I agree with the idea that sometimes feelings have to develop. If your a weirdo like me knowing someone is interested in you can make you immediately on edge when your around them (for really no reason other then you don’t know what to do about it) being on edge all the time can cause you anxiety and you just choose to reject them so you don’t have to deal with it! 8D
It would expecially make sence for her if she recently left a rough relationship that she’d want to just be friends because she dosnt want to deal with feelings for a while.
Having them get to know each other better through taking care of the pupper could help her open up to him as well as show a new side to him and develop their relationship to be more then just friends.