“He’ll kiss anyone he comes into contact with …”
Like most dogs, this sweet pup named Winnie loves most things in life — going on walks, playing with her toys, and enjoying quality time at home with her family. But there’s one thing Winnie isn’t exactly over the moon about.
That’s when someone comes on just a bit too strong.
Several months ago, the home Winnie shares with her parents grew by one. Her mom and dad took in a puppy named Buck — a bouncy, playful young dog with a slightly different approach to life.
Whereas Winnie tends to be socially awkward, Buck has no concept of boundaries or personal space.
He’s a love bug through and through.
The dogs’ mom, Em McClure, could tell right off the bat that Buck was not one to hold back on overt displays of affection.
“He’ll kiss anyone he comes into contact with — humans, animals and inanimate objects. He just wants everyone and everything to feel the love,” McClure told The Dodo.
For Winnie, this has taken some getting used to.
Although Winnie isn’t one to shy away from a good cuddle, or even a loving lick or two, Buck’s sloppy smooching style is a whole other story. Still, though she might prefer otherwise, Winnie learned to roll along with it.
Here’s Winnie, her awkwardness triggered, submitting to Buck’s show of love:
Though a dog showng their teeth in this manner is often seen as precursor to aggression, Winnie has never once snapped at Buck.
“We believe she has accepted, and even enjoys, his affectionate behavior,” McClure said. “It’s their thing.”
When the day winds down, Buck is usually the first to tucker out. And that’s when Winnie’s more of the instigator of affection — inviting him to cuddle each night.
“We know, and can see, that she’s obsessed with her little buddy,” McClure said.
In the end, Winnie and Buck are individuals with their own manner and preferences. But that hardly divides them where it matters most.
“I think the lesson Winnie and Buck teach us, as humans, is that although love languages can look and feel different, the bond and love for each other remains strong,” McClure said.