Riley is not an “in your face” touchy-feely kind of kid. She’s more reserved.

Seth is, “I love you Jingle, I love you, you’re the best dog, the very best girl, the cutest, oh you’re so cute, SOOO CUTE, aren’t you? Aren’t you the cutest girl?”

And Jingle loves both of them.

At first we were worried Jingle might bond with Seth rather than Riley, because he is so full on with his love for her. We were adamant only Riley could give Jingle treats,etc. Even though Jingle returns Seth’s loving adoration tenfold, it’s Riley she positions herself next to. In the photo above, you see the kids playing. Jingle sits close to Riley, not Seth. Riley’s foot is making contact with Jingle as they play. This happens a lot. She’ll be doing school work, or practicing cello, her foot resting on Jingle. It’s very subtle.  

If Riley gets upset, Jingle follows her.

When Riley unzips her cello case, Jingle knows it’s time to work. 

I’ve seen a definite increase in their bond over the last month since we started homeschooling.

One time Riley got upset and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. Jingle cried her eyes out on the other side, waiting to get in.

The bond with Riley and Jingle isn’t anything that can be forced.

The bond with Seth and Jingle isn’t anything that can be stopped.

Love is love, it unfolds how it’s supposed to, in it’s own time, if we relax and allow and let it happen.