Cast of Characters

“The Hairy Horde,” canine companions of Missy, the self-described “island delivery gal”: Buster, a mutt of uncertain heritage but absolutely certain affections; Manly, a spectacularly unneutered but mild-mannered Great Dane; Fetch, a yellow Labrador who loves to—well, ‘nough said; and Brunhilde, a beautiful but unpredictable Afghan Hound

Charlie, mostly-Newfoundland emotional support dog for Retha, who runs Retha’s Bar and Grill

Sylvia, cat-who-thinks-she’s-a-dog, who presides over The Coffee Hut owned by Amelia

Gafr the Goat, not technically a dog but treated like a pet by “the new hippie couple” Liam and Geena, and their toddler Daisy

Mazie, a small, timid mop-dog who is, paradoxically, a source of courage and strength to TeeKay, owner of Island Books

Fran and Nan, Scottish Terriers who are twins in appearance but not in temperament (Fran bosses her humans, Jack and Jill—really!—while Nan is gently encouraging and forgiving)

Silas, three-legged dog belonging to Ben and Caroline Breckenridge, who run The Breckenridge Inn while raising: the human children John (9), Max (8), twins Hannah and Randy (11), Kevin (17), and Rainbow (18); and the rest of the menagerie consisting of one white Rat (Marvel), three more dogs (George, Roger, and Nadine), two cats (Miss Perfect and her counterpart, Miscreant), a lizard named Storm; also seven goats whose names no one can remember (because there are only so many things the brain can hold)

Pip and JP, ancient dogs of indeterminate breed belonging to Frank and Kasumi, “the old hippie couple”

Familiar Friends from The Dogs of Looser Island: Who Laughs Last

Unidentifiable blend of various herding and other breeds Hound, who creaks and groans alongside old Jens Jensen, sheep farmer and official island curmudgeon

Pitbull-mix Jerry Garcia, who crossed the rainbow bridge not long ago but remains in the hearts of Seth, the son of free-spirited postmistress Jenny

Dogless Sheriff Tom Haley, who has been sheriff so long his title really is part of his name

Irritable Pomeranian Pretty Boy, status symbol and kindred spirit of Cherry Duluth, Chairwoman of the Looser Island Water District Board of Directors, realtor, and island siren

Great Pyrenees Mo, hairy guardian angel of Gloria, owner and chef extraordinaire of The Dog House Café

Pug Hubert, silent Yoda to old Celia Prewitt, the former school teacher and erstwhile trombone-player, also grandmother to sailor Olga

Boxer Rambo, extrovert foil to introvert Jim Perkins, Looser Island Water District engineer, graphic novelist, and significant other to sharp-tongued but warm-hearted Lauren, owner of the Apple Cart Grocery

Susan, software engineer and mother of eleven-year-old Marta, newly adopted by Shelby, an Australian Shepherd(ish) dog who used to belong to Lauren, Marta’s grandmother

Labrador Molly, inspiration for the oh-so-wise philosophy WWMD (What Would Molly Do?), with Markus Bjorkin (island garbage collector and philosopher) and Ella Bjorkin, teacher in the blended third- and fourth-grade classroom