Fleas

"Orion I don't understand why you are so itchy. We can try benedryl tomorrow?" I say as he bounces away from my friendly pat.
To run a hand down his back is to press the gas pedal on a car, his foot leaps forward in great scratching anticipation.
I sigh and roll back into bed.
Curious, I pop up again, snag my computer from it's neglected state on the floor and type in, "Dog Fleas".
Images flash before my face and I squirm slightly in remembrance of my summer of Scabies and Bed Bugs. I could do for a stretch without the creepy crawlies.
I glance through them, landing on a site that seems reliable, and begin to read.
"...and an adversion to light. Hard to spot. Will leave poop trails that look like dirt in fur..."
"Oh no..."
I look over at him curled in a ball.
He jumps, as if startled.
"Orion come here."
I chase him around the room, finally pinning him in front of the bureau, grab the headlight from the top of the dresser and flick it on real quickly. Sure enough, a black spot scurries into his fur.
"You have got to be kidding," I say. After all, between the two of us, I don't think there's anything left for us to contract that crawls and eats you... scabies, bed bugs, tape worms, fleas....
"Well," I roll off him, he dashes for the corner of the room. "We will just have to treat you in the morning."
I flick off the head lamp and crawl back into bed.
"I'm sorry buddy. I really do sympathize."
"If it makes you feel better, Chloe probably has them too and we can sit on her in the morning to check. It's always nicer to have someone else going down with you. Gives you company in the very least."