"I had a wolf before I came here to this place," Jon said. "A direwolf, a great one that was white and called Ghost. Now, though, I only have a cat that a dear friend left behind and a pair of dogs that seem to have taken me for their own master when she disappeared."

As if on cue, the dogs came up to investigate, curious about the croc dog and the zalpaca. Jon issued out a soft, firm command.

"Keep your distance, pups. Don't frighten any of these animals off."