That was exactly why I hadn't wanted to claim him before. I worried that the blood loss would cause problems, since he had already lost so much. But I knew I could take care of him as soon as we reached the clinic. I just had to keep him awake until we got there, and then everything would be under control. I let myself forget about my fear and bad thoughts for a moment as I also felt the warmth of his body and a feeling that, once again, we were one. I would fight the world to protect him now, and I felt I could win.<br/>As he whimpered, I took a look at him to check it he was all right. He did seem so, as much as possible, so I kept walking. I laid him very gently on the lowered seat and took mine, stroking his fur for a long moment. "Stay awake, okay, puppy?". I joked to make the situation feel lighter. "I'm too beautiful for you to lose a minute of looking at me, right?"