Most of the time Auggie is not a demonstrative dog. He is a very high energy personality who is always on high alert for opportunities to go outside. He has a hair trigger that is activated by our slightest movements. Sometimes it can be a bit much, and I have to continually work to encourage him not to break out in a wild frenzy of barking when I am merely opening the closet to get something out of a coat pocket. His heedlessness in these moments can be dangerous, and I am recovering from a bone bruise on my knee after the combination of his exuberance with my tenacity flung me to the stone floor. Auggie didn’t even look back.

But you would be mistaken to think Auggie does not love hard and deeply. He is wired to run at full speed, and nothing can change that. But he is also incredibly gentle and sweet. I never worry about him meeting a stranger, or being around a child or a puppy. He will sit quite patiently with someone who wants to pet him, and he gives lovely little nose kisses while looking straight into your eyes. Auggie is very focussed on eye contact, and when we’re playing I take off my sunglasses so we can look deeply into each other’s eyes.

When we come in to wash the mud off—after what we call his “slow walk of doom”back to the house—he obediently gets into the shower, and patiently lifts each paw for me to clean without my having to ask. Often when I am bending over him to spray his underside, he reaches up and gives me a gentle kiss.

Sometimes I think he feels a bit lonely or jealous because snuggly, low-key Eli always asks for—and gets—the love he needs. And Eli is both sly and pushy about inserting himself between Auggie and an object of mutual desire, making himself into a giant, furry wedge. It can be difficult to divide attention exactly. So when Auggie asks for attention, I notice.

Last night, Auggie asked. Instead of settling in at the foot of the bed, he was waiting for me with his head on my pillow. He made room for me, and when I was settled, he nestled in, molding the shape of his body to mine, his head resting on my leg. Later he moved up so I could keep my hand on his back. He stayed that way all night, comforting and being comforted.

He is a very good dog.