Maru... actually found himself leaning down. He wasn't sure what Madoka was going to do, but his natural instinct was to lean forward. And then she patted his head. Maru wasn't too sure what to think of this. As a cat it didn't seem so bad. But as a human?

And yet... the head pat... coupled with the words... made him feel something he wasn't sure he could readily identify. Tentatively he tried to name it happy, but it was something deeper than that. It made him feel warm inside. And without realising he'd done it, Maru had lowered himself to one knee so that Madoka didn't have to stretch and strain herself. And there was a small smile upon his lips.

He hadn't ever had anyone proud of him before.