He bends to make the reach a mite bit shorter, no reason she's gotta strain herself on account of his dog being an ass. Once she's up he offers a cut of a friendly smile, something to smooth over the slobbering beast that follows him around. "It'd make more sense if he ain't been fed, but see'n as he has been fed it's just bad manners. He goes after you like that again feel free to punch him in the nose. He'll leave you alone. Won't use his teeth none."

Jayne, in the way all Mabari seem to have, understands enough to whine and lean against Mal's leg all sad and innocent like. It's a lie. "He's a bit of a special case. Big on height and big in weight. Could stand to miss a few meals, honestly."