When Pax moved into his new home in October 2020 with his parents, Emily and Justin Thomas, he had no idea that the best part of his new backyard would soon move in next door.
Just a few months later, a tiny puppy named Penny joined the neighborhood — and for Pax, it was instant puppy love.
“They met in March 2021, and Penny was just around 3 months old,” Emily Thomas told The Dodo. “Even then, they played like they’d known each other forever.”
Their bond was so clear that Penny’s family added a special gate between the yards just for them. As Penny grew tall enough to peek over the fence, the daily greetings began — joyful tail wags, nose boops, and what their families fondly called “fence kisses.”
Soon, the two were inseparable. They traded toys over the fence, played tug-of-war across the divide, and had regular playdates in each other’s yards. Nothing could keep them apart — until winter rolled in.
“Pax loves the snow. He’ll happily lie in it all day,” Emily said. “But Penny? Not so much. She’s not a fan of snow or rain.”
When a heavy snowfall blanketed the neighborhood, Penny suddenly stopped coming outside. Pax would stand patiently by the fence, staring toward her back door, waiting — and waiting.
Penny’s absence was hard on him. He didn’t understand why his best friend wasn’t there, and it was clear he missed her deeply.
Thankfully, Penny’s family noticed — and they came up with a plan.
They shoveled a special snow path from Penny’s house straight to the fence, hoping it might encourage her. At first, she was unsure. But love, as always, won.
“She hesitated, but she made her way out — just for Pax,” Emily said.
The moment Penny saw Pax waiting, tail wagging, something clicked. If Pax was brave in the snow, maybe she could be too.
From that day on, snow didn’t scare her. With Pax by her side, Penny found the confidence to step out — and now, their snowy playdates have become a daily tradition.
“They were so excited to see each other,” Emily said. “And once Pax motivated her, she jumped right in.”
For Pax and Penny, friendship is stronger than fences — and now, stronger than snow too.
