Matt can absolutely hear the little dog-like critter just fine, having assumed that's what she was, given prior experience. She certainly sounds indistinguishable from one, other than the sounds she's making. At least he won't trip over her, even if she does forget to steer clear of his ankles.

He finds Cricket's elbow effortlessly, a gesture he's performed countless times, and this time he sends up a silent prayer of thankfulness that it's not freezing out this time. "What do you name plants?" he asks with a chuckle. "Do they get people names?"