People who aren’t really dog people don’t get it. They’re in many ways extensions of ourselves, especially those raised from puppyhood, but even powerfully grateful pound rescues can develop this almost psychic bond.
Reject my dogs, and you’re rejecting me in several respects. Some breeds are more immediately welcoming to strangers, and some aren’t. Such breeds need wooing, as you mention. Your girlfriend is filtering her relationships through her dog, which is not necessarily a bad approach. They pick up on things on an animal level, of which most of us are either unaware, or only vaguely aware, that sort of hair on the back of your neck thing. Dogs live it every moment, in the moment. They’re almost like a radar for their people. Quite the complementary pair, a good person and a good dog.
My newest dog wasn’t a rescue pup but the last 3 were and all 3 of those were considered “problem” dogs. Funny thing is that once they were settled and trusted me they became some of the best behaved dogs I’ve ever had.
The boys are staying home today rather than going to Thanksgiving dinner at relatives a couple of miles away. They'd be welcome, but my youngest is only 5 months old, and the temptation of large platters of unguarded food might be too great. :) Don't want to see a repeat of the Bumpass disaster in "A Christmas Story".