Einstein Dog by Craig Spence

world,” he’d complained.
    â€œIt’s a miracle, son,” Professor Smith corrected.
    â€œBut you’re a scientist, Dad! You’re not supposed to believe in miracles.”
    â€œThe more we discover, the more miraculous everything becomes,” The professor explained patiently. “Science hasn’t taken a single wow out of life’s mysteries. It’s just made the picture more complex and wonderful.”
    Was that what his dad researched? Miracles?

    His bike lurched forward and rattled down the hill into Campus Green. “Eyeee!” Ariel shrieked. Bertrand let out a yell, too, urging his metal charger across the lawn. Sensing catastrophe, Ariel leapt off the pegs and came to a running stop at the pound gate; Bertrand kicked out the back wheel and laid the bike down in the grass. Before the wheels stopped spinning he’d fumbled open the latch and stormed across the yard through the kennel door.
    â€œElaine!”
    â€œShhhh.” Her admonition came from inside Libra’s pen.
    â€œHow is she?” Bertrand whispered.
    â€œFine. But exhausted.”
    â€œIs she? Have they?”
    â€œYes.” Elaine beamed. “Libra’s a mom.”
    What did that mean? His own reaction to the news startled Bertrand. Would Libra be changed? Would she be as much fun? Would she even talk to him anymore? For a second — a second he’d remember for the rest of his life — Bertrand felt the sting of jealousy. He heard the whimpering of Libra’s pups and, instead of the elation he’d planned, a tide of bitterness surged. Hot and flushed, he scolded himself for a thought that dishonoured him and Libra.
    Then she was with him. He felt the warmth of her affection glowing inside. She knew! She sensed his confusion and had sent a thought to comfort him. His momentary doubt gave way to astounding joy.
    Elaine gestured them forward with a nod. “Come on,” she laughed. “They won’t bite.”
    Bertrand stepped into the kennel.
    â€œAw!” Ariel gasped, overwhelmed at the sight of the pups.
    â€œThey’re so tiny!”
    They were tiny. They were cute. Now his emotions swung from doubt to utter love. Libra encircled the pups with her body and legs. They whimpered and yawned, but for the most part slept, their plump bodies pressed together for warmth. The result was an indeterminate being made up of button noses, miniature paws, stumpy tails, and round bellies. He laughed joyfully.
    It’s okay, Libra signaled. She’d been studying him the whole time with her gentle, knowing eyes.
    â€œLibra!” he gasped. “They’re beautiful!”
    Stooping, he stroked the fur behind her ears. Libra smiled, grateful for his affection.
    â€œMay I?” he asked, glancing at her pups.
    Her answer amazed him. They are yours as much as mine, she said.
    Surely he’d misunderstood. He looked directly into her eyes, but she didn’t flinch. Her meaning was inescapable. Yours, she repeated, determined that he know this. Until they’re grown and can fend for themselves. Then they must choose their human life-companions.
    She had never communicated such complex thoughts and emotions before, but Bertrand was certain these strange messages came from her.
    But . . .
    It is so with every dog, excepting our wild ancestors, like the wolves and coyotes. Our pups are not our own. If one human does not lay claim to them, another will, and I want you to claim these pups as your own . . . as your family.
    But I’m only a kid! he objected.
    You are their older brother. You must be there for them when I’m not .
    What do you mean?
    The day may come when these pups of mine will need a human protector. Promise you will be that human, that you will not forsake them. Ever.
    Libra!
    Promise!
    The gravity of her command permeated his soul. From jubilation he sank almost into despair, for she’d shown him the wisdom of her kind, with its