For as long as her family has known her, Winnie has been a gentle soul with a quiet personality. She loves her daily walks, enjoys chasing her favorite toys around the living room, and never passes up the chance to curl up beside her humans after a long day. But when it comes to interacting with other dogs or people, Winnie can be a little shy.
She isn’t unfriendly, just cautious. Winnie likes affection, but she prefers it on her terms — calm, measured, and respectful of her personal space. Too much energy or overly enthusiastic greetings tend to make her stiffen up, and she often responds with an awkward glance or nervous smile.
Her parents accepted this about her long ago, appreciating her quirks and loving her exactly as she is. They never expected that another dog would enter her world and challenge her carefully maintained boundaries.
Enter Buck, The Lovebug
A few months ago, Winnie’s parents made the decision to expand their little family by welcoming a puppy named Buck. From the very beginning, it was clear that Buck was Winnie’s opposite. Where she was cautious and hesitant, Buck was bold and overflowing with affection.
Buck’s style of love is simple: if he sees you, he wants to cover you in kisses. No one is spared — not people, not animals, not even random objects lying around the house. According to his mom, Em McClure, Buck is simply incapable of holding back.
“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 explained.
Buck’s openhearted approach was endearing, but it also created a challenge for Winnie. Suddenly she was living with a whirlwind of energy who wanted to smother her with attention every waking moment. For a dog who valued her space, this was a huge adjustment.
From Awkward Tension To Gentle Understanding
At first, Winnie didn’t quite know how to handle Buck’s constant attempts at affection. His sloppy kisses and unrelenting closeness made her uncomfortable. There were moments where she would bare her teeth, a sign that many people might mistake for aggression.
But Winnie never once lashed out. Instead, she allowed Buck’s love to wash over her — awkwardly at first, but with growing patience as time went on. She seemed to realize that Buck’s intentions were pure and that his eagerness came from a place of innocence, not dominance.
Her family watched as something surprising unfolded. Rather than becoming irritated or resentful, Winnie started to soften. She tolerated his affection, then slowly began to lean into it. What once triggered her discomfort began to feel like a quirky routine between the two dogs.
And it truly has become their thing. Buck showers Winnie with love, Winnie reacts with her
A Love Language All Their Own
By the end of the day, when Buck’s puppy energy finally wears out, the tables often turn. Winnie, who once resisted Buck’s closeness, becomes the one to initiate affection. She curls up next to him when it’s time to rest, letting him know in her own quiet way that she cherishes his presence.
“We know, and can see, that she’s obsessed with her little buddy,” McClure said.
Their relationship is proof that love doesn’t always look one way. Some express it loudly and openly, like Buck, while others show it more cautiously, like Winnie. Yet both approaches are equally valid. Together, they remind us that the strongest bonds are built not by demanding sameness but by embracing differences.
For Winnie and Buck, it doesn’t matter if one is awkward and the other over-the-top. At the end of the day, they have found a rhythm that works for them — one built on trust, acceptance, and unconditional love.
