Best buddies...

...ok, maybe not yet but if each of them had anything to do about it, they would be! Eric and I are just starting to let Denali (our American Bulldog) get close to Gabe. From the time we took him home from the hospital, Nali has been trained to keep a respectful distance from him and all his stuff. Over the months we have allowed her to come closer and closer...and now she just loves to join him on the floor when he plays with his toys. She even tries to join him literally on his blanket...the closer the better! Gabe loves her! His little face lights up when she plops herself down next to him and he immediately goes in for the grab. Denali's ears hold endless appeal for Gabe. He absolutely loves to pull and twist and flap them back and forth with is hands. For some reason she doesn't seem to mind at all - in fact I wonder if she likes it since she always lays down within reach of his grabby little hands! Once in a while, when she thinks I'm not looking and she just can't resist anymore, she will lean over and give him a long lick across the head! ICK! She is not allowed to do that but she LOVES to lick and has a really hard time controlling herself for long! :) Although it really grosses me out, Gabe doesn't seem to mind - which is probably good since he is in for a lot more licks as the years go by and they really do turn into pals!