What happens when your dog decides that being attached at the hip is a full-time job?
For Kevin, a giant, fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog, and his mom, Dionna, the solution is straightforward: lean into it.
Kevin has a repertoire of tricks designed to keep his mom’s attention firmly on him, and his natural neediness ensures there’s never a dull moment in their household.
Kevin’s Master Plan
Dionna Hickox and her husband, Justin, live in Portland, Oregon, where Kevin joined the family years ago. From the start, he turned every day into an adventure.
Kevin has a particular fondness for “helping” Dionna, especially during her at-home workouts. For him, these moments are prime opportunities to insert himself into the action.
“When he was a puppy, it would just start with him tugging on my hair or on my ponytail. Or jumping on my back when I’m trying to do a push-up,” Dionna told The Dodo.
As he grew, he perfected a signature move for commanding attention: stealing Dionna’s beanie.
“He’s like: -Okay, if I take his, she’s gonna chase me,” Dionna explained.
Grabbing the beanie right off her head signals that the game has officially begun.
What follows is a high-energy chase around the house, often ending in silly wrestling matches and always closing with cozy snuggles.
To Dionna and Justin, Kevin’s clinginess only amplifies his charm.
Clinginess As A Superpower
Kevin doesn’t rely on beanie theft alone. He has countless ways to make himself the star of the household.
At family meals, he rests his head gently on the table or a lap, giving his humans the kind of gaze only a Berner can deliver.
“Even when it’s not my beanie, when we’re eating dinner, he puts his head lovingly on our arm or on our lap. And if we don’t respond to that, then he has no problem just batting our arm a few times,” Dionna shared.
Together with his furry brother, Benny, Kevin keeps Dionna and Justin endlessly entertained. From mealtime interruptions to spontaneous cuddle sessions and playful games, he knows exactly how to claim center stage.
Kevin’s antics don’t stop indoors.
He’s a faithful companion on road trips, long walks, and lazy naps. He explores new places, joins every adventure, and never misses a chance to be by his family’s side.
“He definitely rules our life, and we love that! At least 10 times a day, I look him in the face, and I’m like: -Thank you for loving me,” Dionna said.
With his boundless energy, affection, and comical antics, Kevin perfectly embodies the heart and soul of a happy, devoted Bernese Mountain Dog.