The swat at his haunch isn't taken well. As predicted, he whips around with plans of biting that paw right off but what he's met with is a small, fluffy missile slamming in to his side, toppling him off balance.

It's not enough to flatten him out, but he loses his footing to the point of dropping down to the ground, staying low on his belly as he flattens his ears back and snaps his teeth threateningly. He's watching Daryl carefully, waiting for him to misstep- or get close enough for him to spring.