James had grown deeply attached to Jobi, the baby monkey he had been fostering for the past few months. From the moment Jobi arrived—a wide-eyed, tiny creature no bigger than a kitten—James had been committed to caring for him like one of his own. He built a special corner in the house with blankets, toys, and a heating pad, and his two children adored having the little monkey as part of their everyday life.
But now, that joy was being replaced with fear.
Jobi had been under the weather for a few days—sleepier than usual, refusing to eat, and generally not his playful self. James had called the vet, and they’d diagnosed a mild infection, reassuring him that with proper care, Jobi would bounce back. But that night, everything changed. James was rocking Jobi gently when he noticed something was wrong. The baby monkey was struggling—his tiny chest was rising and falling rapidly, and he began to gasp for air.
“Jobi?” James whispered, his voice shaking. He reached for his phone with one hand, calling the emergency vet clinic while holding Jobi close with the other. The baby monkey’s breathing had become shallow and raspy—like he was trying to draw in air through a straw. Panic surged through James. This was no longer something he could manage on his own.
At the clinic, the vet moved quickly. Jobi was placed in an oxygen chamber, and blood tests were taken. James watched helplessly through the glass, his heart pounding. The vet explained that Jobi’s infection had likely worsened, spreading into his lungs and causing respiratory distress.
James sat in the waiting room, clutching one of Jobi’s toys. He thought about how the tiny monkey had curled up on his chest every night, how he chirped happily when James came home from work. Now, all he could do was wait—and hope.
Eventually, the vet returned with guarded optimism. Jobi was stable, breathing easier with oxygen and medication. It was still serious, but they had caught it in time. James exhaled, the weight of worry still heavy but slightly eased.
That night, James stayed beside Jobi’s enclosure, watching over him. He knew now more than ever: love means never leaving someone alone when they need you most—even if they have fur and a tiny heartbeat.
