Heart beat out my chest.

The boy wagged his tail eagerly, his every fiber vibrating with happiness that he had pleased his mother.  Though he often neglected her feelings by going off exploring and putting himself in harm's way, that was more childish carelessness than anything.  Certainly he never intended to upset or make her unhappy.

He lifted his muzzle to nibble and lick at her jawline as she brushed her muzzle across his head.  The comforting brush of her tongue was occasionally frustrating to him lately - particularly when it was bath time - but he liked it when it was brief like that.  It was affection, it was connection, it was a reminder that she was his and he was hers.

"SHEENNNYY!"  he shouted eagerly.  Shiny things were actually rather rare in their world, after all, so it was awesome to think of trying to find shiny things.