When the world slowed down in 2020, many people found comfort in adopting pets, and Daniel Hwang was no exception. That year, he welcomed Bagels, a fluffy 34-pound keeshond, into his life. Unlike some dogs who took time to adjust to new homes, Bagels bonded instantly with her dad. The pair spent countless days together during the lockdown, developing an inseparable routine filled with companionship and laughter. But as the months rolled on, Daniel began to notice something unusual: Bagels had a fascination with squeezing herself into spaces far too small for her fluffy frame.
Instead of sprawling out comfortably on the large, soft dog beds Daniel bought her, Bagels preferred unusual alternatives — laundry baskets stuffed with clothes, cardboard boxes, and even suitcases. To most people, this might seem strange, but for Daniel, it soon became clear that these tight spaces carried a special meaning. Bagels wasn’t just looking for comfort — she was looking for closeness.
The Mystery of the Suitcase Croissant
One of the funniest moments came when Daniel left an open carry-on suitcase filled with clothes on the floor. He stepped away for just a moment, and when he returned, Bagels had folded herself into the tiny bag, curled up like a warm pastry. “I unloaded some clothes to put in a closet, and when I came back, she was curled up like a little croissant in the suitcase.”
Why the suitcase? Daniel soon realized that the items inside carried his scent. Bagels wasn’t looking for a fancy bed — she was looking for her dad. To her, a pile of clothes smelled like love, safety, and togetherness. For a dog who grew up as a “pandemic puppy,” every fabric fiber served as a reminder of the human who rarely left her side during her formative months.
This quirky habit quickly became part of Bagels’ identity. Whether it was a basket of freshly folded laundry or a box waiting to be recycled, if it was small, soft, and smelled like Daniel, Bagels would claim it as her temporary nest.
New Additions, New Adjustments
As life slowly returned to normal after the pandemic, Bagels had to adapt to new changes at home. Daniel’s girlfriend moved in, and she happened to be a lifelong cat person. Before long, two rescue cats named Celsius and Oyster joined the family. At first, Bagels wasn’t so sure about these “strange new creatures.” Daniel remembers her barking for nearly two days straight, unsure whether the cats were rivals for attention or intruders in her world.
To help with the transition, Daniel introduced Bagels to the cats gradually through a pet gate. The first meeting was surprisingly anticlimactic. Bagels sniffed them politely, then simply walked away — as if realizing they weren’t competition at all. Her dad’s love was secure, and that was all she needed to know.
Ironically, the cats ended up loving the oversized dog bed Bagels often ignored in favor of smaller spaces. Whenever Bagels chose a suitcase or laundry basket, Celsius and Oyster stretched out on the giant cushion she left behind. The arrangement turned into an unspoken role reversal — the cats enjoyed sprawling luxuriously on the bed while Bagels proudly claimed her snug containers. In the end, everyone seemed satisfied with the arrangement.
The Velcro Dog Who Just Wants To Be Close
No matter which quirky spot Bagels chooses, one rule remains consistent: she never strays far from Daniel. Keeshonds are often called “Velcro dogs” for their tendency to stick close to their humans, and Bagels is a perfect example of this trait. Daniel estimates she’s almost always within three feet of him, whether she’s snoozing in a laundry basket, sharing space at the foot of the bed, or wedging herself into a suitcase by his side.
At night, Bagels usually sleeps near Daniel’s feet on the human bed, while in the morning it’s common to find one of the cats happily stretched out on the dog bed nearby. The household has settled into a rhythm of playful coexistence, where each pet finds comfort in their chosen place.
For Daniel, Bagels’ quirky habits are more than just funny anecdotes. They’re a reminder of the deep connection forged during a time of uncertainty. Her desire to curl up in spaces filled with his scent shows just how much trust and love she carries in her furry little heart.
“She’s a keeshond, and they’re nicknamed ‘Velcro dogs’ because of how closely they stick to their owners,” Daniel said. “I’d say that’s a pretty accurate description.”
In the end, Bagels’ story isn’t just about a dog who loves suitcases and baskets. It’s about how animals express their need for closeness, security, and love in ways that are uniquely their own. For Bagels, no bed can ever compete with the comfort of knowing her dad is always near.
