"Cougar, just do it," he says, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "I have all of this wood to finish, plus I really should go back and get more, considering how much of it we go through to heat the stove. You take on the dog, okay?"

The puppy is still wriggling in his hands, straining to get closer to Cougar. Earlier, he was giving him a good cuddle, and the dog is smart enough to want more of that.

He yips, seeming to agree with Jake. "C'mon."