Karen laughs herself then, an abrupt and almost astonished sound, as if she can't believe she was capable. "It's really ugly," she admits, because God are they ever. "Like 'World's Ugliest Dog' ugly." Matt's right, though; in the grand scheme of this place, these toothy puppies have turned out to be one of the least worrisome parts.

"It seems like everyday I see someone new with one. So far they haven't been a problem. I've managed to escape being chosen. Maybe because I have an actual dog at home, I don't know."