It doesn't happen right at first, as all true, deep-seated, romantic behaviors tend to unfold over time. But the first time your Dachshund can feel your mood and you can feel her feeling your mood – you know.

1. When you're sobbing or maybe just on the very edge of breaking into a weep, and instinctively crawls over to you, plopping herself directly on your chest or collarbone, armed and ready to lick away the salty yumminess covering your cheeks. You've never felt more taken care of.

Posted by Nicole Seers by Flickr.com2. Not once, not twice, but several times, you've caught yourself wishing desperately you could just shoot her a quick text: "Hey! How's your day?" "Hi, thinking of you. Love you so much." The day dog-text technology is a reality, your life will be made.

Posted by Sarah Kennell at Pinterest.fr3. All you want to do is protect. Yes, bath time is the worst. But with every scrub, every rinse, every extra squeeze to ensure all the soap is gone, you use every last fiber of your being to communicate to her that is safe, this is good, and you're her protector.

Posted by Paw Paw Fashion at Pinterest.fr4. When they are a bit grown-up, but still choose to follow your every move around the house. She's independent now; She could very easily blow you off and stay put on the couch or carpet or "her" chair, but she just cannot bear the idea of not knowing exactly what you're doing at all times. So she follows you. And you love it.

Posted by Red Curl Gurl at imgur.com5. Having a horrible, long, angering day, and  pulling up to your home, knowing you will be greeted with nothing less than pure joy and borderline orgasmic excitement from your dog. She doesn't care how bad your day was; She's here to make it better and she can't wait to do it, because that's her job.

Posted by Joanne Snyder at Pinterest.fr6. You're fully dressed and ready for a night on the town, but she hasn't eaten yet. You can tell she doesn't want to, because she knows you're leaving her for the night and is too sad to eat. So, down you go, sitting cross-legged on your dirty kitchen floor, just so you can feed her bits and pieces from your hand until she's comfortable enough to eat on her own while you sit there and keep her company.

Posted by Claudia Giles Pinterest.fr7. Sometimes, on a quiet weekend night in which you chose to stay home and out of trouble, when your pup is on your lap, all the feels happen. Her sense of safety and security are palpable through her tiny body, and you know she'd stay right here forever if you'd let her. Why do you ever go out again?

Posted by Dibi Barbosa Saleh by Flickr.com8. You're constantly taken aback by her beauty. At least five times a week, you just look at her and exclaim: "God, you are so fucking beautiful!"