The thing was, Karen knew how crazy it looked to have a pack of dogs running around her, or at someone, but sometimes, they just needed to get out of the Estates and down the beach. All seven of them, Karen included, and if she had to look like the crazy dog lady, so be it. Nick being at the lab and Sam being at school left Karen along to wrangle the dogs, but once they hit the beach, it was easy to sit in the shade where Karen had a towel, and spend some quality time with a few of Brodie's old comics.

Utica stayed next to her, and it was her half warning, half excited growl that made Karen look up.

"Oh, for the -- goddamit, hey!" Karen got up to her feet, and brought her fingers to her lips to let out a piercing whistle. It was nowhere near as loud or adamant as she wanted, but it was enough to get every single dog's attention and stop them before they bowled poor Peter over to get at the new dog.