With not a hint of fear or caution, Aspasia toddled over to Westfall and began rubbing against his legs, her damp coat leaving wet streaks on the stranger. A wide, gleeful grin spread across her face as she looked up at him. Hello! Hi! Hello! she chirped brightly, her tiny tail wagging like mad. Play?

Summoning every ounce of puppy charm she could muster, she gazed up at him with gleaming garnet eyes full of innocent delight. When he tried to herd the pups back toward the den, Aspasia simply plopped her happy little rear down right in front of him. No want den, she declared firmly.

Then came mother, storming in, all bristled fur and fierce protectiveness. Aspasia tilted her head, confusion clouding her sweet expression. Why was Mama upset? She was just making a friend!

Letting out a sharp yip in protest, she barked, Mama mean! before turning her attention back to the tall stranger. Was Mama going to chase him off? No fair! She wanted to explore and make friends!

Determined, the little pup scrambled to her feet on her stubby legs and scurried closer to Westfall, giggling softly as she tucked herself beneath him. Mama couldn’t reach her here!