Sam grinned outright, and crouched down to the little girl's level. Or as close to it as he could get.
"Sure she can," he answered. "That'd make him right happy, seein' as how he loves kids an' all." He stroked his hand down Cooper's back then away. "Say hi, Coop," he told the dog, who promptly stood up and walked over to butt his head against the girl.