smallest bottle of strong treatment solution along with the abruptly attentive and alert Specky that the sharp opening of the door incredily startled both the absorbed girl and her precious bunny...

"Oh, so sorry for the interruption...Didn't mean to be a little late," the doctor apparently noted Lynney's surprised reaction and subtle jerk that Specky has to shift itself momentarily to prevent from slipping off her grasp.

Lynney was embarrassed and cleared her throat, "That's okay, doctor..."

He seemed to put on a smile and offered his hand, "No big deal...So I have never seen you before...I'm Dr Lane, nice to meet you...Is it this little cute friend of yours having some trouble - oh here goes the bandage..."

Lynney has never felt so awkward shaking an animal doctor's hand before and his warm personality was strangely causing her much uneasiness. She almost found it hard to talk, being a loner that she was, for his sharp awareness of the odd-looking bandage she had put on for Specky was recreating more sense of embarrassment. To make matters worse, she experienced another fright when Specky immediately hopped out of her steady arms and right onto the doctor in front of them without a single hint of warning. What became a timely miracle was that he instantly caught Specky within less than a second of his most accurate reflex.

Lynney gasped as she remained almost frozen in her seat, nearly scared out of her wits at the imagination of the consequence should Specky collapsed onto the floor with its injured limb.

"Oh, nice catch! What an energetic sweetie bun you have here!" He was chuckling affectionately as he held Specky firmly in his strong arms. Nevertheless, despite his perfect cuddle, Specky seemed to be clutching tightly onto his green scrubs top with its pair of desperate paws.

Lynney thought she saw Specky twitching its pair of long standing ears again, which thankfully knocked her back into her senses and immense relief.

"So I gather this poor little thing has hurt one of its left hind leg, am I right?" He turned and changed the focus of his gaze on Lynney, which alerted her out of her inner thoughts.

She was overcame by a little stutter as she tried to fill him in on the details.

The doctor gently placed down Specky for a quick yet detailed physical examination, raising curiosity and doubt in Lynney once again.

"I see that Specky hasn't been spayed yet...Do you want to have this surgery done anytime soon?"

Lynney's ears instantly perked up, "I'm sorry...Did I hear you say 'surgery'?"

Dr Lane removed his gloves after completing the examination and turned back to Lynney with a somewhat more assuring expression, "Now, there's really nothing much to worry about...We'll just be removing her ovaries so she would not easily succumb to illnesses and hormonal disturbances related to reproduction. That's for sure the most advisable thing to do for rabbits, be they male or female..."

Upon hearing his answer and logic, Lynney felt concerned, even unknowingly to the point of being incredibly furious, "So you literally mean performing a permanent life-changing procedure on Specky in a way that one of her most important internal organs will be removed forever and ever?!"

Dr Lane could sense the intense emotional tone in her voice and Lynney's indignation was all of a sudden so obvious on her previously meek and agreeable face. He quickly went up to her to provide more convincing explanation to his recommendation, yet he did not seem to move her opinion in the least tiniest bit...Even the innocent Specky appeared to be carried away by their verbal conflict and was staring with her full attention on the two...

"I'm sorry, doctor...but this really sounds like the most nonsensical and brutal thing to do to a voiceless and defenceless little being..." Lynney was getting more mad by the minute, a remarkable transformation from her usual self less than ten minutes ago. The doctor, on the other hand, though caught off-guard, was attempting his best skills at defending his point against her overprotective concern for a dear little creature whom she had met in less than 24 hours. What was supposed to be a seemingly uneventful normal day like any other was about to create a source of tension and adventure for them that would be more lasting than they have imagined...