Claire = Elmyra

Once upon a time - in the 90's - there lived a cartoon TV show called Animaniacs.  Do you remember it? 

I hadn't really thought much about it until recently when I was trying to describe my daughter's relationship with our new dog. 

You see, on Animaniacs there was a character named Elmyra...

Elmyra loved animals.  She loved them so much that she would hug them and squeeze them as hard as she possibly could. 

Claire has channeled her inner Elmyra when it comes to her love for our dog Toby.  It's a good thing he is indifferent towards her affection.  Well, he does give a tail wag every once in awhile ;-)