A collection of nine stories that looks at the ruptures in icy suburban lives, when relationships between parents and children crack over problems with pets. Lovebirds take over a man's house. An orchid brings together a childless woman and a young girl, but quickly shatters their bond. Two boys enter the basement to seek out a dinosaur creature. A girl releases her pet mouse for attention every time her mother's church friends visit. A boy mimics a tiger as he hunts for a gopher. A rabbit owner can hear his pet demand more carrots to strengthen its weak bones. Each story scrapes at the surface of people's struggles to be human in moments of rage, fear, and loss, with pets and animals as the catalyst.

Written by Gallagher Lawson.