"Apparently. You went and got a puppy and no one told me," she teases, grinning though as she strolls closer. "Seems pets have been going around. Heard quite a few have them," she says. "Up to and including bouncing goats, which are, for the record, some of the cutest things I've seen."

Just about as cute as the puppy she bends down to scritch. "But you're cuter. Shhh, don't tell them," she whispers to the puppy.

"I just thought I'd come see you, see how you're doing. If you're up for some company?"