Addie laughed when she glanced to her side and caught his expression, her eyes sparkling. "Told you they were big," she giggled. "C'mon. Animals are sometimes more...sensitive to things than human-type folk. I think you'll like them."
She gave a low whistle, and Patch heaved herself up onto her massive paws and came trotting over, plumed tail waving like a banner behind her. She gave another quiet woof and shoved her nose into Addie's outstretched palm. When she found no waiting treats, she gave a plaintive huff and plopped herself down in front of the two of them, whining pitifully.
"Oh yes, you're quite pathetic," Addie laughed, reaching up to scratch her ears. "I swear, you'll make our guest think we never feed you." Patch's tail thumped against the earth. Then she cocked her head, sniffing, and swung her snout in Thomas's direction. She gave another low huff, this one somehow questioning, and stretched her neck forward to sniff enthusiastically at the air around his face.