But just before they got to him, Carol, sensing the urgency of the situation, stepped forward and issued her commanding order to the dogs. They froze in their tracks, their jaws wide open.

Claus took a moment to catch his breath, grateful for the sudden reprieve. Mia caught up with him.

“Claus! Are you alright?” She asked rhetorically, checking his body for his bruises.

“I’m... I’m fine,” he managed to say, his voice trembling.

“How can you say you’re fine with you ...