Balto said. “Oh, no, I’m fine,” Jenna replied. “What I was going to say was, well…I never felt like I found the right man. I mean, it felt kind of romantic sometimes, but nothing more. I felt that, you know, all of these men…they didn’t love me for who I am, but what I am, for nothing more than my looks.” Her lip began quivering and her eyes welled up. “They didn’t want to really love me. They just wanted to get in bed with me for a night, and that was it. It made me feel like I wasn’t really a dog, just some pretty thing to drool at. And it…it still happens. It feels horrible.” By now, she was crying openly. Balto reached over and dried her eyes sympathetically. “Thanks,” she said. “I’m sorry. It just makes me feel so awful. I can feel them looking at me, and sometimes I hear them say things I won’t repeat to you.” Just with her saying this, she looked vulnerable and afraid to Balto. She went on. “But you never did that. There was always something…different about you. I always felt much better around you than when any other men, because I knew that your consideration of me didn’t stop at the outside. That’s why it’s you; because you respect me, and treat me like I’m a woman with feelings. It’s not easy for me to find that sort of thing, you know, and…” She faltered. “And?” Balto said. Jenna looked shy. “I kind of admire that,” she said. “I find it…attractive.” Balto smiled, making sure it wasn’t so obvious that it would make Jenna feel embarrassed. She continued. “It’s much more of a pleasure to be around a man when he respects you. You know, when he doesn’t ogle, or invade your space, or talk to you like he’s some kind of Don Juan. But that’s another thing about you. I’ve been able to tell sometimes that you were admiring me, though not in a disrespectful way. Apart from those times, though…there’s still something else different about you, something that I don’t see in anyone except you. I don’t know what it is; it’s just something in your face sometimes, in your voice when you talk to me, how you act. I don’t always see it, but…frequently I do.” “Are you seeing that I’m madly in love with you?” Balto thought, certain that was what Jenna unknowingly perceived in him.

Jenna looked into Balto’s eyes, the feelings showing in hers building in intensity. “I wondered…if you might answer a question for me, Balto.” He nodded. “Sure.” Jenna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Um…remember when you saved Rosy’s hat, and you looked at me after she took it?” “Yes.” “Well, I just, I didn’t know…your face. I could see something, something that touched my heart. I’ve been thinking about…was I seeing how you felt about me?” “Yeah,” he said shyly. “See, I don’t meet you very often, and I had seen you a few seconds before Rosy lost the hat. I really wanted to talk to you, even if it was just saying hi. After I took the hat to Rosy, you were there, just looking so beautiful…I guess it showed in my face.” Jenna nodded, smiling. “Your smile, mostly. I could tell you were admiring me.” Balto became sheepish. “Gee, I’m sorry, Jenna. I don’t mean to do that sort of thing around you, but you’re so lovely… I lost myself a little, and that got loose. I’m sorry; it’s no excuse, and I’m…” “Oh, Balto,” said Jenna, “that’s not how I meant it. I know you wouldn’t look at me in a bad way. Really, it makes me happy that you think I’m beautiful.” Relief washed over Balto’s face. “Good. I really would hate to have hurt your feelings by doing that.” Jenna smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, you didn’t.” She was about to speak again, but hesitated. Balto didn’t say anything, waiting for her to start. “I…don’t meet you very often either, Balto,” she said. “I, um…hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I really like it when I see you. It’s…it’s hard to say what I’m about to, so bear with me.” “Okay,” Balto said. “Take your time.” She struggled for a moment before being able to speak again. Slight confusion laced her voice. “It’s almost like I’m not whole without you. It’s an unusual feeling, and I’ve felt it for a while.” Balto paused a second or so, and spoke. “Actually, that’s how I feel about you,” he said. “You do?” she said. “Yes,” he said. “I’ve felt it for a while, too.” Jenna looked relieved. “I’m glad I’m not the only one. But isn’t that strange? That we both feel that way?” “I guess so. My feelings…they can make me feel awfully confused sometimes.” “You and me both. I’m glad it isn’t just me, though.”

