A pit bull on a chain is loud, aggressive, violent, and desperate to bite anything that gets close enough—much like Van.

But just like any other dog, he's got the cutest puppy eyes, the prettiest eyelashes, and the biggest heart.

"Mornin'," he mumbles in that ridiculously sweet old Texas accent, his voice raspy with wake and fatigue as he rolls over in his bed.

He looks so soft in the mornings in all his tired glory, with his half-lidded eyes and gentle expression.

It's a little too early for him to be barking just yet.