Peggy's not sure that she could ever really have a pet, not with the constant stress and strain it seems to give. Still, it's moments like these (as are moments when she witnesses other women with their children) that she wonders if it's all worth it, to experience a little bit of joy. "Careful," she says warmly, "he looks fit to barrel you over," she says as the dog makes its last bounding leaps towards them, stepping just to the side to avoid the one being suddenly mauled and pressed to a slippery ground.

"Do you have a lead for him?" she asks. "It might be best to control him a touch with the weather being what it is."