"Who knows how or why," he points out quietly, pessimistic even as the puppy wriggles in his arms so it can lick at his chin. Jake absently ducks his head down to kiss its little skull, adjusting it in his arms so he won't drop it. "Or who left it there, how they know my name, if they're still watching us..."

The puppy doesn't seem bothered by this idea at all, happy to be held and still making its best attempts to lick Jake's face.

The problem with Cougar lapsing into Spanish is that Jake can feign ignorance and ignore what he says. He thrusts the dog at Cougar, feeling both vindicated and betrayed to see how the dog immediately turns its attentions to Cougar. "Go on, then," he says. "You might as well start training it. I've got to finish this."