If you know anything about chupacabras, you know that these modern-day legendary creatures do not have a reputation for being warm and cuddly. In fact their name can be loosely translated from Spanish to mean “goat-sucker,” and comes from the beasts’ reputation for attacking goats and sucking their blood.

You’ll be relieved to know that Bruto is not one such creature. A chupacabra puppy, Bruto makes an unsettling—then unsettlingly adorable—first impression in Paola Santiago and the River of Tears. More than that, he’s a complete tongue-bath whirlwind! He’ll go on to steal Paola’s heart, along with every reader who has one.

Meet Bruto!