Jenna took a drink of peach juice. Balto was silent for a moment, and then, feeling extremely nervous, spoke again. “May I touch you, Jenna?” he asked. She looked at him, feeling as if her heart was suddenly taken by the strength of the feelings in his eyes, which were as strong as the ones she began to feel. “Okay,” she said, quietly. Balto moved over to her and put his paw gently on her shoulder. He just held it there for a moment, feeling the wonderful softness of her fur. Jenna closed her eyes, drinking in the passionate flow that came from Balto’s touch. He went to put his paw around her, and she moved closer to him so he could do it. She laid her head on the side of his neck, and sighed with joy, smiling at the feel of his body. This was very pleasant for the both of them, the sweet sensation of physical contact making them both tingle inside. They just sat there, taking in the feeling of each other. Jenna cuddled up against Balto, who was breathing a little heavily, and he put his other paw around her, holding her tenderly. She raised her head, and they stared into each other’s eyes like they were in a trance for a few moments before Jenna laid her head back down and Balto laid his head on hers. For several moments, they sat like this, their eyes closed, not making a move or saying a word; just feeling. At length, they both opened their eyes and looked at the dance floor, where the dogs were gathering for the new song that was starting. “Would you like to dance?” Balto asked. Jenna nodded. “I’d love to.” They let go of each other and walked out onto the floor. The upbeat club dance number began, and Balto and Jenna began dancing for the first time. They enjoyed it greatly, skipping and spinning in time with one another. The song soon ended and was replaced with a new one, slow and soft. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and then moved closer, touching their cheeks together and beginning to dance, circling slowly. “‘Truly Madly Deeply’…” Jenna whispered. “My favorite song…” “I don’t blame you…” Balto replied. They allowed themselves to become lost in the moment, and the song, coupled with the feeling of closeness between them, created an almost hypnotic effect. They loved it.

After the song ended, they went back to their table and finished their dinner. They talked for at least another hour, mostly a long series of like/dislike questions, partly more about how they felt about each other, and even a few personal secrets. Eventually, Dixie turned on a microphone. “Alright,” she announced to the restaurant, “closing time, everybody. Thanks for your company.” Balto and Jenna got up to leave with the rest of the patrons, stopping when they were outside. “Well, Jenna,” said Balto, “I had an absolutely wonderful time.” “So did I,” said Jenna. “Thank you so much for the evening. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had.” “No problem. Want me to walk you home?” “Sure. It’ll give us a few more minutes to talk.” They headed off toward Rosy’s house. Jenna looked at Balto. “Have you ever been on a date before?” she asked. “No,” Balto said. “No one trusted me enough for that. Besides, I hardly wanted to with anyone I met, until you came along, that is. I bet you’ve been on dates before. Do you mind me asking how many?” “You could count the number on one paw.” “Whoa,” Balto said. “I mean…you’re so pretty I thought a lot more guys would have asked you out.” “They did,” Jenna said, unhappily. “I felt the way you did; I hardly ever wanted to go with anyone. Like I said at dinner, no one felt right. But remember what I said, about how I could feel or see something different about you? See, some men will whistle at me, or they’ll walk up, start a conversation, and then try to kiss me. Sometimes they do things that are…somewhat less offensive, like they’ll be walking by and say ‘you’re looking hot’. Anyway, that’s the biggest way you were different; you never said or did anything like that. You just looked, and…smiled. Whatever this feeling is, it was always the strongest when you were there, and you just smiled.” Balto desperately wanted to simply open up his heart and tell her the depth of how he felt about her, but knew he couldn’t possibly bring himself to that. “Anyway, what made you think I would go on those dates?” Jenna said. “Because you’re nice,” Balto said. “Not that refusing them is rude or something; that choice is yours to make. It’s just, I think you would have done it because you’re so sweet.” Jenna smiled. “It makes me so happy when you say I’m sweet or beautiful,” she said. Balto smiled. “Hey, it’s true. You’ve shown your sweetness time and again, and you are definitely the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen.” “Thank you, Balto.”

They finally came to Rosy’s house. “Here we are,” Jenna said, raising her head up. Balto looked at the house. “Nice place.” Jenna nodded. “It is, isn’t it?” They walked up onto the porch. “Balto,” said Jenna, “you’re one of very few men I’ve ever dated, and I loved it. I enjoyed it more with you than anyone else.” “Thanks for letting me take you out, Jenna,” Balto said. “I had a fabulous time.” “Sorry about getting all weepy on you.” “Hey, it’s no problem, really. It’s not pleasant when others don’t care about how you feel, and I should know.” He paused. “May I kiss you goodnight?” “I’d like that.” They moved toward each other and shared a brief kiss, but even that was enough to make them start breathing hard; their passion had leaped strongly. “Can I have another one?” Jenna asked. “Certainly,” Balto replied. They